The original plan was a boat trip to Staffa, an island with giant basalt columns, but we decided to not do this when the boat tour we’d booked cancelled the trip due to the weather, and when we looked at the forecast for today it wad clear rebooking with another operator wouldn’t be much fun.
So plan B was a trip onto Iona, a tiny island 10 minute ferry trip off the south of Mull. With a 2 hour drive to get there we decided to take the scenic route and make the most of the chance of seeing interesting things. Otters and buzzards mostly.
Once across (without car as they’re not allowed for day visitors), we headed to the nunnery (ruined) and monastery (well kept), which was interesting and kept us dry for a while! Lots of very ancient artefacts (1,500 year old stones and crosses) and spectacular views back across towards Mull. And lots of drizzly rain.
Once we had dried off, we went back out into the rain and walked north to a deserted beach – more white sand and turquoise sand.
Time for lunch, so we headed back towards the ferry to a hotel we’d seen, which grew their own organic produce (no idea how given how cold it was for most of the year), for cullen skink, before returning to the ferry for the return trip.
Once back on Mull we headed north, retracing part of yesterday’s route, stopping in a few places we’d used yesterday – and saw more golden eagles, deer and buzzards.
Different hotel tonight (thankfully) – with a very nice view, top quality room snacks, and dinner in the bar.
Breakfast – The Tobermory Hotel, Mull
Lunch – St Columba Hotel, Iona
Dinner – Isle of Mull Hotel, Mull
Hotel – Isle of Mull Hotel, Mull