Driving Glasgow and going to Iona

There is no waitlist but of course, you can always show up early and hope to get on. But it looks like there is something going on with the ferry that might make that difficult. It looks like that whole week is just filled up.

I'm not sure what's going on but Stuart (isn31c) might have an answer for you—he is the forums' expert on the Scottish ferries. That said, I know there are a lot of problems this year with the ferries. I also think you're really pushing it timewise.

Lochaline/Fishnish is a possibility but there's no guarantee, of course, and since you can't book that ahead, you would need to get there asap and get in line as early as you can. And you will have the one small ferry crossing on the Corran ferry.

Edit: After re-reading your post, I'm a little confused. Were you planning to drive to Iona on the day you leave Glasgow? That's really pushing it—it's almost a 2 hour drive to Fionnphort from Tobermory. There's no way you can wait till the morning to go over?

I would say 3 1/2 hours would be your best time, but could easily be longer. Driving times are almost always longer than you'll find on places like Google Maps.

And then the drive from Fionnport to the ferry for Iona is another hour or so, is this correct?

Do you mean the drive from Lochaline to Fionnphort? That's more like a 2-2 1/2 hour drive. Then you park your car at one of the two car parks in Fionnphort (1 is paid/1 is free) and board the 15 minute ferry to Iona.

Thank you so much for your quick reply.

This was my plan: depart from Glasgow in the morning on May 25. Drive to Oban. Get a ferry to Mull. Drive to Fionnport. Take the ferry to Iona. Spend 2-3 hours there. Then drive from Fionnport to Tobermory to spend the night.

But, the earliest ferry I can book in Oban is at 6:45pm…so to get to Mull (and visit Iona), I am willing to drive from Glasgow to Lochaline. Take the ferry to Fishnish, drive to Fionnport, go to Iona, then drive to Tobermory.

I realize this is a very long day and wondering if this is realistic. I appreciate any feedback and love hearing how long these drives realistically are.

Seeing Iona is very important to me so I’m trying to make it work if possible.

On May 26 we go on a Staffa tour, and then need to get the ferry back to Oban so that doesn’t leave anytime to visit Iona.

Thank you so much for your advice

I understand that, and I do empathize. Hopefully Stuart will pop in and have a solution, but right now, from what I can see you're looking at about 9-10+ hours in the car on that first day.

Do you mind sharing the rest of your itinerary? At least the part that connects to this trip? It might be easier to give you some answers if we had more information.

The journey to Lochaline from Glasgow is 130 miles. But part of that will be on a ferry and on single track roads. It is also a route you will want to stop, so three and a half hours is being generous.

Then there is the ferry crossing to Mull, and an hour each way to FIonnphort from Craignure, plus the extra to Tobermory, and apart from sections around Craignure and Tobermory the network on Mull is single track.

It is a very long day, you are probably better going to the 6.45 PM ferry and not going to Iona this time.

There is a possibllity of getting bumped up to an earlier ferry if you get to Oban in time, all CalMac ferries are technically possible to drive up and get on the next, but the capacity has not been there recently.

I love hearing your advice and think it is wise to book the 6:45pm ferry but I’ll pray that we get on an earlier ferry.

Our itinerary for the few days before and after this…two nights in Glasgow (May 23-25). We are from Canada but our son has been at university in Glasgow so we are picking him up from university and having a road trip.

May 25 - drive Glasgow and need to get to Tobermory for one night stay
May 26 -Staffa boat tour, then go from Tobermory to Oban for one night stay
May 27 - drive to Portree on Isle of Sky to two nights
May 29 - drive to St Andrews

Thank you for your help.

The big issue is that this is a Bank Holiday weekend and only two tiny ferries are running.
There are hundreds of normally available car spaces not available from Oban that day.
One or two spaces on each sailing are being held back in case of islanders local lifeline short notice needs. If not required they will be released just before sailing. Bluntly I see your chances as somewhere between NIL and non existent.
The Corran ferry is unbookable, so you could have a line up there as well, of indeterminate length. If that ferry goes tech you have over an hour's extra drive round the Loch.
If everything is already full out of Oban I would think the turn up and go Lochaline ferry will be very, very busy. I can't therefore guarantee your passage on that route either.
From Fishnish I think it is a 90 minute drive to Fionnphort, but will accept Mardees longer estimate if that is her experience.
The only way to be certain of getting to Iona is to book now as foot passenger and use the island bus service. Exceptionally pre book as foot pax as I would not expect even turn up and go foot passenger availability that day.
I know you don't want to hear that, but it is cold hard reality, in a "perfect storm" situation.

From Fishnish I think it is a 90 minute drive to Fionnphort, but will accept Mardees longer estimate if that is her experience.

Actually, I think you are correct, Stuart. I was going by my time to get there, but forgot I was coming from Tobermory. So I think 90 minutes is a good estimate.

According to Trip Advisor long term parking at Oban is available at the Tesco store, payable through a company called Horizon parking. I don't know the truth of that so suggest contacting the store ahead of time to verify, unless someone else here knows one way or the other for certain.

Fishnish to Fionnphort is 40 miles/65 km according to Google, almost to the dot. On Mull's single track roads you are not going to take less than the hour it reckons for that. So Mardee's estimate of 90 minutes is probably accurate for that time of year as a 'time budget'.

I have a heavy right foot, and grew up with single track roads, and when I was last on Mull I did not feel comfortable letting the needle go much above 45 mph, so sitting on the 70 km/h mark for most of that route.

According to Trip Advisor long term parking at Oban is available at the Tesco store, payable through a company called Horizon parking

Many people from the islands leave a car in Oban long term in various places. I didn't know of this company making it official though.

Thank you all so much for your help and advice. Stuart I love your bluntness as I want to temper my expectations. Knowing there is some sort of Bank holiday helps me understand how busy things are. I’ve tried to book the ferry from Oban to Mull at 6:45p, through Direct Ferries and am waiting to hear back to see if my booking request will be processed.

Thanks again!

I’ve tried to book the ferry from Oban to Mull at 6:45p, through Direct Ferries

Cal Mac are the operators - only book through them https://www.calmac.co.uk

I agree—I would definitely be booking with Calmac. Here is a link to the Oban/Mull page and you can book it from here: https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/route-information/oban-craignure/#/

Also, keep in mind that you can always tget there earlier in the hopes of getting an earlier ferry. Sometimes they are able to squeeze you in. It's probably not likely but you never know. People don't show up or they choose a different way to get there. So it wouldn't hurt IF you have the time.

Here is a link to the Horizon Parking in Oban. It does look like they have parking at several places there, including the Tesco, and you can book and pay ahead of time on their website: https://www.horizonspaces.co.uk/listings?lat=56.41525733189477&lng=-5.472602918744087&location=Oban

Thank you all for your suggestions and help with parking.

You are right to never use Direct Ferries! Sadly, since I had already tried booking with them (and couldn’t cancel until they responded to my request for tickets), by the time they responded to let me know if my payment was accepted, the ferry became fully booked. Now the only way my family can go to Tobermory is to park my car for the night, walk on the ferry and take a bus to and from Tobermory . I’m so sad that I won’t be able to go anywhere on Mull other than Tobermory :(

Is the best place to leave the car for the night in Oban at Tesco?

Do you know if I need to book tickets for the bus from Craignure to Tobermory ahead of time? Again, any advice is deeply appreciated.

Thank you :)

No, the bus is walk up, impossible to book.

The ferry must have booked up overnight as when I went to bed it still had capacity. I checked.

I don't know of anywhere in Oban except hotels with 24 hour security, at least with Tesco people are around there 24/7. So Tesco in my opinion is the best of the bunch of four possibles. Normally Tesco are very precious about their parking so it must be the size of this car park that allows them to gain extra income. I would have no qualms about parking there anyway.

These are the mull bus timetables- https://www.westcoastmotors.co.uk/services/isle-of-mull

Well, at least you can get there earlier and have more time in Iona if you go on as pedestrians.

And Tobermory is wonderful! There is plenty to do there if you have the time. The harbor has rows of interesting shops, cafes and restaurants, there is a "catch and release" aquarium right on the water, and so many interesting sites.

You’ve all been so much help, thank you for sharing your expertise, advice, and suggestions :) I really appreciate the time you’ve taken to help me try to get to Mull and maybe even Iona :)