island hopping

Posted by carol (dundas, ontario, canada) on 02/14/19 04:14 AM

I have just checked out a few sites for island hopping. Just wondering if you purchase a hopscotch route of Oban - Craignure, Tobermory - Kilchoan would it be a good idea to stay in Mull overnight to see Iona and Staffa then carry on through to Tobermory, the next Day and on to Mallig and Skye for 2 days Or are the hopscotch ticket only good for a 24 hour period ? I realize this is merely a pass not an actual tour and at each point if we took the car we would need to plan. So my question is is it possible to take in the full history and beauty without the benefit of a tour guide if we take the car and research, or
if its best to visit as passengers and take three island tours?

Thanks Carol

Posted by auchterless

Delaware

02/14/19 04:41 AM

1440 posts

Hi, Carol,

Your CalMac Island Hopscotch ticket is good for your entire time on Mull, as you don't need a reservation on the Tobermory to Kilchoan sailing. When you purchase the ticket, you'll probably need to specify a sailing, just so that they can issue the ticket, which you'll pick up in Oban.

You can also add the Mallaig to Armadale sailing to your hopscotch ticket. In that case, you would need to specify a day and time. However, CalMac are good about putting you on another ferry if you miss your scheduled one, provided they have room on the later ferry. There's no extra charge. The drive from Craignure to Fionnphort is very scenic, although much of it is single track with passing places.

You can visit Iona and Staffa from Fionnphort. The CalMac ferry to Iona runs very frequently, and you can stay as long as you like on Iona, without being at the mercy of a tour operator. Boats to Staffa allow you one hour ashore, no matter who you go with.

You're going to love the road between Kilchoan and Lochailort, and if you have time, you should visit Sanna Beach and Ardnamurchan Point. It's one of my favorite areas of Scotland.

Slainte, and happy travels!

Mike (Auchterless)

Posted by carol OP

dundas, ontario, canada

02/14/19 02:21 PM

103 posts

Thanks for the response Mike. Just wondering if Mull would be a good central location to stay for 4 days and explore the rest of the islands with the car returning to Mull taking the ferry back to Oban to head up to Glencoe to Fort William?
Or would it be more cost effective to stay 1 night in Mull 1 in Tobermory and 2 in Skye and then back track towards Fort William and Glencoe.
Thanks Carol

Posted by auchterless

Delaware

02/14/19 03:28 PM

1440 posts

Hi, Carol,

It would definitely be more cost effective, and less time consuming, to spend your two nights on Mull (one in Fionnphort, one in Tobermory?) than to go from Mull to Skye and then back to Mull. Especially if you are visiting Glencoe after Skye.

Your itinerary would then be Oban to Craignure; two nights on Mull; Tobermory to Kilchoan: Mallaig to Skye; two nights on Skye; then ferry or bridge back to the mainland; A830 or A82 to Fort William and Glencoe. That way you avoid a lot of backtracking - the only road you'd possibly see twice would be the A830 between Lochailort and Mallaig.

Hope that helps!

Best wishes,

Mike (Auchterless)

Posted by carol OP

dundas, ontario, canada

02/14/19 06:56 PM

103 posts

Thanks Mike that helps alot. Do you think we would be selling ourselves short with only 4 days in the islands? I had sent you a private message with the first few couple of days of our drive to Oban. We decided on the Inveraray to Kilmartin path but does this make sense or is it a waste of driving time for limited scenic views?
Thanks Carol