janisj

I wouldn't go to Mull and just do Tobermory. I'd want to see the other end of the Isle and also visit Iona/Staffa. If I only had one night (and two would be MUCH better) I'd stay in/near Fionnphort.

Kristina

We have 2 nights to get from Glenfinnan to Glasgow.

<b>Option 1:</b> 2 nights in Oban
Day 5: Glenfinnan to Oban- Stopping where (besides Castle Stalker)?
Could we visit Kilmartin and then back to Oban, freeing up day 7 to arrive earlier in Glasgow (also missing Inveraray)?

Day 6: Oban- visit Mull for the day? If so, try to go all the way to Iona and back? Via a tour or our own car?
If not Mull, what else in the area? Perhaps Kilmartin and?

Day 7: Drive to Glasgow, via Kilmartin and Inveraray if we have not seen already. How late will we arrive in Glasgow?

<b>Option 2:</b> If not 2 nights in Oban, does it make sense to do this?
Day 5: Glenfinnan to Fionnphort

Day 6: Visit Iona in the morning, drive to Oban in the afternoon?

Day 7: Drive to Glasgow via Kilmartin and Inveraray

janisj

I'd do option 2 but stay 2 nights on Mull. Take the Lochaline to Fishnish ferry to Mull. Then a morning Craignure ferry to Oban and explore Kilmartin, stop briefly in Inveraray and stay the night in Luss or elsewhere along Loch Lomond.

Oban to Kilmartin to Inveraray to Luss is about a 2.5 hour drive so plenty of time to explore Kilmartin and see Inveraray.

Kristina

Janisj- Is that 2 nights on Mull and a night in Luss or one night each? We only have 2 nights before we have to be in Glasgow (prepaid hotel).

If 2 nights on Mull, where? Fionnphort?

Kristina

Bumping this up looking for feedback on Option 1 or 2 above.

janisj

If you only have 2 nights I'd stay on Mull.

Then drive to Glasgow

For the drive to Mull, I'd drive from Glenfinnan across Moidart to the Lochaline/Fishnish ferry (missing Castle Stalker but seeing some amazing scenery).

Kristina

janisj- Thanks for the advice.
I get the feeling you don't like Oban? Any specific reason why? Or you just like Mull more?
I'm concerned that if we stay in Fionnphort for those two days it's going to be a VERY long day back to Glasgow. If we get to Glasglow late, that would only give us one full day there.

Anyone else (Gardyloo?) want to weigh in?

janisj

I like Oban just fine, I've stayed there a few times. But I <B>LOVE</B> Mull.

Fionnphort to Glasgow would be a long-ish day. Where are you turning in the car - GLA? If so the drive from Fionnphort to the airport would take about 5 hours.

If that is more than you want to face -- what I'd do is take the last ferry in the afternoon off Mull and drive part way towards GLA. Stay in Inveraray or Luss or somewhere. Then you will be able to squeeze in a little extra time in Glasgow without losing any real sightseeing time on Mull. If you do want the last ferry of the day (or the first for that matter) be sure to pre-book it.

I just personally wouldn't eat a night staying in Oban

Kristina

Janisj-Thank you. Does that 5 hours drive time estimation include stopping at Kilmartin and Inveraray along the way? Or is that just a straight drive?

Because of the rental car, I do need to figure out a drop off time, though I am not sure yet where we are dropping the car in Glasgow. We are staying near the Queen Street Railway station. I haven't rented the car yet, but it does appear that some of the companies have "city center" offices.

One more question, if we do spend 2 nights on Mull what would you recommend doing on the first day, on the drive from Glenfinnan? I assume the second day would be Iona?

janisj

>>Janisj-Thank you. Does that 5 hours drive time estimation include stopping at Kilmartin and Inveraray along the way?<<

No - that is just the drive/ferry

>>Because of the rental car, I do need to figure out a drop off time, though I am not sure yet where we are dropping the car in Glasgow. W<<

I would drop the car at GLA - then you don't have to drive in central Glasgow (which can be a bear) nor worry about city centre agency more limited open hours.

>>if we do spend 2 nights on Mull what would you recommend doing on the first day, on the drive from Glenfinnan? I assume the second day would be Iona?<<

Unless you are going to walk the entire Island, Iona won't take a full day. Spend the first day exploring places like Craignure Castle, Calgary Bay, other beautiful beaches, etc. On the other day explore Iona and take a boat ride to Staffa and explore that island and Fingal's Cave.

If you just have one day plus a few extra hours - it will be light fairly late (sunset around 9PM) so you can explore all evening to extend your limited time. The boats timetables mean getting them done earlier in the day - but on Mull itself the scenery will be 'open' til late'

Kristina

janisj- I'm glad you mentioned Staffa because I really hadn't considered it but now I want to go! The tricky part is fitting it all in (isn't it always?). Unfortunately, we will most likely miss the Puffins.

Does this make any sense at all?
Drive Glenfinnan to Fionnphort. If we arrive early afternoon and are staying in Fionnphort for the night, would we have time to visit Iona in the afternoon of that day?
The next morning, do an early AM trip to Staffa, returning by noon and then drive to Oban (or maybe Kilmartin?) for the night. That way we can stick to the plan of Kilmartin and Inveraray on the way to Glasgow. I think Inveraray or Lusk would be too far for my preference for that day.

Another option is an all day tour which leaves from Oban and covers Iona and Staffa and all the transfers from the dock in Oban and back. But this means we only see Mull from a bus (but is this different from seeing it from the car?). Sigh. Who knew this would be such a hard choice to make?

I'm a bit concerned about the ferries. Shouldn't I buy tickets in advance to ensure we have a space? But how to know which time to book given that we really don't know how the driving will go?

janisj

>>are staying in Fionnphort for the night, would we have time to visit Iona in the afternoon of that day?<<

Sure. The ferry runs continuously all afternoon and the last ferry off Iona is at 6:30.

>>The next morning, do an early AM trip to Staffa, returning by noon and then drive to Oban (or maybe Kilmartin?) for the night. <<

That would be doable but hectic. The first boat to Staffa is 9:30/9:45-ish and is nearly a 3 hour trip. So you couldn't catch a ferry off Mull until after 1PM.

It is always best to pre-book the ferries if you need to be on a specific sailing (for the car actually -- there is always room for foot passengers)

>>Another option is an all day tour which leaves from Oban and covers Iona and Staffa and all the transfers from the dock in Oban and back<<

Much as I hate coach tours -- that would simplify your itinerary. No, seeing it from the coach is not the same -- you can't stop where you want, or walk on a beach or linger at a lovely photo op. You will be VERY regimented because the bus cannot wait even a few minutes for stragglers. Having said that - just staying in Oban and doing the tour would be better than not going at all.

historytraveler

I've done the coach tour and the cons are as janisj's said, but it is also very informative. I had previously been on Mull with own transportation but learned quite a bit more about Mull after I did the coach tour. Not a bad option at all.

Kristina

Historytraveler- that's good to hear. I'm leaning on staying the one night in Fionnphort, but it all depends on if we can find a place to stay. If not, we may choose to stay in Oban and do the tour as the plan of Iona on the first day and Staffa the next hinges on being able to stay in or close to Fionnphort.

historytraveler

You might also look at actually staying on Iona. They have two hotels on the island.

janisj

Check Seaview in Fionnphort

http://www.iona-bed-breakfast-mull.com

Wonderful place, next to the only pub and a short walk from the Iona ferry slip. View straight across the water to Iona Abbey

Kristina

Seaview didn't have a room for our date, but we found one at another B&B. So now we are all booked! One night on Mull and one in Oban at a B&B on the esplanade.

Final Itinerary:
Day 1: Edinburgh
Day 2: Edinburgh
Day 3: Calander
Day 4: Glenfinnan
Day 5: Mull/Fionnphart
Day 6: Oban
Day 7: Glasgow
Day 8: Glasgow
Day 9: London
Day 10: London
Day 11: Flight Home

Rental car for days 3-7, train back to London on day 9. It's quite a departure from my original plan, but I think it will work for us.

Kristina

Rental car question time...

We need to pick up a rental car in Edinburgh and drop it in Glasgow.

In Edinburgh, we are staying near the castle and will be headed in the direction of Sterling after picking up the car. While I haven't decided on a rental company yet, most seem to have similar options for pick up locations; the airport, Waverly train station, and a "city center" location.

In Glasgow, we are staying near the Queen Street train station. The options are the airport, near the Glasgow Marriott or near Anderson Quay.

With some companies, pickup up or dropping off at an airport can add $20 or so to the cost.

I know airport car rental locations are easier to access, but I'm not sure it's worth the additional cost and hassle of two of us getting to/from the airport or any additional rental fees.

Thoughts on best locations?

janisj

Definitely collect and drop the car at the airports. Especially if either is a weekday. Driving in Edinburgh can be a bear and Glasgow can be as bad.

From the Royal Mile area (if that is where you are staying) there are three ways to get to EDI. Walk down the hill to Waverly bridge and catch the frequent Air Bus. A cab. or head down to Princes Street and catch the tram. The Air Bus is probably best since it is cheaper than a taxi and closer than the tram.

At GLA you take an air bus into central Glasgow and it drops you at Buchanan bus station which is close to Queen St station

(it is St<B><red>i</B></red>rling BTW)

Kristina

Still working out the details...

Question about the ferry from Mull to Oban. If we buy a ticket in advance (for us plus car) for a specific time and we miss the crossing, is that ticket then invalid? Or would we be able to us it on the next ferry with space available?