Thanks for giving me the opportunity to tell you all about my trip to two special Scottish Islands. My wife and I decided to return to the isle of Mull and take a day trip to the magical Island of Iona. We booked the Mishnich hotel right in the front in Tobermory. I will tell you all about my stay in this cool place later in this blog.
Our breaks always starts with the journey. We always take our time as travel in Scotland is all about the scenery. Yes. Mountains,Lochs and cool places to stop for lunch.
We left early Friday morning. The weather was not perfect but hey it`s only April.
Loch Lomond was as stunning as ever. I always say if you can see the Ben [Ben Lomond] the weather going to be ok.
Our first stop was Tyndrum at the famous Green Welly. Here the road splits. One goes to Fort William and ours to Oban. There is another scenic route to the port via Inverary but we took the fastest.
Oban is where we sail from. We were there about 45mins before departure.
Please note you must be at the Oban ferry terminal at least 30 minutes before departure. Oban to Mull. The crossing is
one of my favourite journeys. Takes just under a hour.If you`re taking a car make sure you book a ticket in advance.
First place I head to is the promenade decks. Here you can capture your best images. First you should look to the shore at the back to see the whole of Oban laid out. Wonderful views. Look out for McCaig's Folly. It was built in 1897.
After that face forward for views of the Isle of Kerra. On a good day you can see Ben More on Mull. On Kerra there is a monument to David Hutcheson. Famous for founding the company now called Caledonian MacBrayne, or CalMac.
Next up was the Isle of Lismore and the Eilean Musdile Lighthouse. .The next landmark is Duart Castle. Great pics of the castle with Mull`s mountains in the back ground.
Soon you see Craignure. Once docked you leave the ferry and on to Isle of Mull. When on Mull we travel straight to our hotel in Tobermory. Mishnich Hotel was a great base with fab food and drink.
Day 2
Our plans were to have the afternoon in Iona and enjoy the drive along the north coast of the Island in search of the famous wild life. The last time we spotted the White Tailed Sea Eagle. This time it was deer and the buzzard you see in the picture.
Common buzzards are formidable as predators. These hunters feast on rabbits and small mammals. They have powerful talons, they nearly always make their kill on the ground.
Our first stop was the Sandy beach at Calgary bay. Lovely place with fab sea air.
Well worth a stop here on the north side of Mull. Please be careful when driving on these single track road. We had a wee fright as we fell down in to a ditch. Not too bad. No injuries. No bother getting back on the road. Manners are required
when you using passing places.Quick check of the car and on we go. Never a dull moment.
Next challenge was a herd of friendly cattle. Really funny trying to shooosh them off the road. I think they thought we were as strange as them. We now see our first views of the magical island of Iona. Drive down to Fionnphort (pronounced fin-a-fort) for our short sail over to the magical island of Iona. We see white sandy beaches in front of us and of course the world famous Abbey. First stop was the Argyll hotel for lunch. That was fine. Now time for the highlight of our weekend. Iona Abbey was first built in 563. Little remains of the building founded by St Columba. We enjoy a walk through the magnificent building and learning about it`s history. The abbey was a focal point for the spread of Christianity.
Next to the burial ground. It is said that 48 Scottish kings are buried in the graveyard. The late great Labour leader John Smith is buried here. 1994.
After the Abbey we have a pleasant walk through the village. Martyrs Bay Bar is next watering hole. Where you can sit outside and watch the ferry going back and forward. Stunning views.
We keep our eye out for the ferry docking. Another smooth crossing.
Once back on Mull we drive through the mountains. This road dissect the island. Right from west to east. Lovely journey up the cost to our base in Tobermory.
After a quick clean up when downstairs for dinner. Food was fab .Tonight there was a disco on. We felt a bit old for the up to date sounds but we had fun anyway.It was a pleasure meeting up with a couple from Sidney. They were here to celebrate his 60th birthday. The keen golfer was heading to St Andrews next. Dream come true. Mrs Baird had the great pleasure in telling our new friends about her hole in one at the famous Old course. They looked in amazement until I told them it was the putting green. We had fun at the Mishnish.
Day 3 Homeward bound
After a great Scottish breakfast at the cool Mishnich Hotel we say our goodbyes and we head off down to Caignure for our ferry back to Oban and home. Mull it`s been a blast.
Our breaks always starts with the journey. We always take our time as travel in Scotland is all about the scenery. Yes. Mountains,Lochs and cool places to stop for lunch.
We left early Friday morning. The weather was not perfect but hey it`s only April.
Loch Lomond was as stunning as ever. I always say if you can see the Ben [Ben Lomond] the weather going to be ok.
Our first stop was Tyndrum at the famous Green Welly. Here the road splits. One goes to Fort William and ours to Oban. There is another scenic route to the port via Inverary but we took the fastest.
Oban is where we sail from. We were there about 45mins before departure.
Please note you must be at the Oban ferry terminal at least 30 minutes before departure. Oban to Mull. The crossing is
one of my favourite journeys. Takes just under a hour.If you`re taking a car make sure you book a ticket in advance.
First place I head to is the promenade decks. Here you can capture your best images. First you should look to the shore at the back to see the whole of Oban laid out. Wonderful views. Look out for McCaig's Folly. It was built in 1897.
After that face forward for views of the Isle of Kerra. On a good day you can see Ben More on Mull. On Kerra there is a monument to David Hutcheson. Famous for founding the company now called Caledonian MacBrayne, or CalMac.
Next up was the Isle of Lismore and the Eilean Musdile Lighthouse. .The next landmark is Duart Castle. Great pics of the castle with Mull`s mountains in the back ground.
Soon you see Craignure. Once docked you leave the ferry and on to Isle of Mull. When on Mull we travel straight to our hotel in Tobermory. Mishnich Hotel was a great base with fab food and drink.
Day 2
Our plans were to have the afternoon in Iona and enjoy the drive along the north coast of the Island in search of the famous wild life. The last time we spotted the White Tailed Sea Eagle. This time it was deer and the buzzard you see in the picture.
Common buzzards are formidable as predators. These hunters feast on rabbits and small mammals. They have powerful talons, they nearly always make their kill on the ground.
Our first stop was the Sandy beach at Calgary bay. Lovely place with fab sea air.
Well worth a stop here on the north side of Mull. Please be careful when driving on these single track road. We had a wee fright as we fell down in to a ditch. Not too bad. No injuries. No bother getting back on the road. Manners are required
when you using passing places.Quick check of the car and on we go. Never a dull moment.
Next challenge was a herd of friendly cattle. Really funny trying to shooosh them off the road. I think they thought we were as strange as them. We now see our first views of the magical island of Iona. Drive down to Fionnphort (pronounced fin-a-fort) for our short sail over to the magical island of Iona. We see white sandy beaches in front of us and of course the world famous Abbey. First stop was the Argyll hotel for lunch. That was fine. Now time for the highlight of our weekend. Iona Abbey was first built in 563. Little remains of the building founded by St Columba. We enjoy a walk through the magnificent building and learning about it`s history. The abbey was a focal point for the spread of Christianity.
Next to the burial ground. It is said that 48 Scottish kings are buried in the graveyard. The late great Labour leader John Smith is buried here. 1994.
After the Abbey we have a pleasant walk through the village. Martyrs Bay Bar is next watering hole. Where you can sit outside and watch the ferry going back and forward. Stunning views.
We keep our eye out for the ferry docking. Another smooth crossing.
Once back on Mull we drive through the mountains. This road dissect the island. Right from west to east. Lovely journey up the cost to our base in Tobermory.
After a quick clean up when downstairs for dinner. Food was fab .Tonight there was a disco on. We felt a bit old for the up to date sounds but we had fun anyway.It was a pleasure meeting up with a couple from Sidney. They were here to celebrate his 60th birthday. The keen golfer was heading to St Andrews next. Dream come true. Mrs Baird had the great pleasure in telling our new friends about her hole in one at the famous Old course. They looked in amazement until I told them it was the putting green. We had fun at the Mishnish.
Day 3 Homeward bound
After a great Scottish breakfast at the cool Mishnich Hotel we say our goodbyes and we head off down to Caignure for our ferry back to Oban and home. Mull it`s been a blast.
After the Abbey we have a pleasant walk through the village. Hello.Hi.Good afternoon. Friendly locals. Martyrs Bay Bar is next watering hole. Where you can sit outside and watch the ferry going back and forward. Stunning views.
We keep our eye out for the ferry docking. Another smooth crossing.
We keep our eye out for the ferry docking. Another smooth crossing.
Day 3 Homeward bound
After a great Scottish Breakfast at the cool Mishnich hotel we say our goodbyes and we off down to Caignure for our ferry back to Oban and home. Mull it`s been a blast.
After a great Scottish Breakfast at the cool Mishnich hotel we say our goodbyes and we off down to Caignure for our ferry back to Oban and home. Mull it`s been a blast.