Mull, Iona and the Great Glen - 4 day tour
Mull, Iona and the Great Glen Small Group Tour
4 day/3 night tour
On this short tour discover the dramatic glens and moors of Mull then make the short sea crossing to the tranquil island of Iona to discover the historic abbey, Celtic crosses and the ancient burial site of the Scottish Kings. Tour through remote Morvern to visit amazing Glen Coe then enter the dramatic scenery of the Great Glen. At Loch Ness enjoy a cruise before visiting the moving battlefield site at Culloden. The scenery on this tour will take your breath away!
Price range: £385 - £535
Oban - visit the local distillery to see how Scotch whisky is made and enjoy a wee taste too!
Isle of Mull - experience a two-night stay in the colourful fishing port of Tobermory
Isle of Iona - explore Iona Abbey, built by St Columba in the Sixth Century
Loch Ness - enjoy free time and, if you wish, take a relaxing monster-spotting cruise on the loch
Culloden Moor - take a walk on the battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite Rebellion came to a bloody end
Movie locations – When Eight Bells Toll, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes and Outlander
Guest house accommodation included - hotel upgrade option available
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Edinburgh/Glasgow - Oban - Tobermory (Isle of Mull)
From Edinburgh we head westwards to Glasgow then onwards to the natural beauty of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
Enjoy a drive along the “bonnie, bonnie banks” of romantic Loch Lomond before climbing up and over the Rest and be Thankful mountain pass to reach Inveraray. We’ll make a short stop in this attractive town so you can see impressive Inveraray Castle, home to the Dukes of Argyll.
We’ll drive along the banks of Loch Awe so you can enjoy picture postcard views of romantic Kilchurn Castle. Our scenic journey continues through the Pass of Brander, where in 1308 Robert the Bruce routed the Clan MacDougal.
The attractive seaport of Oban is our next treat. We’ll make a stop here so you can take time out to visit the town’s famous whisky distillery or enjoy some recently landed seafood. If you’re feeling energetic the climb to explore McCaig’s Folly, which towers over the town, will reward you with wonderful panoramic views.
Later we board the ferry for the short crossing to the Island of Mull. During our sail look out for porpoises who often join us for the journey! On arrival it’s a short drive to colourful Tobermory, our home for the next two nights.
Overnight: Tobermory, Isle of Mull (2 nights)
Day 2 - Mull and Iona Excursion
Today we explore Mull, the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, and the sacred Isle of Iona.
From Tobermory we retrace our route to Craignure, enjoying panoramic views over the Sound of Mull. Our journey continues through Glen More which features some of the islands finest and most rugged scenery.
Later we’ll follow the banks of Loch Scridain to reach the little village of Fionnphort where we board the ferry for the short crossing to the Isle of Iona, one of Scotland’s most sacred and historic sites as well as a place of tranquillity and beauty. We’ll enjoy an extended visit to the island so you can explore the Benedictine Nunnery and visit famous Iona Abbey. Don’t forget to seek out the graveyard of the Kings, the resting place of nearly 50 early Scottish monarchs.
Back on the Island of Mull we’ll return to Tobermory along the banks of Loch na Keal which sits in the shadow of towering Ben More, the tallest peak on the island.
Day 3 - Tobermory - Glen Coe - Loch Ness
We leave the Isle of Mull by using the backdoor route to Lochaline on the Morvern Peninsula. Our journey through this remote area of Scotland will take us through Glen Geal then along the banks of Loch Sunart.
We’ll board another ferry for the short crossing of the Corran Narrows - during the sail can you spot the peak of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain? Glen Coe has an unforgettable impact on everyone who visits it. This dramatic landscape of towering peaks and sweeping glens is truly awe-inspiring. We’ll make a stop so you can savour the unique atmosphere of this special place.
You’ll join a new group of travelling companions with a different driver/guide in Glen Coe for the next part of your tour.
We’ll enjoy breathtaking sights as we make our way from Fort William through the Great Glen towards Loch Ness. This picturesque landscape is laced with fast flowing rivers and deep lochs. As we make our way northwards through this majestic scenery you’ll hear stories of bloody clan feuds and epic battles.
Overnight: Fort Augustus/Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness
Day 4 - Loch Ness - Culloden Moor - Edinburgh/Glasgow
It’s a monster start to today as we make our way along the banks of Loch Ness. There’s the chance to enjoy a cruise on the loch to get fabulous views of ruined Urquhart Castle.
Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, boasts an attractive location straddling the banks of the River Ness. We should get good views of its famous castle as we make our way through the city en-route to historic Drumossie Moor. It was here in 1746 that the Battle of Culloden took place between Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army and the troops of the British Army. It was to be the last battle ever fought on British soil and the Jacobite forces were routed. As we will discover this bloody battle changed Highland life and culture forever.
No visit to Scotland would be complete without a visit to a Whisky Distillery so we’ll make a stop so that you can enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour followed by a wee taste of the end product!
Our journey continues with scenic views of the Cairngorm Mountains then through the dramatic scenery of the Drumochter Pass. We’ll make a stop for afternoon tea before making the last part of journey together towards Perth and onwards to Edinburgh.
If you started your tour in Glasgow the coach will pause at Edinburgh Waverley Station. Here you catch the express train back to Glasgow. The train operates every 30 minutes and the journey time is only 50 minutes or so. The fare is included in the cost of the tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Small Group Tour?
With an average of just 16 passengers (and never more than 20) a Small Group Tour will provide a more intimate and flexible travelling experience. These tours are carefully planned to travel off the highways so you’ll discover quaint villages and picturesque vistas that other tours just can’t access. All the small group tours that we feature are operated by purpose built luxury minicoaches that feature air-conditioning, panoramic windows, wifi, usb charging points and comfortable seating. Each group is led by an experienced driver/guide who will entertain and inform you with stories of our history, nature and folklore. Comfortable guest house accommodation with en-suite bathrooms, tv and other amenities is included in the price of all tours. You can choose to upgrade to hotel accommodation, at extra cost, if you wish. A delicious Scottish breakfast is included each morning of your stay. If you’ve got more time to spare a series of extraordinary itineraries has been created by combining one or more shorter tours. Seamless in operation these unique holidays allow you to discover even more of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands. A feature of these tours is that you will travel with a different driver/guide and fellow travellers for each portion of the itinerary.
What are the optional extras on this tour and how much do they cost?
To give you complete choice admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour. The tour itinerary has been carefully designed to provide sufficient time for you to visit these attractions:
Oban Malt Whisky Distillery
Iona Abbey and Nunnery
Loch Ness Cruise
If you click on the links above they will provide you with more information on each attraction including current admission prices. In some cases a special discount is offered to tour passengers, your driver/guide will provide details if this applies.
Please note that credit/debit cards are not always accepted so it is recommended that you carry sufficient cash with you should you want to make a visit.
Tell me about my accommodation and which type of room should I choose?
The cost of accommodation is included in the price of your tour. On this tour you can choose between Guesthouse/B&B or Hotel accommodation: Guesthouse and B&B. The guesthouses and B&Bs are family run and offer comfortable accommodation in bedrooms that have en-suite bathrooms, tv, tea/coffee making facilities and other facilities. Bedding, towels and basic toiletries are provided. Some guesthouses and B&B’s offer enhanced facilities such as a resident’s lounge where you can relax with other guests. Hotel. We select comfortable hotels that are a minimum of 3 stars with bedrooms featuring en-suite bathrooms, television, tea and coffee making facilities and other amenities. Most have restaurants offering a selection of Scottish and international dishes as well as comfortable bars where you can relax and un-wind. Accommodation is spread throughout the communities that we stay in and are seldom more than a 10/15 minute walk from the town or village centre.
Tell me what the visit to a whisky distillery will be like?
A visit to a traditional whisky distillery is a feast for all the senses. After a warm welcome you’ll normally have a short audio/visual presentation on the the history of the distillery and the traditional methods used in the distilling process. Next is a tour of the distillery where you you will experience all stages of the whisky making process from mashing and fermenting to distilling and maturation. Your tour will end with a tutored tasting of a malt whisky and the opportunity to buy a souvenir of your visit in the distillery shop.
Tell me more about the optional Loch Ness Cruise?
Mount your very own Nessie adventure by taking a one hour cruise to explore the deep, dark and mysterious waters of Loch Ness. The cruise boat is equipped with on-board sonar, comfortable seating inside and out as well as toilets. Refreshments are available for purchase or you can bring packed food. You can purchase a ticket from your driver/guide on the day of the tour and payment is in cash only.
Inclusions
Accommodation
- 3 nights guest house or hotel accommodation
- Location: Tobermory, Isle of Mull (2) and Fort Augustus/Drumnadrochit (1)
Meals
- Scottish/Continental breakfast (3)
Tour Essentials
- Transportation by luxury air-conditioned minicoach with wifi and usb charging points
- Live commentary in English
- Services of an experienced driver/guide
- Service charges and taxes
Exclusions
- Admission charges
- Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
- Gratuity to your driver/guide
Departure information
From Glasgow
From Parish Hall Coach Tour Stop
266 George Street
Glasgow G1 1QX
Check-in: 09:30 hrs
Tour Departs: 09:45 hrs
Tour Returns: 20:00 hrs
From Edinburgh
From 1 Parliament Square
Royal Mile/High Street
Edinburgh EH1 1RE
Check-in: 08:15 hrs
Tour Departs: 08:30 hrs
Tour Returns: 19:00 hrs
Child details
Concession discount applies to adults aged 60 years and above; students and children aged 3 to 15 years inclusive.
We’re really sorry but children aged under 3 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Price Notes
Accommodation
The price of this tour includes guest house accommodation with en-suite bathroom. You can up-grade to hotel accommodation at extra cost during the booking process.
Luggage Allowance
One medium sized suitcase/bag per person (maximum weight: 15 kilos)
Admission Prices
In order to give you maximum flexibility admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour.
Flexi-tour
This tour departs from Edinburgh and Glasgow. You can choose to return to either city at no extra charge! Please make your selection during the booking process.
FAQ's
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
HEX 02879
