Scottish isles

Fourteen days sounds like a lot for just these two islands. You don’t need a ferry for Skye, they have a bridge. A lot of people take a bus tour from Oban to visit Mull. I am also planning a Scotland trip but had not considering staying on Mull. Ferries are a must for most islands but I have not checked with weather rental car companies allow you to take the car on a ferry.

When are you coming? This will affect whether whales are readily sighted off Skye/Mull.

How are you getting here? Flying/driving? If driving and you want to catch the ferries then yes you need to book Mallaig to Armadale ferry, or if between Easter and October you can take the Glenelg to Kylerhea ferry without booking. Or you can cross by bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh.

Depending where in the UK you are travelling from you might want to consider the journey time if driving as this will obviously eat into your 14 days.

Accommodation on Skye gets booked up many months in advance. But you could also check out Skye Rooms - a group on Facebook if you need accommodation at short notice - i.e. if you are coming up in the next few weeks.

You could very easily fill the time with Skye and Mull. Have a look at www.walkhighlands.co.uk to get an idea of the sheer number and variety of hikes.

Hope this helps
Jacqui (Skyegirl)

Hi, Trev.fisherman,

I don't know whether your travels will take you farther north or west, but a couple of excellent places for both bird watching and hiking are Handa Island, near Scourie, and the Balranald Nature Center on North Uist.

You definitely want to book ahead on the Mallaig to Armadale ferry, as they've been using a smaller vessel for alternate sailings. Mull, not so much. They use two big vessels for the crossing. Plus you can always take the Kilchoan - Tobermory or Lochaline - Fishnish ferries if you're visiting Skye first.

Depending on the season, you could easily spend a week on Skye. I'd be hard pressed to give Mull more than four or five days, unless you are going specifically to wind down and get away from it all. There is an eagle watch on the north shore of Loch na Keal, just west of Gruline.

Best wishes for your travels!

Mike (Auchterless)

If you're serious birders, you might consider Isla and Jura, reached by ferry from Kennacraig on the Kintyre peninsula. http://www.islayjura.com/

I could easily spend 14 days on Skye and Mull. Be sure to visit the northern hinterlands of both, plus spend at least a day at Iona.

We stayed in a B&B near Dervaig on Mull. There is a wonderful road, mostly single track, down the west coast towards Iona. It is wild and rugged and nearly deserted.

On Skye was stayed north, near Stein. We visited Dunvegan, Uig and the Storr.