The Wonders of Mull, Iona & Staffa
13th – 19th September 2019
Highlights
A 7 day long journey of exploration of the stunning Hebridean Isles of Iona, Staffa and the Ross of Mull, encountering these wonderful places through their landscape, history, geology and folklore and the chance to get a bit creative!
- Visit an award-winning ecocroft and find out how you can work in partnership with this fragile environment for sustainable farming practices and learn how the seas are the roads of these isles.
- Explore the mighty Fingal’s cave on the Isle of Staffa, one of the wonders of the world, immortalised in Mendelssohn’s Hebridean overture and make friends with the delightful puffins!
- Follow a geological adventure across the land of Iona walking in the footsteps of saints to St Columba’s bay, a chance to walk a labyrinth and find some semi-precious stones and then onto the famous Iona marble quarry. Treading on some of the oldest rocks on the planet, understand how these beautiful rocks with their stunning colours were created. As you tred the land you can feel the forces that made it.
- Explore a weaving mill on an organic farm, see the machines at work that make ethical tweeds using natural dyes from the land and sea.
- Take part in a craft ale and delicious artisan food tasting.
- Delve into the past at the Hermits cell and Well of the North Wind.
- Take a walk up Iona’s holy hill to the Well of Eternal Youth.
- Relax on the magical white shell sand beaches backed by a turquoise sea, breathe in the wonderful air and absorb the very special tranquil atmosphere that personifies Iona.
- Hear and maybe spot the elusive corncrakes of Iona, see the dolphins which often grace the Sound of Iona. Walk in the beautiful summer meadows and take a moment to admire some for the islands exquisite native orchids.
- Learn a few simple printing techniques with a local island artist to create something really special to remember your week by.
- Stay in an historic house on the land of the original Iona Abby with its own housekeeper, surrounded by fields with outstanding views of the Abbey and to the islands North and South of Iona.
- Just relax, have a wonderful week and leave this special place feeling really recharged.
Mull has been over the centuries mentioned in Gaelic song “the fairest” this beauty runs through its veins geologically and creates the varied landscape you see. With an expert geologist, we will get to understand this landscape. When thinking of Mull think of it as Iceland 60 million years from now, great forces have created this magical landscape. A trip to beautiful Ardalanish Bay will bring this all to life. The area has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. With your specialist guide discover intriguing rock formations only found there, including large garnets! All set within the backdrop of an ancient hill fort.
“The Isle of Mull is of Isles the fairest,
Of ocean’s gems ‘tis the first and rarest;
Green grassy island of sparkling fountains,
Of waving woods and high tow’ring mountains.”
Dugald MacPhail
The whole trip will be guided showing you some of the secrets of these places and making the landscape come alive. Your guides for this tour are James Westland and Sarah Ewing. Please contact for more information.
“Walking is the great adventure, the first meditation, a practice of heartiness and soul primary to humankind. Walking is the exact balance between spirit and humanity”
Gary Snyder
Pricing and Booking
The total cost of this 6 – day tour is £975.
This tour is now full
This price is based on double occupancy, some rooms are available on a single occupancy basis on request for an extra fee.
A deposit of £500 will secure your place on any tour; reservations are accepted on a first come first serve basis. The balance must be paid in full 2 months (60 days) before the start date of the tour. If the balance is not paid by this date, we reserve the right to regard the reservation as cancelled.
To book this tour, please click on the link below and you will be taken to a registration form and upon completion you will be guided to a payment page through PayPal’s secure site.
We very much look forward to welcoming you on your special trip to the Hebrides!
- Overnight accommodation in a beautiful island home with its own housekeeper. Fees are based on double occupancy, single occupancy at an extra charge.
- Intimate tour group 10 people maximum
- Hearty Scottish breakfasts
- Lunches and dinners as noted on the tour
- Craft ale/cider and artisan delicacies tasting
- Personal full-time tour guides with expert local knowledge
- All transportation costs to sites listed on the Itinerary
For more details please see additional information
Additional Information
What is included in the tour?
- Accommodation in a beautiful island home with its own housekeeper. Fees are based on double occupancy, single occupancy at an extra charge.
- Intimate tour group 10 people maximum
- Hearty Scottish breakfasts
- Lunches and dinner as noted on the tour
- Artisan food and craft ale/cider tasting
- Admissions to all attractions listed on the tour itinerary
- All transportation to sites listed on the itinerary
- Personal full-time tour guides with expert local knowledge
What is not included?
- Airfare (we can offer guidance on best ways to book)
- Expenses before and after the tour
- Lunches and dinners (except where specified)
- Any side trips or excursions guest do outside of the set itinerary
- Gifts, souvenirs, laundry, cleaning, telephone calls, telexes, faxes, cables, wines, liquors, beer, mineral water, soft drinks and incidental expenditures
- Porterage – we carry our own bags, always
- Tips for tour guides, hotel staff
Weather
Scotland is a land of sunshine, mists, wind, rain and anything else it feels like doing. Conditions can change quickly but tours will not be cancelled due to poor weather. There might be slightly altered itineraries but tours will still go ahead. The most important thing is to be prepared for all weather conditions to ensure you are comfortable. Some of the most amazing photos can be taken just before or after storms the light can be incredibly intense and certainly brings you closer to nature! Highland locals would say it is possible to experience all four seasons in one day and if you don’t like the weather – just wait 20 minutes!
What to bring
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Walking pole (if required)
- Sturdy shoes or walking boots
- Rucksack
- Diary and paints if you like to record your trip
- Swimming Costume/Trunks – yes people do swim in Scotland!
What is the Cancellation Policy
In the event of cancellation before 26th March 2019. Your deposit will only be refunded if your place is filled by someone else, in which case it will be refunded minus an administration fee.
In the event of cancellation on or after 26th March 2019, no refunds will be issued unless your place can be filled by someone else, in which case all monies paid will be refunded, minus an administration fee.
All cancellations must be received in writing.
Smoking Policy
Please note all properties we stay in, follow a strict no smoking policy, no smoking is allowed on or near the properties or whilst in transit from site to site. Scotland has strict no smoking laws. It is now illegal to smoke in and around accommodation and public interiors. To make it comfortable for all on our tours no smoking is allowed at the tours sites either.
Travel Insurance
We recommend you take out travel insurance.