Journeys 2025
Iona and Mull, Scotland
Date
Sunday 13th - Saturday 19th July
Nights
6
Cost
£1,220 per person for single occupancy
£940 per person for a shared room.
Description
Mull is a rugged, majestic Hebridean island with truly beautiful scenery and fantastic wildlife. It is a natural stepping stone to Iona, a cradle of Christianity in Britain dating from Columba's arrival in 563. We shall take time to explore both islands during our stay in comfortable farm cottages on Mull.
Walks and Excursions
Our mainly-circular walks reflect the diversity of landscape around us, and will be offered each day. Using a minibus, we shall spend three days on Mull, taking in stunning coastal and mountain scenery, in association with a qualified local guide from 'Mull Another Way'.
Walks range from 5 to 7 miles, mostly on easy terrain but with some challenging stages with rough rocky sections. In all cases the ground may be boggy. Stout walking boots are essential. Due to the remote locations, toilets may be few and far between.
- Kilvickeon, Shiaba and Scoor. This 6 mile moderate route takes in ancient places of worship and clearance villages. Starting from Kilvickeon church and beach, we make our way out to Shiaba clearance village and down to the sea before following the coastline to Scoor beach and cave, a place of ancient Christian worship.
- Lochbuie circular. This fascinating 5 mile gentle-to-moderate route takes in exceptional sites: standing stones, St. Kilda's episcopal church, Moy Castle, the black sands of Laggan beach and a mausoleum. Plus a great coffee shop!
- Ben More. Weather permitting, we shall include a 7-mile walk from Dhiseig at sea level to the 3170ft summit of Mull's only Munro, where the views can be spectacular!
- On two days we shall make the 15-minute ferry crossing over to Iona. One day we shall visit the abbey, founded by Columba in 563 and rebuilt in the mid-20th century to become the home of the Iona Community. We shall join them in the abbey for morning worship before exploring the village with an option to climb the nearby Dun I - at 333ft the highest hill on the island. On our second day we enjoy a 7 mile gentle hike across the island before heading to Columba's Bay, where the saint arrived from Ireland.
Being based in a single centre, each day's walk is optional and there is always the potential to simply enjoy a day of tranquillity and savour the stunning wildlife and scenery around our centre.
Accommodation
We shall be staying at Saorphin Farm Cottages in a peaceful location overlooking Loch Assapol, two miles from the village of Bunessan on the Ross of Mull, the rocky peninsula pointing west to Iona. https://saorphinfarmcottages.co.uk/
Well-appointed single, twin and double-bedded rooms are available with adjacent bathrooms. Breakfast, evening meal and packed lunches are provided.
Getting there
We shall meet up at Oban ferry terminal at 1.15pm on Sunday 13 July, in good time to make the 2.15pm ferry, arriving an hour later at Craignure on Mull. Trains to Oban run from Glasgow Queen St Station. There are a wide range of accommodation options for those arriving at Oban on Saturday or earlier.
Contact
Leaders: Please contact the leaders Phil Craine/Graham Davies before booking a place to ensure a place is available:
Phil Craine +44 (0)7624 437248; philcraine44@gmail.com
Graham Davies +44 (0)7989 991508; gpradavies@gmail.com