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Spring 22 Mull travel report

Hi everyone, I posted here back in February about my spring 2022 trip to the Isle of Mull--thanks for the great advice from folks who replied to me there! I'd had questions about bus schedules from Tobermory to Fionnphort for a day trip to Iona.
I'm happy to report that I had a wonderful stay in Tobermory. The B&B I stayed at was at the top of the hill above Ledaig Car Park--I walked down the steep hill past Tobermory Distillery right onto the main street along the harbour. I did some wonderful walks!

  • On arrival afternoon--Tobermory Harbour to Aros Park circuit, Tobermory Lighthouse circuit (including the optional return climbing up the cliff and walking into town along the golf course). late pub supper.
  • Day 1 Iona day trip--early bus Tobermory->Craignure and tour bus Craignure->Fionnphort (commentary was interesting on the trip there and just okay on the way back to Craignure. I was glad to not be on a whirlwind 3 island tour, that sounds stressful to me). I walked around the north end of Iona, maybe about 6-7 miles but there's no track after leaving the beach and I tromped through the boggy sheep pasture for a couple hours :) I made it back just in time for lunch at one of the hotels!
  • Day 2 lunch @ Glass Barn Cafe and Ardmore Shore Walk. It was really windy today!
  • Day 3 rest day: I spent several cosy hours reading and writing at An Tobar Cafe above the harbour, upon recommendation of my B&B host. Tasty coffee, tea, cakes, and lunch.
  • Day 4-- v early departure to travel 14 hours to London: car->bus->ferry->coach->train->Tube->train->walk

I used the OS Maps App premium subscription to download GPX files of walking routes from Walk Highlands. I highly recommend the app for wayfinding & offline maps access! And I highly recommend Walk Highlands to discover many lovely walks--this is mainly how I decided which walks I could do from Tobermory without a car.

@Pam I am pleased to report that Mishnish pub is still there and still has tasty drinks that are a well-deserved treat after walking many miles each day!

Posted by
797 posts

Nan, I really enjoyed reading this trip report. I am heading to Scotland on Monday, and will be in Oban for 3 nights. I am planning a day trip to Tobermory so was very excited to see this post! I will definitely add An Tobar Cafe and the Mishnish Pub to my list - they both look wonderful!

It sounds like you had a fabulous time exploring the island on foot!

Posted by
28 posts

Dawn I hope you have a great trip! Scotland in autumn is so lovely.

Posted by
6 posts

Just a note if you have time. A trip to the village of Kilmartin south of Oban is wonderful. Kilmartin Museum has great early collections. The pub is across the street from the church. Nearby standing stones and burial cairns.

Posted by
797 posts

Thanks - Kilmartin looks interesting! I will check it out.

Posted by
33 posts

We've just been to Mull and stayed in Tobermory. We were with the 3-day Rabbies tour with plans to visit Iona. Unfortunately the ferry couldn't make a safe docking so we had a full day on Mull. We went to Duart castle with its lovely views and, in the afternoon, several went on the distillery tour. Since we were on our way to Islay, we passed and our tour guide took us to Calgary Beach which is an amazing spot. Dinner at Cafe Fish-i think the best oysters i have ever had in my 71 year life. An unpretentious wonderful spot.

Posted by
28 posts

Liz what a wonderful sounding day! Glad you had such a lovely time

Posted by
4624 posts

our tour guide took us to Calgary Beach

Finally, somebody else on this Forum made it to Calgary! That beach belongs in the Caribbean. Mull, in general needs more love than a docking port to get to Iona and Calgary Beach deserves a chapter.... at least a paragraph.

Posted by
3135 posts

I'm reminded of Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney. It's such a lovely melody, with stirring lyrics that capture a spirit of the area.