Day 1 - Travel to hotel, the base for this short break.
Day 2 - Mull and Iona
From Oban take the ferry to the beautiful Isle of Mull (second largest of the
Hebridean Islands) where there’s plenty to see and do;
for example Duart Castle (ancestral home of the Clan Maclean) that stands proudly
on a cliff top guarding the Sound of Mull. Tobermory is the main village on
Mull and home of the distillery, a dramatic location at the foot of a steep
hill with the distillery signalling the beginning of the village, which spreads
round a broad bay – where dolphins, whales and basking sharks are regularly
spotted in the waters.
From Mull we then board the ferry for the short journey to the sacred island
of Iona (often referred to as 'the Cradle of Christianity in Scotland') as it
was here that Columba first landed after being banished from Ireland in 563AD.
Once Settled on the island, Columba and his followers built a wooden monastery.
This was later replaced with stone when the monastery was turned into a Benedictine
Abbey around 1200. Today the abbey has been fully restored. The highest point
of the island is Dun I at 323 ft and commands wonderful panoramic views towards
Mull, Staffa and beyond.
Day 3 - Oban and Inverary
Enjoy free time this morning to explore Oban (often
described as the ‘Gateway to the Isles’) the unofficial capital
of the West Highlands. It’s a busy working port with fishing and pleasure
craft rubbing shoulders in the harbour. A thriving community Oban has one of
the most picturesque settings to be found anywhere, with houses clinging to
the steep hillsides that surround the calm bay. McCaig’s Tower, a coliseum-style
monument built by a wealthy banker to alleviate unemployment 100 years ago
dominates the sky-line – if you’ve the energy the climb to the
Tower is rewarded with outstanding views across Oban Bay to the Isles of Kerrera,
Mull and Lismore.
After lunch why not tour along the lovely Cowal Peninsula with its spectacular
sea lochs and deep forests. Incorporate with this a visit to Inverary Castle & Jail,
where you can experience everything from a courtroom trial to the dungeons!
Day
4 - Fort William
Today you head for a days excursion travelling along the shores
of Loch Linnhe to Fort William, set on the banks of Loch Linnhe in the shadow
of Ben Nevis. Here you can take time to get to know this Highland capital
with its variety of shops and restaurants and perhaps pick up a souvenir of
the trip.
Day 5 - Stirling or the Trossachs Depart for the journey home, with a visit to either Stirling or the Trossachs on the way.