Isles of Mull & Iona
Between Motion and Stillness
- Distance
- ~123 milesWest coast: 198 km. Via Salen: 116 miles / 187 km. Ferries extra.
- Drive
time - Allow timeSingle track roads. Allow a day for the western drive with stops.
- Time
needed - Around four daysSuggested, including Iona. Adjust to your own pace.
- Best
for - Coastal scenery, wildlife and island history.
- Key
stops - Glen More · Ross of Mull · Calgary · Tobermory.
- Fuel
availability - Plan aheadRefuel before the western drive. Check opening times.
- Mobile
signal - Can be patchyNetwork-dependent. Download maps ahead.
- Public
toilets - Craignure · Bunessan · Fionnphort · Iona.
Set off from Oban and return to Oban by ferry. Choose your northbound driving route on the map.
From Oban, the ferry carries you across to an island that rewards curiosity. The road leads through mountains and small communities to the Ross of Mull, where another short crossing brings you to Iona. Farther north, you can choose the dramatic western coast or an easier drive through Salen before arriving in Tobermory.
Mull gives you room to move. Iona gives you a reason to stop. Together, they make an island journey that sits naturally alongside the WC300 Core Route – and returns you to Oban when you are ready to continue.
Explore Mull & Iona
Oban to Mull and Iona, returning to Oban. Choose your road north; both journeys continue to Tobermory.
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Explore the route
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Find your places on Mull & Iona
Places across Mull & Iona
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We’re preparing our collection of places to stay, eat and explore. You can still explore the journey on the map.
Why choose Mull & Iona?
Come for the contrast. Glen More and the Ross of Mull feel expansive and elemental; Iona invites you to leave the car behind. The western road runs beside sea lochs and beneath high ground, while Tobermory brings colour, food and harbour life at the end of the drive.
There is no need to cover every corner of Mull. Give the places you choose enough time to make the crossing worthwhile.
One island journey, four distinct areas
Swipe to explore the four areas
Area 1 · Gateway to Mull
Craignure & Glen More
Arrive at Craignure · drive through Glen More
Along the way
- CraignureStep ashore from the Oban ferry and begin your island journey.
- Glen MoreFollow the A849 through Mull’s mountain interior.
- Towards the Ross of MullContinue west as the road opens towards Loch Scridain.
Area 2 · Coastal villages and quieter shores
Ross of Mull
Loch Scridain · Bunessan · Fionnphort
Along the way
- Loch ScridainPause for wide views across the water.
- Bunessan & FionnphortChoose a village base and take time to explore the peninsula.
- Sunset on the coastFind an unhurried moment by the rocky shoreline as the light changes.
Area 3 · The scenic western drive
West Coast & Calgary
Gribun · Loch na Keal · Ulva Ferry · Calgary
Along the way
- Gribun & Loch na KealFollow the western road beneath high ground and beside sea lochs.
- Ulva FerryContinue along the coast, allowing time for the single track roads.
- Calgary BayTake a proper pause on the sand before continuing through Dervaig.
Area 4 · Harbour life and northern landscapes
Tobermory & North Mull
Dervaig · Tobermory · return through Salen
Along the way
- DervaigEnjoy a quieter village stop on the way from Calgary.
- Tobermory harbourMake time for colourful waterfront buildings, a meal and a harbour walk.
- The return to CraignureTravel south through Salen for your ferry back to Oban.
Iona is a separate option: leave the car at Fionnphort and cross as a foot passenger. For a gentler drive north on Mull, choose the route via Salen on the map.
The journey
Swipe to explore the journey
From Oban · explore the Ross of Mull
Oban to the Ross of Mull
Sail to Craignure, drive through Glen More and continue to Bunessan or Fionnphort. Leave time for a sunset by the shore.
Read journey details
Book your Oban–Craignure vehicle crossing in advance and allow time to reach the port before check-in closes. Much of the onward road through Glen More is single track, so leave a margin for passing traffic and stops.
Fionnphort is convenient if Iona is part of your plans; Bunessan is another possible base. Two nights in the south can avoid packing up on the day you visit Iona, but choose the overnight arrangement that suits you.
From Fionnphort · a separate island option
A day on Iona
Leave the car behind and cross as a foot passenger. Visit the Abbey, explore the shoreline and return to Mull when you are ready.
Read journey details
Check both outward and return ferry sailings before setting off, and allow time to park at Fionnphort. Ordinary visitors cross without a vehicle; taking one to Iona requires a permit.
Check the Abbey’s opening arrangements when planning your visit. If you want to walk beyond the village, allow extra time and choose a route suited to the weather and your mobility. Keep enough time in hand for your return sailing.
From the Ross of Mull · two driving choices
North to Tobermory
Choose the scenic west coast via Gribun and Calgary Bay, or the gentler road through Glen More and Salen. Both bring you to Tobermory.
Read journey details
The two routes offer different driving experiences. Choose before setting off and leave a generous margin if you have an onward booking.
The west coast scenic drive – our featured choice
The B8035 leads past Gribun and Loch na Keal to Gruline. The B8073 continues by Ulva Ferry towards Calgary and Dervaig. This western option involves narrow single track roads and frequent passing places; leave much of the day free for the drive and stops.
Use designated parking when stopping for views or wildlife. Passing places must stay clear so other vehicles can get through.
The gentler drive via Salen
Follow the A849 back through Glen More towards Craignure, then continue on the A849/A848 through Salen. This misses the western coastal circuit and is a useful choice if you prefer a less demanding drive.
Calgary can be visited separately from the north if you have more time. Check that any extra outing leaves enough time for your accommodation or ferry plans.
From Tobermory · return via Craignure
Tobermory and the return
Enjoy a harbour evening and a relaxed morning before travelling south through Salen. Sail from Craignure to Oban to rejoin the WC300 Core Route.
Read journey details
Plan the return drive around the check-in time for your booked Craignure sailing, rather than the departure time alone. Leave a margin for traffic and check CalMac’s service updates before travelling.
A night near Tobermory can make time for the harbour and northern Mull, but it is optional. If you are staying elsewhere, adjust the order of your visits to reduce unnecessary driving.
Signature moments
- The first sight of Mull from the Oban ferry.
- Loch Scridain and the approach to the Ross of Mull.
- Leaving the car behind for the short crossing to Iona.
- The west coast road beneath Gribun and beside Loch na Keal, if you choose it.
- A long pause at Calgary Bay before arriving in Tobermory.
Good to Know
Swipe for practical tips
Ferries
Reserve your Oban–Craignure vehicle sailings in advance and check service status before travelling. The Fionnphort–Iona crossing is a separate foot-passenger journey for most visitors. Check both timetables when planning your days.
Time
Around four days and three nights is a suggested starting point if you would like to include Iona and the scenic west coast. Two nights on the Ross of Mull and one near Tobermory is one possible arrangement, rather than a fixed itinerary. Adjust your stay around your interests, available accommodation, ferry sailings and the pace you enjoy; allow longer for extra walks, wildlife trips or a more leisurely visit.
Driving
Much of Mull uses single track roads and passing places. The western drive on the B8035 and B8073 calls for particular care and a generous time allowance. The route through Craignure and Salen offers a gentler day.
Overnight bases
Fionnphort is convenient for the Iona ferry, while Bunessan offers another Ross of Mull base. Tobermory is an option for exploring the north. Staying in one place can also work if you are happy to drive farther; choose accommodation around the places you most want to visit.
Campervans and motorhomes
Arrange an overnight pitch before taking a vehicle to Mull. Check the suitability of the western road for your vehicle and your comfort with narrow roads before choosing it.
Longer stay
Add time for a boat trip to Staffa or the Treshnish Isles, another day around the north of Mull, or an overnight stay on Iona. Treat these as choices rather than trying to fit them into the four-day journey.
Ordinary visitors should cross to Iona on foot. Taking a vehicle requires an Iona vehicle permit.
Plan your ferry crossings
Use these CalMac links to check crossing details, timetables and any service changes before you travel. They open in a new tab, so you can keep your WC300 journey here.
Continue your WC300 journey
Returning to Oban? Explore the next section of the WC300 Core Route, with places to stop along the way to Fort William.
