Mull, Iona and Staffa Small Group Tour

From Edinburgh, we travel west through Stirling and enter the picturesque Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. As we travel along the banks of Loch Lomond, we will soon leave the Lowlands behind and enter the beauty of the Highlands! We'll make a stop in the picturesque village of Luss, so you can enjoy the views over the "bonnie, bonnie banks" to towering Ben Lomond.

At Arrochar, we drive around the head of Loch Long, then undertake the long climb over the Rest and be Thankful pass which rewards us with panoramic views of Glen Croe and Ben Arthur.

For centuries, the Duke of Argyll lived at Inveraray Castle. The castle you see today was built by the Third Duke, who also decided to move the village to make room for his new home. As we will discover, the result was a pretty town on the banks of Loch Fyne that exudes 18th-century charm.

Our next stop is Kilmartin Glen, renowned for its rich archaeological heritage. With over 5,000 years of history, we'll step back in time and explore Dunadd Hill Fort, the former power base of the Gaelic kings from the 500s to the 800s AD.

Later this afternoon, we'll board the ferry in Oban for the short sail to the Isle on Mull. On arrival, we'll make our way to Tobermory, our home, for the next two nights.

After breakfast, we board the boat for a wildlife cruise to the Treshnish Isles and Staffa.

The Treshnish Isles are a prominent feature of the southern Hebrides, serving as landmarks for travellers for over 1,000 years. Named by Vikings who once ruled the region, these eight islands vary in size and stretch 11 km west of Mull.

Lunga is the best spot for puffin viewing, with sightings possible* from mid-April to early August. In addition to their breathtaking scenery, these uninhabited islands are home to a medieval castle and a thriving wildlife community, making them a nationally significant treasure.

Staffa was formed by volcanic eruptions around 50 million years ago. Cooling lava created a striking pattern of hexagonal columns on the cave walls.

The island is best known for the legendary Fingal's Cave, a natural wonder that has attracted visitors for centuries. Its famous admirers include Queen Victoria, Jules Verne, and composer Felix Mendelssohn, who was inspired by the cave's beauty to compose his renowned "Hebrides Overture." There will be time ashore to spot more wildlife* and enjoy the fantastic island views. 

* Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

A memorable day awaits as our tour of the Isle of Mull takes us to Glen More and then along the banks of Loch Scridain to the winding road across the Ross of Mull to reach Fionnphort, where the ferry to Iona awaits.

In 563, St Columba arrived on Iona from Ireland to found a monastery and bring Christianity to Scotland. Since then, Iona has attracted visitors who come to explore Iona Abbey and soak up the sense of peace and history that pervades the island.

Close by, St Oran’s Graveyard has been in use for centuries and is said to be the resting place of many early Scottish Kings, including Macbeth.

Iona is also famous for its beautiful beaches, which are washed by crystal clear waters. It’s easy to find a secluded cove to sit, relax, and take in the lovely views.

Later, we’ll return by ferry to the Isle of Mull and rejoin our coach for the journey to Craignure, where we board our second ferry, bound for Oban.

Tonight, we will stay in Oban, where you can enjoy some delicious seafood and join your fellow travellers for a drink in a local pub.

Our last day starts by travelling north along the scenic west coast around Appin. On the way, we pass Castle Stalker, perched on a small islet in Loch Laich, which is a picturesque 14th-century tower house that was a seat of the Clan Stewart

Continuing our journey, we reach the magnificent Glen Coe, famous for its dramatic landscapes and rich history. Surrounded by towering peaks and deep ravines, it offers breathtaking views. It has been a filming location for several Hollywood blockbusters, including Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Known for the tragic Glencoe Massacre of 1692, the Glen has played a poignant part in Scotland's story.

Heading south, we pass the towering Buachaille Etive Mor, known as "the great shepherd of Etive," before descending into the rugged wilderness of Rannoch Moor, a desolate landscape of peat bogs, lochans and rocky outcrops. 

We continue through the homelands of the great Scottish folk hero, Rob Roy MacGregor, before breaking our journey at a whisky distillery where we can discover how Scotland's national drink is produced and enjoy a wee nip of "uisge beatha".

The last part of the journey takes us across central Scotland to the end of our adventure in Edinburgh.