No -- I personally would 100% (actually 10000000%) not leave the car in Oban and hope to visit Mull by public transport. I would only try to do Mull by bus if I simply couldn't drive.

Most people stay in Tobermory if for no other reason, simply because that is where 80% of the accommodation on he island are . . . You would be driving those single track roads no matter where you stay. So neither is more convenient than the other time wise. I like Tobermory but of my 4 stays on Mull I've stayed there once and in Fionnphort twice (and once in another more remote place). I prefer Fionnphort mostly because of the foot ferry to Iona and being nearer / shorter boat trip to Staffa. Plus I really enjoyed Seaview. Either Tobermory or Fionnphort would be fine. The driving is slow to/from both places - no difference there.

Tobermory is a shorter drive to the Craignure ferry and Calgary Bay but a longer drive to some of my favorite places on the island.

Scotland summer 2025
 

sCOTLAND MAC IS IT APPLECROSS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT WITH THE PUB AND WALLED GARDEN??

Scotland summer 2025
 

Scotland mac can you recommend some lodging around torridon please

Scotland summer 2025
 

Is it worth spending a day going to Dornoch from Inverness and Tain for the Glenmorrangie distillery.How long does it take to get there from Inverness?

Dornoch Cathedral is interesting and the golf course is one of the best in the world. But on a semi-rushed itinerary (your month is rapidly filling up) maybe not worth the time investment.

As for Glenmorangie . . . Honestly every distillery tour is pretty much like every other distillery tour. Unless Glenmorangie is the only single malt you drink -- I wouldn't. Visit any one distillery that is convenient during your touring -- Oban, or Tobermory, or Talisker, or Macallan or Glenfiddich or or or . . . and then to sample other single malts do it in pubs or at the Whisky centre in Edinburgh.

You could try the Alltan Annexe in Shieldaig…never stayed but passed by it often.
Also Rechullin Cottage in Torridon/Inveralligin which I’ve stayed in several times.The owner usually looks for a minimum three nights but it’s worth checking if you put in the dates.Some places have not opened their bookings that far ahead and are showing unavailable at present.
Have you check out The Stables accommodation which is part of the Torridon Hotel? (5 star luxury but these units are cheaper though still pricey.) You take breakfast in the hotel which is a major meal in itself.Fab location.

The Taigh an Eilean Hotel in Shieldaig is very nice, again pricey but worth a look.Lovely location too right by the shore in the pretty village.

Meant to add…my idea of Tobermory was as a second night stay.Travelling to Fionnphort on Day 1 from Oban, about an hour minimum on that single track road.Beautiful scenery.You could also stop before that once off the ferry at Craignure and have a coffee and home made cake (usually a great choice) in Arlene’s Coffee shop near the pier.

There is free parking at Fionnphort, signposted on the left.Spend what time you wish on Iona…seeing the Abbey, Nunnery, perhaps a stroll out to the dazzling white sands beaches of North End or simply check out some of the quite pretty wee shops /craft outlets along the quiet road.Lunch or a coffee/cake stop at the lovely Argyll Hotel, hopefully sitting out in it garden overlooking the turquoise Sound of Iona.There is also the Staffa trip potentially, absolutely wonderful , to see Fingal’s Cave(and possibly, puffins if you are up to the walk.)

It would make for a relaxing day to spend that night in Fionnphort before next day, you slowly explore the route over to Loch na Keal and up the north western coast up to Calgary Beach.This area is formally designated as one of Scotland’s Top 40 ‘Most Scenic Areas.’
Then on to Tobermory for the night.Staying there means you are not backtracking the considerable distance to the far south west of the island at Fionnphort.

Scotland summer 2025
 

What about staying in Gairloch close to beautiful loch maree ? the loch maree hotel??

Scotland summer 2025
 

Is it possible to get from Mull to fort William to pick up the steam train to Mallaig return trip in the morning and catch the afternoon train or should we stay in Fort William overnight??
Second question when hotels/b and bs show unavailable for dates next June is it because they are booked already or that they have not posted availability?

Scotland summer 2025
 

How long does it take to drive from Fionnphort on Mull up to Calgary on to Tobermory and down to Craignure for the ferry and from Oban to Fort William without rushing the trip??

That would be a very (very) long drive and you would have absolutely no time to walk on Calgary sands or explore Tobermory or see anything other than through the windscreen. JUST the drive from Fionnphort to Tobermory along the west coast of the Isle is a 3+ hour drive. Fionnphort to Ft William via Calgary Bay and Tobermory is a 7 hour drive if you are lucky.

There is absolutely no rushing/quick drives on Mull - none.

I personally would NOT try to do the Jacobite train. Sure the scenery is great and sure there is the old train vibe and all . . . BUT it takes about 6 hours round trip. The 'romance' pretty much disappears on the return trip.

Scotland summer 2025
 

thanks Janis If we omitted the Jacobite train and went from Fionnphort on Mull to fort William and stayed overnight there how long would it take including the ferry?

With or without visiting Tobermory? Do you mean JUST driving straight from Fionnphort to Ft William?? If so, that is about a 4 hour drive assuming your timing is right for the ferry (again - without any stops). The drive could take longer especially on weekends.

I am curious why Ft William figures so prominently in your plans? It really isn't a 'destination'.

Scotland summer 2025
 

Thanks Janis.We would only stay in Fort William for the train but that is off the initerary now.
2 questions can we drive to Mull in one day from Glasgow or should we overnight in Oban?We will stay at Seaview in Fionnphort.
We are thinking of taking the ferry from tobermory to Ardamurchan so we dont have to drive from seaview to tobermory to craignure for the ferry.Then drive up to Mallaig and take the ferry to Armadale.how long would this take?We will stay in either Portree or Broadford.Any suggestions/

You can certainly drive from Glasgow (you'd want to collect the car out at the airport) to Oban to Mull . . . its about a 3 to 4 hour drive. BUT if you want to do any sightseeing like Invereray or Kilmaryin or Oban itself - then you'd want to stay over night in Oban.

If Portree or Broadford are the only two places you are considering -- make it Portree for sure. You might also consider Sligachan. No town there but it is in the best location on the island for touring because it is sort of on the main crossroad so it is easy yo get to any part of Skye.

I definitely think the ferry from Tobermory to Kilchoan and driving across to Mallaig/Skye is a great option -- bearing in mind that would eliminate Ft William and the train (which I'd eliminate myself in any case)

Scotland summer 2025
 

Is it possible to drive Glasgow to Mull in one day or should we overnight in Oban?
secondly is it possible to get from Mull to Skye without overnighting on the way?That is one days travel or are we rushing?

my post above answered about driving from Glasgow to Mull.

there is no reason one would need to stop over night between Mull and Skye no matter which route you took

Scotland summer 2025
 

Thanks Janis.I dont know if i want to start out my driving holiday with a 4 hour trip from glasgow to Mull without a break along the way.Secondly driving Mull to Skye in one day while doable am I rushing it?

You asked if you could drive Glasgow to Mull in one day -- I tried to explain that it is totally doable, but depends on your plans. From post #75 above "You can certainly drive from Glasgow (you'd want to collect the car out at the airport) to Oban to Mull . . . its about a 3 to 4 hour drive. BUT if you want to do any sightseeing like Invereray or Kilmartin or Oban itself - then you'd want to stay over night in Oban."

Mull to Skye in one day without a break is not rushing things.

The hotel has a brilliant location by the loch (often hailed as our most beautiful fresh water loch.) It sits all on its own with nothing else around there.Check the reviews as it was closed for some time then taken over.

Re driving from Glasgow to Mull - don't do it in one day, as already advised.

We always give ourselves 3 hours to get from the city to Oban - that's WITHOUT stops.There is SO much to enjoy on that route once you get to Loch Lomond so I'd definitely take a day for the drive and either stay in Oban overnight especially for an early ferry or somewhere like Inveraray for the shorter drive next day.

On route to Oban - Luss or Duck Bay Marina for coffee and a look at the loch; possibly a short boat trip on the loch at Tarbet; the drive over the Rest and Be Thankful Pass is beautiful.Then Inveraray itself with its handsome castle and lovely setting on Loch Fyne. Kilchurn Castle and St Conan's Kirk at Lochawe are well worth a stop.

Don't rush on and off Mull.I know the island well, have driven its various roads many many times but trying to get to Fionnphort then Tobermory via the west/north coast, then off again and up to Fort William would have even me, VERY weary. I'd also be weary going to Fionnphort, spending a half day on Iona and having that big drive up the west/north coast to do after that.
The single track road driving is tiring and slow but of course is made up for by continually passing through glorious landscapes.But you need the time to enjoy them and appreciate them without being on the clock.Hence I suggested overnighting(your second overnight) in Tobermory which is a delightful and buzzy wee place with good places to choose re eating out.

If you do Tobermory to Kilchoan and drive on Ardnamurchan, that is the most direct way to Mallaig and Skye from the town.A couple of hours on paper without stops but likely a bit more than that.Again, plenty to see on route too.
BUT - you will also be driving what I would call the King of the Single Track roads on that beautiful peninsula - VERY winding, mostly very short sight-lines re oncoming traffic as far as Salen. Roads are overall quiet but there is still regular traffic/vans.It is a stunning drive throughout - but they pretty much all are, in and near the west coast of Scotland.The roads get much easier from Acharacle to Mallaig.