Iona Cottage - Excursions
If your interest is bird watching, boat trips, cycling, fishing, geology, history, kayaking, photography, walking, wildlife or simply relaxing on white sandy beaches, the Isle of Mull has it all...
The deer stalking season in Scotland starts from 1st July to mid October. Deer roam over much of south mull. Please keep to the paths or ensure you get local advice prior to walking cross country.
Here are just a few activities to enhance your stay and keep you occupied whatever the weather forecast!
Beaches
Ben More
Carsaig Arches
Dolphin, Shark & Whale watching
Duart Castle
Flaura & fauna
Isle of Iona
Iona Abbey
Isle of Staffa (Fingal's Cave)
Miniture steam railway (Craignure to Torsay castle)
Mull Eagle Watch
Beaches |
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Knockvologan beach is approached from Fionnphort by taking the road to Knockvologan Farm. Park your car here and walk for about 10mins down the track that leads to the sea. The island of Erraid can be approached at low tide. This was the inspiration for R.L. Stevenson's books, Kidnapped and Treasure Island.
Park your car at Loch na Keal. Take the path that leads up Gleann na Beinne Fada past streams and waterfalls to reach the ridge between Beinn Fhada and A'Chioch. From here traverse west over scree and light scramble to reach the peak (3-4hrs). To descend, take the most westerly ridge and follow the path back towards the farm at Dhiseig, approx 1.5km from the start. An alternative route is to take the path down this descent that leads towards An Gearna and back to the start at Loch na Keal.
Time: all day excursion, 5-8hrs 
Carsaig Arches, Nun's Cave
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Start at Carsaig pier. Walk along the beach and follow the path for approximately 4 miles. There is stunning scenery along this jurassic coastline. Look out for wild goats, eagles, seals and other wildlife along the way.
The Nun's Cave is roughly 1.5hrs walk in behind a bunker of grass up to the right of the path. Inscriptions thought to date back as far as 16th century can be seen if you look closely.
The arches are finally reached after 3-4 hrs as the path follows a steep incline to pass over rocks leaving the walker exposed, so take care.
On your return look out for a rock in the form of a head, visable 100 yards or so up to the left of the path.
Time: all day excursion, 5-8hrs
Iona is a sacred island for pilgrimages to its monastry established when St. Columba landed his boat here in 563 AD. Iona Abbey was founded in 1203 and through numerous restorations completed to its present form by the mid 1960s.
There are remains of marble quarries on the island that were active up until the first world war. Beaches of pebble and white sand, an 18 hole golf course and spouting cave are other attractions. To get to Iona take the ferry on foot from Fionnphort.
Time: all day excursion, 8hrs
Isle of Staffa (Fingal's Cave) |
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Staffa is formed by columns of basalt. Fingal's cave helped inspire Mendelssohn's hebriddean overture. It is possible to take boat trips to the island. This can be an exciting day out especially if you are able to land and visit the cave by foot, depending on the swell. Puffins inhabit the island and fly low over the water as you approach.
Time: 3hrs
Liability cannot be accepted for damage to property nor for personal injury resulting from the use of this webpage. All information should be read as a guide only. Please respect your country code.
Ref: Brown. O and Whittaker. J, 2001 Walking in South Mull and Iona, Brown & Whittaker.
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