Isle of Mull, Iona and Staffa Four-Day Private Tour: The Sacred Isles & Puffin Shores
Discover Mull, a large island with a small population, and it's utterly charming, colourful town of Tobermory.
Iona is ancient and sacred.
Staffa is the tiny island of Giants and Puffins.
5
Day Tour
Lodgings pick up and drop off
Up to 8 passengers
Tour Description
A four-day deep dive into the rugged soul of the West Coast, designed for those who want to escape the standard circuit and find the real magic of the Inner Hebrides. Our journey begins at the Clyde coast, crossing to a landscape where the mountains of Argyll rise to meet us as civilisation fades away. We navigate the "wee roads" of the Cowal Peninsula to uncover the romantic ruins of Old Castle Lachlan and the hidden treasures within the Clachan of Glendaruel. From the architectural wit of St Conan’s Kirk to the fairytale silhouette of Inveraray Castle, your guide provides the standout knowledge and local perspective that transforms these sites into a vivid, lived experience.
The adventure continues across the Sound of Mull, where we delve into the ancestral heritage of Duart Castle and the poignant migrant history of Calgary Beach. The highlight for many is the sacred Isle of Iona, a place of pilgrimage for all faiths and none, followed by a fast boat to the Isle of Staffa. Here, you’ll explore the awe-inspiring Fingal’s Cave and meet the goofy, colourful Puffins (in season). We return via the brooding landscape of Glencoe, stopping at hidden gems along the long road home.
Tour Highlights
Mull - Visit Duart Castle, Calgary Beach and the Loch Buie Standing Stones.
Tobermory - Spend two nights in the iconic, brightly coloured harbour town of Mull with optional Whisky Distillery and Cheese Farm visit.
Iona Abbey - Visit one of the oldest and most sacred Christian centres in Western Europe.
Staffa & Fingal’s Cave - Take a fast little boat out to see to explore the awe inspiring Fingal's Cave, named after that Scottish giant of folklore fame
Puffins (May–August) - Get up close with these goofy little seabirds in their natural habitat.
Loch Buie Stone Circle - Encounter a mysterious, enchanting prehistoric site hidden down a tiny back road.
Firth of Clyde, Argyll & Cowal Peninsula - See Old Castle Lachlan, Kilchurn Castle, and St Conan’s Kirk.
Plus many more amazing sites including the unforgettable Glencoe!
Accommodation
Let us know what your accommodation tastes are. You may wish for a five star hotel or prefer a shepherds hut in a field somewhere. We know some great places so please ask before you book anywhere and allow us to advise.
This tour is perfect for
Those slightly more adventurous travellers with good sea legs.
Itinerary
DAY 1: You'll be collected on day one from your lodgings around 8.30am for a trip down the Clyde coast to Gourock. From here we cross the Firth of Clyde on a small ferry and as we watch civilisation shrink behind us, the mountains of Argyll grow before us. We will be heading for the Clachan of Glendaruel where we'll find a typical little Highland church with something rather special within it's churchyard. From here we will disappear down a little road that often has grass growing out of the middle of it to find Old Castle Lachlan. It's a lovely short hike out there to explore this romantic ruin. The road then takes us up the side of Loch Fyne with more than a few wee surprises along the way. We'll stop for a break in the lovely wee town of Inveraray for a wee wander and perhaps a bite to eat. There is an option here to visit the fairytale Inveraray Castle. Later we'll stop for a short walk to see the ruins of Kilchurn Castle sitting in Loch Awe. We'll also visit a rather quirky wee church called St Conan's Kirk. A wee church with big ideas. We'll drop you at your accommodation in Oban where you can find a seat, get a drink and something to eat and watch the ferries coming and going from this pretty little harbour town.
DAY 2: You'll be collected in time to make the morning ferry to the Isle of Mull. Usually a fifty minute crossing through even more beautiful scenery as the ferry squeezes between the Southern tip of the Isle of Lismore and the Eastern edge of the Isle of Mull. Once on Mull you can explore Duart Castle, the ancestral home of the Clan McLean. A wee bite to eat in the cafe is a good idea where the chief himself is often seen cleaning the tables. We head Northwest up the Sound of Mull to visit Tobermory then on to Calgary Beach. This was the last sight of Scotland that many migrants had as they left, often unwillingly to the new world. The city of Calgary in Canada is named in honour of this emotional last sighting of Scotland. Back in Tobermory we can sample some cheese and don't forget the famous Tobermory Distillery. If time allows, a tour of this facility is always a good idea. You'll spend this night in Tobermory.
Review
The best tour guide I have ever had. It was always interesting and funny. I really recommend it.
- Diana Sitarz
That’s the best tour guide I had. We have visited cool places. And he is really funny. 'Guys I’m here to look cool next to other tour guides so ye in 1 min we’re getting to another place”.
- Jan
Tour Variations
A disrupted ferry service due to bad weather can cause a lengthy detour to a shorter crossing. This is very rare in the summer months but the detour is breathtaking with many wonderful wee stops along the way. The detour is a main tour in itself.
DAY 3: This is the day that we tour all the way to the other end of the island to the little settlement of Fionnphort to catch a small ferry to the sacred Isle of Iona. This is the place where an Irish missionary arrived almost 1500 years ago to set up his monastic cell and bring Christian teachings to the wild pagan frontier. The current abbey is 800 years old and makes for a very moving visit. It is said that this islands name means 'a thin place' which refers to the thinness of the vale between this realm and the next realm which is a tantalising clue to the islands Druidic past. From Iona you'll board a small fast boat that will take you several miles out to sea to the little Isle of Staffa. From the end of April until the start of August the goofy little Puffin birds are nesting here. They don't really mind us humans. We scare away the birds that the Puffins fear. The main attraction of Staffa has to be Fingal's Cave. A basalt rock formation named after that other local legend of folklore fame. This is quite possibly another tantalising clue to the areas Druidic past and there is more to come. Back on Mull you will start to see random standing stones dotted about the landscape and eventually the pattern may not seem so random as we vanish down a tiny back road to visit the stone circle of Loch Buie. Mysterious, enigmatic and utterly enchanting. Everybody feels something when they visit here. From here we head back to Tobermory. Enjoy a wee drink in a local pub and discuss the fascinating day you have just experienced. You'll spend this night in Tobermory.
DAY 4: We leave Tobermory to catch the ferry back to Oban. Perhaps we'll pick something up at the seafood shack on Oban Pier. The road takes us up the West coast until we reach Glencoe. It's an intimidating place with a brutal story. A short hike to a marvellous vista is on offer before continuing East across the vast Rannoch Moor. There are many wonderful wee stops along the way to break up the long journey back home.