Isle of Mull & Iona 4 Day Tour From Edinburgh & Glasgow
Duration
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4 Days
Location
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Mull
Tour Type
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Private
Group Size
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Up To 8
Language
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English
Description
The Isle of Mull is a must-see location in Scotland. It has an abundance of scenery, culture and wildlife; and is the second biggest island in the Inner Hebrides. Not only that, but Mull was blessed with fantastic neighbouring islands. ‘Iona’ is famous for being a centre for the Christian faith and ‘Staffa’ for its curious rock formations and colony of puffins that visit every year for breeding. Iona is said to have 48 Scottish kings buried on the island and many who visit Iona describe it as a transcendental spiritual experience which is sure to live on in the memory.
Itinerary Highlights
Total Duration: 4 Days
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Day 1 : Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Kelpies, Stirling Castle*, St Conan's Kirk, Inveraray Castle*, Oban
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Day 2 : Duart Castle, North West Mull, Eas Fors Falls, Calgary Bay, Isle of Ulva* Tobermory
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Day 3 : Iona Abbey & Nunnery, Staffa & Fingal's Cave, Salen Shipwreck
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Day 4 : Glencoe, Rannoch Moor, Falls of Dochart, Callander & Hairy Coos Glenfinnan*
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*Stirling Castle or Inveraray Castle on day 1 - both may be possible but we recommend choosing one or the other.
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*Tours to Staffa & Fingal’s Cave do not operate between November & March. Please check here for availability before booking. Our logistics team will offer alternative options for you.
*Ulva can be added into day 2 see her for more info
* Glenfinnan Viaduct may be possible on day 4 (ferry availability) but wold mean an alternative route which would still includes Glencoe.
Route Map
Tour Information
​Departure & Return
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Tour will start at chosen pick up location (Please inform us when booking, we can pick up anywhere in Edinburgh or Glasgow and offer a hotel pick up service or if you would want to start/end the tour at one of the main airports this is often a popular option.
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*This can be changed to anywhere in Scotland if you get in touch to find out if available (surcharge may apply)
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Check In 0800
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Departs 0815
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End Time (1900) Approx
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**These can be changed by request although this is the recommended start time
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Tour Options
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This tour can be shortened to 3 days by request and would cut out some locations on Mull.
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Day 1 we advise to choose between Stirling or Inveraray Castle interior visit (both possible with shortened times)
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Day 4 ferry dependant we may be able to take the ferry north and visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct or Castle Tioram - (depending on tide times)
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Whisky distilleries can be included into the itinerary in Oban or Tobermory
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Check in/end times can be changed by request and we can accommodate where possible.
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Tour can be done in reverse to suit availability or preference.
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What to bring
​It is recommended to pack suitable footwear for hiking, waterproof clothing, umbrella, suncream and midge spray (insect repellent). We can get all 4 seasons in one day in Scotland!
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Child Seat Regulations
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Due to insurance policies we regret we do not carry children under the age of 2. Children must normally use a child car seat until they're 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first.
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What's Included​
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Experienced English-Speaking Driver/Guide
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Driver Guide Overnight Accommodation & Meals
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Exclusive use of our Luxury Mini Van (Mercedes V Class or Ford)
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Dual Air-Conditioned Vehicle
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Fuel/Parking
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3 Ferries (excluding Ulva ferry which is an optional add on)
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Local Taxes (VAT 20%)
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Hotel Pick Up/Drop Off
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Bottled Scottish Water
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Dedicated Tour Planning Agent
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What's Not Included
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Entry to Visitor Attractions
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Meals
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Guest Accommodation (This must be booked before confirming the tour)
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Ulva ferry (optional)
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Tour Tips​
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Accommodation and ferry availability will need to be confirmed before booking this tour.
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Carry some cash as certain businesses in the Highlands only accept cash payments
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Accommodation on Tour
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We can assist booking accommodation but can not take payment so this would be need to be booked independently.
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Below are the requested locations:
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Day 1 - Oban
Day 2 & 3 - Tobermory
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*Get in touch if you would like to book out of this area or if you have trouble finding any suitable accommodation.
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Cancellation Policy
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If you cancel your reservation 14 days before departure date a full refund will be given minus the 20% non-refundable deposit.
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Full T&C's can be found here
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 The tour will start at your chosen location (Edinburgh or Glasgow; including surrounding area). Your kilted guide will meet you at the arranged time and give you a quick introduction to the tour. We will then depart the city and towards the Scottish Highlands with the option to make our first stop ‘The Kelpies’ - a famous steel structure that resembles two huge horse heads, affectionately known as Baron & Duke. We will then pass by Stirling Castle and over the river Forth towards the Highlands (Stirling Castle can be added into the itinerary for an interior visit if you inform us at time of booking). We will then drive through the Trossachs National Park making a stop at the stunning Loch Lomond. The stop will be in the conservation village of Luss famed for its picturesque cottages, fantastic views, and beautiful pier. Driving west, we will pass through Glencoe and onto Clan Campbell country, stopping at the clan seat, Inverary Castle. Here you will have time to go into the castle or explore the town. Continuing West, we will drive along Scotland’s longest freshwater Loch, Loch Awe, stopping in at St Conan’s Kirk and onto Oban which is known as the Gateway to the Isles. This is our final stop of the day (we can arrive earlier if you wish to visit Oban whisky distillery). Day 2 This day we will be getting the ferry to Craignure on Mull. We can start with an optional visit to Duart Castle, then spend the rest of the day looping round the Northwest of Mull stopping at Eas Fors Falls, and Calgary Bay. Day 2 can finish up slightly earlier for you to enjoy the town of Tobermory, where you can also visit the whisky distillery in the town (Whisky tours must be booked in advance), or there is the option to make another ferry crossing onto the island of Ulva – this can be decided on the day. Day 3 Day 3, we have an early start to drive along the picturesque route southward to Fionnphort, to explore the mystical island of Iona. Iona has been a place of Christian worship and pilgrimage ever since St Columba came from Ireland to establish a monastery here in 563 AD. Visit Iona Abbey and take a walk-up Torr an Aba, the little hill above where St Columba’s writing hut is thought to have stood. Explore St Oran’s Chapel and Reilig Òdhrain, the graveyard where 48 ancient kings of Scotland, including Macbeth, are said to be buried. Weather permitting you might want to get the boat over to Staffa (Must be booked in advance) an island famed for its hexagonal basalt rock columns and wildlife; with puffins arriving May to August to nest on the island. Fingal’s cave is a geological wonder formed millions of years ago by volcanic eruptions. Its evocative acoustics inspired Mendelssohn to compose his Hebrides Overture (Fingal’s Cave) after he visited in 1829. Driving back to Tobermory you may wish to stop at the picture perfect Salen shipwreck. Day 4 Day 4 we will cross over the ‘sound of Mull’ to Lochaline on our first ferry of the day, with only a 1-hour drive before making another ferry crossing over to Corran on Scotland’s shortest ferry crossing which takes only 4 minutes to complete. From here we make our way through one of Scotland’s most famed Glens, ‘Glencoe’, which is truly spectacular, before reaching the wide and remote expanse of Rannoch Moor. Driving south we have options to stop at the Falls of Dochart and visit some Hairy Coos’ (Highland Cows) at Kilmahog before arriving back to your chosen drop off location.
Attractions
Below we have added links to some of the attractions & sites that can be visited on this tour that have websites.
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Please visit attractions websites for up to date prices and availabilities.
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Castles/Abbey can be booked on the day at the gate or in advance online.
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Boat trips to Staffa must be booked a few weeks minimum in advance.
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Any whisky distillery tours must be booked in advance as these sell out far in advance although we can still visit distillery visitor centres for tastings and access distillery only release whiskies.
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Please Note: Some attractions will be closed through the winter months ( December - March)
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Mull 4 Day Tour FAQ's
Our FAQ's can be found here but FAQ's specific to this tour are below:
Where do we stay overnight? We stay in Oban on day 1 and Tobermory on day 2 & 3. Availability for accommodation in the Highlands is limited so we may need to alter the itinerary to suit available accommodation options.
How much luggage can I bring on tour? Although our vehicles are spacious we need to know how much luggage will be brought onboard prior to the start of the tour. We can usually fit in 4 - 6 large cases and 4 small carry on cases. or 8 small sized carry on cases and 8 small rucksacks. Please get in touch for more information
Can you reserve my accommodation? We cannot book this on your behalf but can help locating suitable accommodation providers.
Is the tour flexible to change routes? - Yes of course, we can adjust the tour to do this in reverse or offer changes on any of the days. Day 4 can be adjusted to include Glenfinnan Viaduct but would involve a little longer in the van.
Should we book attractions in advance? Yes, some sites such as Staff boat trips are required to be booked in advance. If you would like to include a whisky distillery, please let us know as these sell out early.
Where will we eat after the tour finishes each day? When booking accommodation please ensure there are adequate facilities nearby. Usually after the tour ends each day the driver guide will need some down time - so transport may be limited. On occasions the driver can assist and provide transport if required.