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Oban- Tours to Mull

Posted by (Lake District, England) on

I picked up a leaflet at my local railway station in Cumbria this morning about the tours from Oban to Mull, Iona, Staffa, Lunga and the Treshnish Isles.
Booking is now open for the whole year with West Coast Tours.
https://westcoasttours.co.uk/faq/

(they are the tours arm of the local bus operator- West Coast Motors).

In particular note that Oban to Craignure is now a 2 boat service (with the 2nd boat, the Loch Frisa, being a much smaller and simpler appointed ship).
This means that the ferry timetable has been recast and morning departures are now 25 minutes later than hitherto, with afternoon returns also adjusted. All the tours use the big ship, not the Loch Frisa.
Although there is an Iona Tour this can be done cheaper on your own, as a service bus to Fionnphort (and also one to Tobermory via the Fishnish ferry) also meets all 'big ship' arrivals at Craignure and Tobermory. It is not yet clear whether service buses will also meet the Loch Frisa sailings as well.

For the Isle of Ulva public transport users should use the 0955 ferry from Oban, the Fionnphort bus as far as Salen, and then Ulva Ferry Community Transport-
https://ufct.co.uk/timetable/

EDIT- The Bus Timetables are now issued for the Summer. There are extra buses for the Loch Frisa sailings between Craignure and Tobermory, but the service bus to Iona is now reduced. To do Iona independently you now have to be on the 1st ferry from Oban. The 2nd ferry you have to be on the tour bus.
See services 494, 495 and 496 on this link (494 is Tobermory to Calgary)-
https://www.westcoastmotors.co.uk/services

Posted by
1376 posts

Hi, isn31c,

Thank you very much for the information on the UFCT. I had no idea that it existed. I've only visited Ulva once, before it was bought out by the community. It's a fascinating place. I've often recommended a visit to Ulva to posters on this forum who say that they were visiting Mull. It's certainly not a usual destination for most visitors to the "big island". It's good to know that there is public transportation to the island - it makes it a lot more convenient to get there without having to have a car.

Since I first read it, and visited Ulva, I have been haunted by Thomas Campbell's poem Lord Ullin's Daughter. There was an excellent article in the Oban Times three years ago, which indicated that the poem may have been based on an actual event: www.pressreader.com/uk/the-oban-times/20200109/281818580767936

Once you're on Ulva, there is no public transportation. So if you haven't brought along a bicycle, it's shanks' mare only.

Safe travels.

Mike (Auchterless)

Posted by
5841 posts

ds,

If you have a car the answer is to take the Staffa Tours Staffa Tour at 1215 from Iona, back at 1515. £30

Take the first ferry over from Oban, park at Fionnphort , foot ferry over to Iona, time there, join the boat then ask to be dropped at Fionnphort at the end of the trip.

Posted by
6397 posts

isn31c, thanks so much for this! I've been trying to decide which tour to take to Staffa and what you just said makes perfect sense! I have a car so can drive to Fionnphort, park and take the ferry over, spend time on Iona, then pick up the tour and at the end, get dropped off in Fionnphort. Is that right?

How soon should I book the tour? Do they fill up fast? I'm looking at probably May 11th or 12th.

And does the tour start at the ferry terminal in Iona?

Posted by
5841 posts

Hello again Mardee,

They specifically say under FAQ's on the website that they do pick ups and set downs on both sides, and will set you down at the other port that you joined at.
My clear memory is that their berth is just to the left (mainland) side of the ferry slip, but checking on google maps just now shows it on the other (abbey) side of the slip. It is certainly clearly signed and in the "village", it's probably just my fickle memory, but I would e-mail them to be absolutely certain.
All these tours book up and there are only two sailings a day. It's still early season in May and a weekday so probably there will be walk on space. Bookings are open now, so I think I would get it done then it's one less thing to worry about. If I'd gone as far as you have (in the other direction) I'd hate to miss the opportunity because of making assumptions of having walk on space.

Stuart

Posted by
6397 posts

Thanks very much, Stuart - I did look at their FAQs but did dot see where the ferry pick up was on Iona. I'm sure I just missed it. And I'm sure you are right about booking now - I could easily forget (and have done that in the past!) so better to get it booked and not worry about it. Thanks so much for your time (again)!

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