Magical Mull, Isle of Iona & West Highlands
4 day tour

  • Highland Cow Isle of Mull
  • Seafood in Oban
  • Iona Abbey
  • Tobermory
  • Isle of Mull tours from Edinburgh
  • Glencoe
  • Calgary Beach

Find yourself in perfect harmony with nature as you relax amidst the beauty of Scotland.

Tour map

Tour Highlights

Boat Cruises
Ferry
Lochs
Mountains
Walks
Beaches
Abbeys
Prehistoric Sites

Glencoe and the West Highlands - Famous for a bloody ancient massacre, this beautiful spot offers peaceful waterside views from the site of ancient ruins.

Taking the ferry across the Sound of Mull - Glide across this Atlantic sound on a charming ferry ride between Hebridean isles.

Tobermory - Famous for its local whisky and charming architecture, this wee colourful harbour town wins over many who see it.

Iona with its ancient Abbey - Beauty and spirituality mingle here, with the near 1500 year old Christian settlement complementing Iona’s ancient majesty.

Remote beaches at Calgary Bay - Bright white sands front crystalline water in this famously beautiful spot for pictures.

Templewood - Explore this ancient site of standing stones.


Your journey


You’ll keep your phone on silent mode on this tour.

Because you won’t want to disturb the tranquil wildlife, unspoilt blonde beaches, and traditional fishing villages. You’ll simply want to take in as much of the natural harmony as possible.

You stay in the brightly coloured fishing village of Tobermory, where the locals live peacefully alongside the wild ocean. You visit ancient abbeys and prehistoric standing stones that have stood serenely for centuries. And you get the chance to see the unchanging geological wonder of Fingal’s Cave.

So take part in this tour and rejuvenate your senses in the peaceful natural surroundings of Iona and Mull.


Tour Details

Starts
Check-in closes at 08:30 (tour departs at 08:45) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ
Finishes (approx.)
19:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ
Luggage
You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
Discounts

Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)

Important information
  • Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
  • Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
Tour inclusions
  • All ferry fares except the optional trip to Staffa
  • Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
Tour exclusions
  • Entry fees to visitor attractions
  • Tour accommodation

Itinerary

Day 1

  • Learn about the epic battles that took place as you travel to Callander
  • Surrender to the majesty of Glencoe
  • Fall in love with the lovely little harbour town of Tobermory

You leave Edinburgh and travel past Stirling Castle to the small bustling town of Callander.

From here, you continue through the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and bristling terrain of the Trossachs, before reaching the wide and remote expanse of Rannoch Moor.

Your drive north brings you to Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of Clan MacDonald in 1692.

After a short ferry ride across Loch Linnhe, you meander through the impressive mountains of Morven to Lochaline, where we take another ferry to the Hebridean island of Mull.

You arrive in Tobermory, the island’s capital, for our three-night stay. Tobermory, meaning ‘Well of Mary’, has brightly coloured houses looking over the sea and is often referred to as one of the prettiest harbour towns in Scotland.

Day 2

  • Examine the geological and mythical wonder of Fingal’s Cave
  • Visit one of Scotland’s most sacred places at the Iona Abbey and Nunnery

You head south to Fionnphort, where you take a passenger ferry to the small island of Iona.

Iona is an island of quiet charm, and is the cradle of Celtic Christianity.

You have time to explore the island’s Abbey, and museum of history and Celtic heritage. There are magnificent Celtic crosses and headstones to see, or, alternatively, you can enjoy a stroll along the peaceful sandy beaches.

In the afternoon, you have the opportunity to take a small boat for an optional trip to the island of Staffa, where nature enthusiasts can seek out the abundant marine life.

Staffa is home to Fingal’s cave, which is one of the most amazing geological sites, and is known as ‘Nature’s cathedral’.

After a day in the great outdoors, we return to Tobermory for the night.

 

Day 3

  • Enjoy the serenity of the tiny settlement of Dervaig
  • Explore the quaint shops of Tobermory

You drive to the remote areas of the island and visit the pretty settlement of Dervaig.

From here, you venture to the wild thrashing sandy shores of Calgary Bay. And if you’re lucky, you may see the huge white tailed eagles that call this area home. 

An early afternoon return to Tobermory allows you to soak up the atmosphere of this pretty town. You have a chance to peruse the small shops, and the local Tobermory whisky distillery.

Day 4

  • See the pristine Inveraray Castle on the shores of Loch Fyne
  • Look down a cascading valley at the ‘Rest and be Thankful’ viewpoint

Departing Tobermory, we head south to Craignure for a short crossing to Oban, the biggest town in Argyll.

Continuing west, you arrive in the whitewashed 18th-century town of Inveraray, on the shores of Loch Fyne. Inveraray Castle is a mixture of Scots Baronial and Neo-Gothic architecture and is the seat of Clan Campbell.

After leaving the town, you arrive in the National Park of Loch Lomond and travel up more than 800 feet to the ‘Rest and be Thankful’ view.

You continue to drive east towards Stirling, with opportunities for photos of the castle, before we return to Edinburgh in the early evening.

Accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

You stay three nights in the colourful harbour town of Tobermory*, the capital of the island.

 

*Please be aware that Tobermory is busy. You may need to be flexible with rooms we're able to reserve for you here. If you'd prefer to find your own accommodation for this location, please choose the 'book your own accommodation' option when you book your tour.

How can I book accommodation?

Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE.

Alternatively, please email us your questions at tours@rabbies.com or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.

Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab: types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.

How much will the accommodation cost?

We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.

As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices, per person per night:

 

Approximate prices, per person per night

Overnight Location

 

Sole Occupancy

Multiple Occupancy

 

(1 person per room)

(2+ people per room)

B&B Standard

£80 - £120

£60 - £80

UK & Northern Ireland

€80 - €120

€60 - €80

Ireland

B&B En-suite

£100 - £145

£55 - £95

UK & Northern Ireland

€100 - €145

€55 - €100

Ireland

Hotel

£110 - £190

£75 - £150

UK & Northern Ireland

€130 - €235

€75 - €150

Ireland

NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)

Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).

FAQs

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.

What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.

For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure

For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure

For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure

For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.

If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.

To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.

Click here to view terms and conditions

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .


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