Is there an easy way to get from Islay to Mull? I'll arrive on Islay on 10/29 and planned to leave on 10/31 with the hope of staying on Iona that night. Right now it looks as if I start at 9am there's a 2 hour ferry to the mainland, then drive to Oban (1.5 hours?), leave the car in Oban, Ferry to Mull, bus across the island and hopefully catch the last ferry to Iona. Other ideas?

Thanks, you folks are fantastic

I'm afraid that's exactly what you'll have to do. In the summer (and Calmac think summer ends on 21st October) you can get a ferry a week, on a Wednesday, direct from Islay to Oban. But not in winter.

Am I crazy to do that in one day? OK, don't answer that....Is is easy to park in Oban near the ferry? A safe place to park the rental for 1-2 nights?

It would be quite a day, but doable.

It's not too hard to park at the ferry terminal (I've never had a problem even when I've parked illegally. Nothing happened

It's right next to the station, so you can use the station car park.

Thanks so much!

I'm told half a day on Iona is plenty - do you have any suggestions for an exceptional meal on Mull or in Oban?

Iona may be a 1/2 day or less - but Mull is worth at least the rest of the day. If it were me - I'd take the car over to Mull. You can park at Fionnphort while taking the foot ferry over to Iona and back and then have the rest of teh day to explore Mull.

A good place to eat is the Keel Row in Fionnphort. A restaurant/pub w/ really good food.

Oh - I meant taking a mornign ferry to Mull. In your scenario - taking an afternoon ferry - I'd take teh car and stay the night on Mull. Seaview in Fionnphort is a terrific B&B near the Iona ferry.

sorry about all the typos

I have a different view about Mull...

Eeusk in Oban is meant to be VERY good, if you like fish.

Well, I did like Mull and Iona very much, however, Tobermory didn't do anything for me. Islay is on my list.

If they still have the landing craft style vessel to cross to Iona be careful not to get wet when standing on deck alongside the vehicles - on the bleak June day I went in 1986 everyone standing in the front section got wet to almost the knees when water surged in through the front, which made for a pretty uncomfortable day on the small island.

I have a different view of Iona - it's much better if you can stay overnight and experience it after the daytrippers have gone home, and even better if you have time to walk to the opposite points of the island. If you just basically want to visit the graveyard of the kings, the ruined nunnery and the abbey, half a day is enough.

On Mull I prefer to stay in Tobermory.

The car ferry on the Iona service has been replaced since Farremog went in 1986. The present ship is the LOCH BUIE which has a passenger saloon above the vehicle deck:
www.calmac.co.uk/mv_loch_buie.html