Scotland in October

I'll take a stab at your question: Would you recommend we stay a night in Oban on our way back as well, or is it not too taxing to take the ferry, bus, ferry and then connect with a train back to Edinburgh.

Yes, too taxing, IMO. In addition, you never know if a ferry may be delayed. Enjoy Oban for a night, then start your journey to Edinburgh fresh in the morning. The B&Bs in Oban are surely attuned to ferry schedules, so I can't imagine your having trouble with them accommodating a late arrival if necessary.

Is your time with husband, Manchester, Rabbies etc. before the women's retreat or after? Not that it really affects my advice, but I'm just curious because it almost sounds like you're describing two different trips.

Thanks for your reply! My husband and I will be together for the first week, then I will go to Oban/Iona for the retreat and he will go back to the states. I had asked about staying the night in Oban as we will have spent a night on our way over in Oban. Good to know that it might be better to spend a second night (our return night) also and then go back to Edinburgh.

Would enjoy feedback on three of the Rabbies tours of the Highlands, Ainwick Castle, and Rosslyn Chapel.
We have decided to stay in Oban a night both on our way over and back. That will allow time in Oban and travel to and from Edinburgh to Oban as our only travel each day. That will still give us time to have in Oban on the day of arrival and after leaving Iona. It cuts our time in Edinburgh, but hopefully that will be best. Any thoughts?

In Oban we stayed at the Glenburnie House. It is perfect in every way: decor, location, helpful hosts, excellent breakfast. It is the nicest B/B we have ever stayed in. http://www.glenburnie.co.uk/

If you are still looking for Edinburgh lodging recommendations, I can recommend Inverleith Hotel, which we heard about from "Pam" on this forum. We were very happy there and especially appreciated how helpful the staff were. It is near the Botanic Garden, around the corner from a main bus route. The neighborhood is mostly residential, but there are at least 3 pretty good restaurants within walking distance, also a coin laundry and a petrol station convenience store.

I don't know if you will have any time for sights on your way to/from Oban, but the town of Inveraray is lovely and walkable; it is on the bus route but not the train route. Brambles serves good breakfast and lunch (they are also a B&B). Inveraray Castle is beautiful. There are several shops in town specializing in Scottish woolens and other local goods.

By train, the stop at Falls of Cruachan is at the Visitor Centre for the "Hollow Mountain" Cruachan hydroelectric power station, which probably doesn't sound very charming but actually it is beautiful and fascinating. I think only certain trains stop there, and/or you have to tell the conductor ("guard" in UK parlance) that you want to stop at Falls of Cruachan, otherwise the train may not make the stop.

Thank you to all for your replys. We have our plane tickets now and reservations for all bed and breakfasts. How soon should we book day tours? I will have two nights in Oban, one night on my way to Iona and a second on my return. Those two nights I will be with a girlfriend - any recommendations for things not to miss while there?
Also, Kathy and I will be returning to Edinburgh on a Saturday to fly back home on Monday. I was thinking Rosslyn Chapel - should we do the bus or take a tour?