Tour Mull and Iona, Scotland

Welcome to two of Scotland’s most popular island destinations, which are located in the Innner Hebrides.

Tell me a little about a Tour of Mull and Iona

These islands together with nearby Staffa are located off the West of Scotland at the southern tip of Loch Linnhe. Mull probably means ‘high’ or ‘lofty whilst Iona may be derived from ‘Isle of Columba’. Collectively, these islands have much to offer the visitor. Attractions include botany (thousands of plant species), photography, forests, history, bird life, walking, Gaelic culture, whale watching, geology, castles, Clan Maclean, whisky distilling and the historic religious site of Iona where St. Columba arrived around AD 563.

Tell me more about a Tour of Mull and Iona

Catswhiskerstours works with guests to design and deliver customised tours. The information below is provided to assist guests with tour planning.

An absolute minimum of one full day (two nights) is needed to get a flavour for the experiences these islands can offer. In the main the roads are slow going and single track with sheep and cattle to be encountered at various times. The visitor should thus allow plenty of time to explore. Particular places and activities include:

Tobermory . This harbour-side town is the capital of Mull and is kept busy with visitors, fishermen, locals and ferry traffic. Best known for its multi-coloured harbour side buildings. Was re-branded as ‘Balamory’ for a while by the BBC relative to a children’s’ TV programme.
Tobermory Scotch Whisky Distillery. Located in the town. Visitors can join a tour to learn about the malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation and maturation process.
Mackinnon’s Cave at Balmeanach, a deep, tidal cave where great care is required.
Eas Fors waterfall which plunges for 30 metres into a sea-pool.
Dervaig in the north-west. This location offers:
- Views of the islands of Coll and Tiree.
- Interesting 18th C church with pencil-spire and Maclean connection.
- Lochbuie, where there is a chapel, Moy Castle and Lochbuie House.
- Treshnish, the start of a 9.5km coastal and moorland walk.
Salen. Here is Aros Castle and colonies of common seals.
Craignure. Location of principal ferry port offering good views of Loch Linnhe.
Uisken Beach, a popular sandy bay where oyster-catchers can be observed.
Tigh-nan-Allt. This name is gaelic for ‘House of the River’. Here there are seals, bird life and a mussel farm. Glen More, a glacial valley featuring two lochs (lakes) and perhaps best known for a variety of birds of prey including eagles, buzzards and kestrels.
Wildlife walks and tours with local tour company.
Boat cruises to observe whales and other wildlife.
Duart Castle. A 13th century fortress and home of the Chief of Clan Maclean.
Treshnish Isles and Staffa. A boat trip for visitors interested in ornithology, geology, photography and natural history.
Visit Lunga and Staffa including Fingal’s Cave.
Calgary Bay on the island’s North-West coast.

Iona

This tiny island (3 miles long and 1 mile wide) has been occupied from around 4000BC. Here there is wildlife, including seals and otters, rugged hillocks, craggy ravines and lots of history. Iona is best known as in important religious site for it was here around AD 563 that St. Columba landed and established a Christian monastery which was the catalyst to the introduction of Christianity to Scotland. Today, the restored abbey is the centre for a multi-denominational Iona Community. Here are buried many early Scottish kings. Nearby is the remains of an Augustinian Nunnery. No visitor cars are allowed on Iona but walking to the Abbey is easy going.