Would appreciate help with public transport from Glasgow to Isle of Iona for a quick day visit - then back to Glasgow at end of day.

http://www.orthodox-iona.co.uk/Getting%20to%20Iona.htm

BUT you ain't doing it as a day trip

And - unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the first train of the day gets you into Oban too late to catch a day coach tour over to Mull/Iona. It is a loooong way from Glasgow to Iona.

You'll probably have to stay overnight in Oban (or on Mull or Iona)

Do you really need to do this in one day? Mull and Iona are well worth a day or two.

Just to give you an idea here is what I found. 8:30 bus to Oban, arriving 11:21. Ferry to Craignure, Mull, arriving 12:41. 12:50 bus to Fionnphort arriving 2:00. 2:30 ferry to Iona, arriving 2:40. To my knowledge there is no way to get back to Glasgow that same day.

Well, here's the quickest way from Glasgow to Oban, but whether you can afford it is another matter;

http://www.lochlomondseaplanes.com/

Jim