See Mull & Skye Differently

Even before you reach your first island base, you’re in for a treat on one of Scotland’s most scenic drives from Glasgow, along the shores of Lochs Lomond and Awe, to the classic west coast fishing town of Oban. From here it’s under an hour by ferry to Craignure on Mull, and you’ll scarcely believe the contrast in feel between mainland bustle and island escape as you make your way along single-track roads, through vast scenery towards Fionnphort, Mull’s westernmost point.

You could easily take most of the day to reach your first stop, dawdling uphill from Craignure, perhaps stopping off to take a woodland walk around Torosay Castle, maybe to explore the shores of Lochs Spelve and Scridian or the hamlets of Pennyghael and Bunessan before reaching Fionnphort just in time to see the MV Loch Buie cross to Iona, returning just 30 minutes later.

Your Accommodation in Fionnphort

Just a few short steps from the ferry port for Iona, your accommodation in Fionnphort is a little palace of a guest house, whose owners have created perhaps the most welcoming and fun haven on the island. As keen artists, gardeners and collectors, aspects of their lives’ work are dotted around the house, with colourful portraits and family pieces displayed throughout. Spotlessly presented, the comfortable guest lounge gives way to just four ensuite bedrooms, each of which features natural tones to the soft furnishings, splashes of colour picked out on a wall or two, and locally sourced pampering and bathing treats provided for each guest. Breakfast is something of an event, a quite staggering array of fruit and baked goodies nestling alongside the very best local produce, helping set you up for a good day’s exploration.

After breakfast, take the short stroll to the ferry port and catch the 10 minute foot passenger only crossing to Baile Mor (‘Big Town’ – something of a misnomer!) on the magical island of Iona. Just three-and-a-half square miles in area, long considered the cradle of Christianity in Scotland and a place of pilgrimage for some 1500 years, a feeling of peace and tranquillity pervades on Iona. Clear waters of the Atlantic lap on porcelain-sand beaches and the island’s elevation gently rises to afford views of the islands of Colonsay, Tiree and Coll, with a line of long-established cottages peering back towards Mull.

One of the most memorable portions of your day will be spent on a small group boat trip to the nearby island of Staffa. Formed 59 million years ago this will be a splendid experience – you will have time ashore to observe the unique basalt columns and spot many of varieties of seabirds that call the island home. Keep your eyes peeled while on the boat for whales, basking sharks, dolphins and more!

Back on Iona, the island’s main draw, which is under 10 minutes’ walk from the ferry – is the Abbey, whose architecture spans around 400 years from the 13^th to the 16^th century, and which is now base for the vibrant, ecumenical Iona Community. Here you’ll find the 10^th-/11^th-century shrine to St Columba, and nearby the Augustinian nunnery, the most complete and oldest-surviving nun complex in Scotland.

After a day’s exploration, return to Fionnphort for dinner at one of the best restaurants on any of the islands or at the friendly and vibrant local pub.

Wave goodbye to your hosts in Fionnphort this morning and set off on one of Scotland’s best island driving routes around the western shores of Mull, perhaps packing a picnic to make a day of it. This terrific route hugs the coast around Loch Beg, Loch Scridian and Loch Na Keal, by the foothills of Ben More – the island’s highest peak – and through the forest at Balevulin towards Gruline. Carry on from here around the northern tip of Mull for the Eas Fors Waterfall and views of the Treshnish Isles before reaching one or two of the best beaches in Scotland, at Calgary and Langamull. Finally, summon your alpine driving skills on the last twisting leg from Dervaig to your accommodation just outside the colourful town of Tobermory.

Your Tobermory Accommodation

Unwind away from the harbourfront in this most friendly, family owned guesthouse. Here you’ll find a peaceful space in which to recharge after a long day’s travel, or a little too much excitement while exploring the island. Cosy en-suite rooms, plenty of space in which to lounge and a freshly cooked breakfast to get the day off to a great start make this an ideal base.

Breakfast here is one over which to take time, readying yourself for a magical day of wildlife-spotting on Mull. Touring in a comfortable vehicle as part of a group no larger than eight, your local expert guide will take you on a full-day’s tour of the island’s wildlife hotspots. Mull enjoys a justifiable reputation as one of the UK’s premier year-round meccas for wildlife lovers, where visitors can expect to see offshore seals, orca, basking sharks and even the odd humpback whale; red deer and otters; moorland and woodland warblers and songbirds, as well as majestic white-tailed, sea and golden eagles, and much more. During your trip, you’ll enjoy free use of maps, top-spec binoculars, and some of the best advice and guidance available.

Later, stroll the colourful harbour-front at Tobermory, and perhaps enjoy a dinner of superb local seafood.

Two scenic ferry crossings today, first from Tobermory to Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, westernmost point of the UK mainland. From here, it’s an undulating drive through one of Europe’s last great wildernesses as you head for the Road to the Isles. First hugging the shores of Loch Sunart, you could easily take a good portion of the day to explore some of Scotland’s least visited landmarks, perhaps the atmospheric ruin of Castle Tioram overlooking Loch Moidart, or the hamlet of Roshven on Loch Ailort, in the shadow of impressive Rois-Bheinn. Soon you’ll join the Road to the Isles carrying you to Mallaig, where you catch the ferry for the short crossing to Armadale on Skye. Once here, it’s just a few minutes’ drive to your hotel in Isleornsay on the Sleat peninsula. On the way, perhaps stop by one of Scotland’s newest distilleries for a tour and nosing.

Your First Accommodation on Skye

Located in, in our view, one of the most enchanting settings on any Scottish island, your hotel in south Skye is a long established property at the heart of the Gaelic-speaking community here on Sleat, with heart-stopping views towards the hills of Knoydart. Formed from a 19^th century shorefront property and its outbuildings, each whitewashed and gleaming by the waters of the Sound of Sleat, we never tire of coming here to experience the traditionally presented rooms, tempting menu of local classics in the stylish restaurant, and the cosy, bustling bar popular with visitors and locals alike.

A distinct holiday highlight today: Just a short drive away at Armadale pier, meet our specially chosen boat-trip partner, who will take you on an exhilarating RiB (Rigid inflatable Boat) trip in the waters around Skye. You’ll go seal spotting around some of the many skerries and experience unbeatable views of the Skye Bridge and the ‘Small Isles’ of Muck, Eigg and Rum.

Time to leave Sleat behind and head for the heart of Skye. On the way, take the 20-minute ferry-crossing to Raasay and spend a few hours exploring this most enigmatic little island. Home to forests, golden beaches, intimidatingly bleak moorland and majestic mountains, with peerless views of the Cuillin Hills and the Applecross peninsula, you won’t believe how much drama is packed on to such a small stamp of land. There’s even Scotland’s newest island distillery to visit should you fancy.

Later, once the return ferry crossing delivers you back to Sconser on Skye, it’s under an hour through some of the island’s most arresting scenery to the village of Edinbane.

Your Accommodation in Edinbane

At the head of shimmering Loch Greshornish, the sleepy village of Edinbane is one of Skye’s most secluded spots, yet sits just 20 minutes’ drive from the ‘island capital’ Portree. Here, your accommodation for the last three nights of your holiday is a refurbished, family owned classic island inn and the ideal place to round off your island adventure.

Downstairs you’ll find a buzzy bar and restaurant, where local rub shoulders with visitors and where live traditional music can be heard at weekends.

Upstairs in this repurposed farmhouse, there’s just six comfortable en-suite rooms, each featuring all you need for a cosy and relaxing stay.

Rightly famous for many years as one of the world’s top island getaways, and recently as a spectacular location for several films and TV shows, Skye is an island of endless breath-taking detail. Intimidating peaks, white-sandy beaches, cute villages, Neolithic remnants and modern gastronomy coalesce to make Skye a limitlessly fun place to visit.

For all its popularity, despite what you may have heard, it’s very simple to escape your fellow holidaymakers on Skye, with near-deserted hillsides and beaches, and more gentle walkways never more than a few steps away.

On the last two days of your holiday, with the aid of our specially created recommendations, take the time to get away from the beaten-track and allow the atmosphere of this wonderful place to seep into your soul.

Another fabulous drive through some of the Scottish Highlands’ finest scenery awaits, as you’re carried past Eilean Donan Castle, through vast Glen Garry and brooding Glencoe towards Loch Lomond and onwards through Glasgow and the motorway system south.