JUNE 12 - 16 - ISLES OF MULL & IONA (optional Staffa Island boat tour)

Backabush is going back to Scotland to visit the Isle of Mull as well as it's smaller neighbours of Iona and Staffa!

Cost - £395. Group size - 18. Nights - 4. Accommodation - Exclusive use of a quality hostel.

Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebredies (after Skye) and its rugged mountains and wild peninsulas make it a dream destination for adventurous hikers. Loved for its wild nature the island is also home to sea eagles, otters, seals and red deer.

Our plan is to meet up in Glasgow before we drive to Oban and catch a ferry to Mull where we have booked a lovely hostel for our exclusive use. Beds are in shared rooms, with separate male and female dorms. The hostel is in a fantastic loch-side location with a pub nearby and very little else so we can enjoy the true peace of Scottish island life.

Weather permitting we plan on hiking to the highest peak on the island, Ben More, which is the only Munro requiring a ferry crossing in Scotland. It's a fantastic rocky peak and great full day hike with ocean views that involves some very minor scrambling.

We also plan on hiking to the stunning and remote beaches of Iona which are well worth the effort. To get to Iona we will need to first drive the remote single track road spanning the south coast of Mull before taking the small ferry across the channel. This is also where boat tours launch to reach the iconic Fingal's Cave on Staffa Island, a sea cave formed in the basalt columns similar to the Giant's Causeway across the sea in Northern Ireland. Staffa also has puffins that nest on the island each year and June is a great time to sea them. If people would like to, we will have the option to join one of the Fingal's cave and wildlife boat tours.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• 4 nights quality, hostel accommodation in shared dorms
• All transport in from Glasgow, including ferry crossings, airport transfers and travel on Mull.
• Guided hikes. Our leaders are Mountain Leader trained and qualified first aiders.
• Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 1992

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• Meals - our accommodation will have self catering facilities and we can stock up on supplies in Oban before we board the ferry.
• Optional Staffa island wildlife boat tour
• Travel to Glasgow
• Travel Insurance

If you would like to extend your stay in Scotland and explore another beautiful isle then why not join our trip to the Isle of Arran immediately before this one!

TRAVEL & MEETING DETAILS

The meeting point for this trip will be at Glasgow Airport on Wednesday 12th June. We will meet in the arrivals hall next to the Starbucks cafe. On Sunday 16th June we will drop you back at Glasgow airport. Our airport transfers will be timed to meet the following flights:

• OUTBOUND - Wednesday 12 June
British Airways flight BA1482
Departs - 12:20 London Heathrow
Arrives - 13:45 Glasgow

• INBOUND - Sunday 16 June
British Airways flight BA1495
Departs - 18:20 Glasgow
Arrives - 19:45 London Heathrow

IF YOU CHOOSE TO BOOK ALTERNATIVE FLIGHTS MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 13:45 ON 12 JUNE (WE HAVE A FERRY TO CATCH!) AND DEPART NO EARLIER THAN 18:20 ON 16 JUNE.

HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THIS TRIP

To book onto this trip please email nathancapay@googlemail.com and send full payment to the Backabush account. Please use Mull as your payment reference.

Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS

Sort Code: 090127

Account Number: 22440622

Your RSVP alone is NOT enough to secure your place.