sssteve

Janis - I'd love to stay on Mull - I'm just put off by the long drives with a ferry in the middle. Everybody warns about the slow driving in Scotland. And BTW, Plockton is long gone!

Here's what the itinerary looks like now:

day 1 Perth
days 2-4 Grantown
days 5-7 Skye
days 8-10 Oban/Mull
days 11-12 Stirling
days 13-17 Edinburgh

Perhaps I should split up the overnights in Oban and Mull in order to smooth out the driving; like one night in Oban, and two night in Tobermory.

The combo ferry ticket looks perfect. I assume it can be ordered on the Calmac site, yes?

Happy:

You see my entire itinerary. Perhaps we can get together for a dram or a pint!

sssteve

I just checked the armadale-mallaig ferry schedule. During the winter months (thru March) there are only 2 ferries, one at 925, and one at 1645.
Please tell me that there are more ferries in June than just 2.

historytraveler

During the summer months there are about eight departure Mondays-Saturdays and about six, I think, on Sundays. Armadale to Mallaig.

GreenDragon

I found the non-reservation on Lochaline/Fishnish to be good - it meant we didn't have to hurry. There was no wait. The boat took maybe 10 cars, there were 5 there. No worries. I think one leaves every hour.

Our drive from Mull started at Fionnphort, drove down that 30 mile single track road, took the ferry to Oban, stopped off at Dunstaffnage castle to explore, and drove through Glencoe and on to Killin - and go there by 1pm, just in time for lunch. We did take the early (8am?) ferry, but it worked.

historytraveler

According to theaa website it takes about two hours from Oban to Stirling. I'd add at least an hour to that as these sites seldpm allow for comfort stops,viewing stops or sheep,although on that route they won't be a problem. From Tobermory it'll take 45/50 minute to get to Craignure for the ferry. You will have to be there prior to departure and I don't remember what the schedule is...plan on 20/30 minutes.The Calmac website will tell you. The ferry from Carignure to Oban takes about 45 minutes and, of course, it'll take a few more minutes to unload. So you'll need to allow about five hours from Tobermory to Stirling.You might be able to do it in less,but I certainly wouldn't plan on much less time,especially if this was my first trip.

sssteve

First, I wish everyone a happy and safe New Year, and thank you all for the great help I've gotten on this thread.

As for Mull - Oban, I've decided to do the following. Drive from Portree on Skye to Tobermory via Fishnish and Ft. William. This will be about 270 KM and will be the longest drive of the trip. We'll spend 2 nights in Tobemory. On the first day, we'll visit Iona, and Staffa or whatever other places we want. On the second day, we'll visit the eastern end of the island including Craignure, Torosay, and Duart castles. At the end of the day (17:00?), we'll take the ferry to Oban and spend the night there.

This maximizes our time on Mull (2 full days) and also significantly shortens our ride to Stirling the following day.

Is Oban in June the kind of place we can find a decent place to stay when we get there rather than reserving in advance? That would provide us with some added flexibility.

oneday

ttt

historytraveler

Oban has a plethora of B&B's plus a couple of large hotels. I don't think you'll have a problem. I'd have a list of preferred places in hand. The TIC would be able to help also, but I believe they charge a small fee for booking on the spot.

Mimar

To answer your question, ssteve, we drove from Portree, took the ferry to Mallaig, drove the Road from the Isles, had lunch in Fort William, visited Glencoe, then spent the night in a B&B in Crianlarich. That drive wasn't too bad after all, and broken up by stops.

You have been warned about the one-lane roads? With pull-outs? Actually there are lots of pull-outs and mostly you can see well ahead.

We came to Plockton from the north. The stretch of one-lane road going into Plockton is twisting and thickly wooded so you can't see anybody coming until the last minute. And the locals drive so fast. I wouldn't want to do that drive again.

sssteve

Assuming we stay on Mull and visit Iona as well, what's the normal/best way to visit Staffa? Ferry from Iona?

janisj

The easiest is a boat to staffa leaving from near the same jetty as the ferry to Iona. It is not a ferry - just a small boat like a fishing boat - actually it is a fishing boat.

http://www.staffatrips.f9.co.uk/

sssteve

Thank you janis'

From their website, it looks like they have 2 trips a day from Fionnphort and 2 from Iona. Is that right? Is the schedule coordinated with the other sailings to Iona or do they do both - a hop to Iona and from there a hop to Staffa...

You didn't comment on my plan regarding Mull. Do you approve of what I now want to do??

"Drive from Portree on Skye to Tobermory via Fishnish and Ft. William. We'll spend 2 nights in Tobermory. On the first day, we'll visit Iona, and Staffa or whatever other places we want. On the second day, we'll visit the eastern end of the island including Craignure, Torosay, and Duart castles. At the end of the day (17:00?), we'll take the ferry to Oban and spend the night there."

janisj

Oh - I missed that somehow. Looks like a good plan.

As for coordinating Iona and Staffa - don't worry. In fact you'll laugh when you get there. The ferry to Iona just plies back and forth, back and forth, all day long - it is only a 10 minute sailing.

So just get on a boat to Staffa - Iona/Fionnphort will take care of itself. If you miss the ferry to Iona there will be another in 30 minutes or so.

sssteve

Thanks Janis, but now I see a different problem.

It's 100 KM from Tobermory to Fionnphort, meaning staying in Tobermory and traveling to Iona will be quite a haul...........(200 KM), or 2 one-nighters. Or is there a shortcut across the island that I can't see on my maps?? Or maybe there is a ferry from Tobermory?

janisj

That's why I personally would prefer staying in Fionnphort if one is exploring Iona, Staffa, and the S/SW/SE (majority) of Mull.

Or you could stay at Salen which is sort of at the crossroads in the middle between the two "lobes" of the island. There are a several B&Bs in/near Salen

Here is where I like to stay - it is just up from the pier in Fionnphort . . .

http://www.seaview-mull.co.uk/

janisj

it looks like Seaview has 2 websites now - http://www.iona-bed-breakfast-mull.com/

sssteve

I know you just love Craignure, but that would seem to be the most central place to stay for 2 nights without driving too much.

janisj

&quot;<i>I know you just love Craignure, but that would seem to be the most central place to stay for 2 nights without driving too much.</i>&quot;

Where does Craignure come into it? I'm confused -- I didn't mention Craignure except when talking about the ferry. I thought you were asking about staying in Tobermory and the long drive to Fionnphort.

I suggested Fionnphort for easy access to Iona/Staffa and other parts of southern Mull. Or Salen would be good if you wanted to stay in the center w/ easy access to both the north (Tobermory) and the southwest (Fionnphort)

sssteve

I was looking for a centrally located place on Mull that would cut down the driving and also not require me to do 2 or 3 one-nighters in a row. The most logical place would appear to be Craignure.

During this long thread somebody dismissed Craignure as not being very attractive. I thought it was you...

janisj

Nope - twasn't me . . .

Salen is just as centrally located as Craignure - more so if you are talking about access to Tobermory. Just another option.

But I do know the sunsets from Fionnphort w/ the sun setting directly behind Iona Abbey across the sound are simply amazing . . . . .