| The Ross of Mull to Iona
21-28 April
Leaders Cate Macfarlane (01799 513750) and Sue Lewis
The Island of Mull lying off the South West coast of Scotland, is the largest of the Argyll islands and the third largest island
in Scotland. It has a rich cultural heritage and land/ seascapes as
good as any to be found in the Inner Hebrides. Mull has a mountainous
core and
Ben More at 966m is the highest peak. Various peninsulas, which are
predominantly moorland, radiate from the centre. The Ross of Mull is the
largest and makes up the southern part of the island. Rich woodlands
give way to a coastline of sandy beaches, bas  alt stacks and
sea arches. It is said to be the best place in Britain to see whales,
dolphins, and maybe golden and sea eagles, a whole world waiting to be
discovered. Pink granite rocks form a dramatic backdrop to Fionnphort village and is the point for the ten minute ferry crossing to the tiny island of Iona.
Community
has always been at the heart of these islands, from the first settlers
to St Columba’s arrival on Iona in 563. Iona is steeped in history as the birthplace of Christianity in
Scotland and offers an inner peace to the tourist and pilgrim alike; it
is has been described as a ‘place of vision , a thin place, where
heaven and earth, sea and sky meet’. Since the restoration of the Benedictine Abbey in 1930, Iona has been the home to the dispersed, ecumenical Iona Community, welcoming and working with visitors from around the world.Camas
adventure centre, on the Ross of Mull, is the Community’s outdoor and
education centre offering opportunities for those from disadvantaged
backgrounds, particularly young people.
 Walks and activities
- walks are generally of 4-8 miles distance on varied terrain from path
and track to sandy beaches, sometimes rocky & uneven in places.
Walking from our accommo-dation we can reach Traigh Ghead beach and the
deserted village of Tireregan and we shall visit the isolated settlement
of the Iona Community at Camas. Crossing to Iona we can walk to
the North end of the Island and Monks’ Bay, to the south end and St
Columba’s Bay, or simply wander in the village, amongst the ruins of the
13thC Nunnery, or explore Iona Abbey and all places in between. Weather
permitting, we shall take a boat trip to Staffa and Fingal’s Cave. There will be opportunity to attend The Abbey for morning worship with the Community on the Sunday.
Accommodation -
our home for the week will be Staffa House at Fionnphort, with views
over The Sound of Iona. Rooms are twin or double beds & are all
en-suite. Our hostesses, Gillian & Ali (both Associate members of
the Iona Community), will offer home-cooked fare, mostly from
locally-sourced produce.
Getting there
- we meet for the first time in Oban on Saturday 21st April around 1pm.
Then, using public transport all the way, we cross from Oban to Mull by
a large ferry, and then a bus to Fionnphort - our base for the week. We
will return on Saturday 28th to Oban by 12 noon.
Cost: £480
Return to Journeys 2012
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