🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (5-Day Trip) The Scottish Hebrides – Isles of Mull, Iona & Staffa

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We're going to Scotland! This time, on an island-hopping adventure to the Inner Hebridean Scottish islands of Mull, Iona and Staffa! The 5-day trip would suit our most adventurous travellers, wildlife enthusiasts and seafood lovers, who want to experience the furthest and most magical corners of Britain.

Our group size will be limited to only 14 participants for the maximum flexibility and a fantastic small-group experience!

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the Isle of Mull – one of the largest islands of the Inner Hebrides, famous for its wildlife including whales, dolphins and sea eagles
• Challenge yourself by climbing Ben More (966m) – the highest mountain on the Isle of Mull and the only island Munro (mountains over 3000ft) outside the Isle of Skye. There are breath-taking views from the summit of the Sound of Mull, the islands of Staffa and Ulva, the Isle of Skye and the mainland Highlands.
• Spend two nights in Tobermory, the capital of the Isle of Mull, and enjoy its picturesque harbour and jolly, colourful houses
• Take a boat trip to the Isle of Staffa and admire the magical Fingal's Cave and its famous hexagonal volcanic rock columns
• Enjoy amazing Scottish specialities and fresh local seafood
• Visit the Isle of Iona. Surrounded by white, sandy beaches and turquoise seas, Iona is a holy isle and has been described as the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. St Columba and 12 companions came here from Ireland in AD 563.
• Relax and enjoy a waterfront dining experience on the shores of Loch Lomond – the largest lake in Britain
• Go on a charming ferry ride across the Sound of Mull to the Hebridean Isles
• Brace yourselves for a dip in the cool, clear waters and enjoy a wild swim at Calgary Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland
• Visit Oban, known as the ‘Seafood Capital of Scotland’
• Enjoy a breath-taking drive through the Scottish Highlands and the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
• Spend the morning in Glasgow and experience its most famous sights

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Wednesday:

06:45 Meet outside Hotel Novotel London West, 1 Shortlands, W6 8DR (a five-minute walk from Hammersmith Station)
07:00 Sharp departure
13:00-13:45 Stop for lunch at Tebay Services Farmshop and Kitchen
16:30 Check in at The Abbotsford Hotel in Dumbarton, leave our luggage
17:30 Depart to the scenic village of Luss, on the shores of Loch Lomond
18:00-19:45 Dinner at Colquhoun’s Restaurant by Loch Lomond
20:15 Back to our hotel, free time

Day 2 – Thursday:

07:00 Breakfast at the hotel (included)
08:00-10:00 A scenic drive to Oban through the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park and the Scottish Highlands
10:00-11:15 Free time to explore the picturesque fishing port town of Oban; fresh local seafood at the famous Oban Seafood Hut
12:15-13:05 Ferry crossing to the Isle of Mull
14:00-15:30 Calgary Beach – the most beautiful beach on the Isle of Mull; free time for swimming (low tide at 3 PM, it's the best time to come)
16:15-17:45 An easy 5-kilometre coastal trail from Aros Park to Tobermory, past waterfalls, Lochan a Ghurrabain (lake), with scenic views of Tobermory Bay and its brightly coloured houses
18:00 Check in at Tobermory Youth Hostel
18:30 Dinner and free time in Tobermory. Please book a table in advance if you prefer to eat out (recommended: Mishdish seafood restaurant).

Day 3 – Friday:

08:00 Breakfast in Tobermory
09:00 Depart
09:45-16:30 Climb Ben More (966m) – the highest mountain on the Isle of Mull. Two route choices possible depending on the weather and group's fitness. 1) A more difficult, but hugely scenic ascent via A' Chioch ridge and Beinn Fhada, involving some straightforward scrambling (distance: 12km, ascent: 1270m). 2) An easier route (same way there and back) from Dhiseig (distance: 10km, ascent: 950m).
17:15 Return to Tobermory
18:30 Dinner and free time in Tobermory. Please book a table in advance if you prefer to eat out.

Day 4 – Saturday:

06:30 Breakfast
07:15 Depart to Fionnphort
09:30-12:30 The Isle Of Staffa and Fingal’s Cave boat tour (£40, highly recommended), or free time to visit white sandy beaches and Iona Abbey on the Isle of Iona
12:30-14:15 Free time on the Isle of Iona for those who chose the boat tour (disembark on the Isle of Iona at the end of the boat tour)
14:20-14:30 The whole group takes the ferry back to the Isle of Mull from the Isle of Iona
14:45 Depart
17:05-17:55 Ferry crossing from the Isle of Mull to Oban
20:00 Check in at The Abbotsford Hotel in Dumbarton

Day 5 – Sunday:

08:00 Breakfast at the hotel (included)
09:00 Depart
09:30-12:00 Free time in Glasgow. Recommended to visit: George Square (the principal square in Glasgow), Buchanan Street (the main shopping street in Glasgow), Glasgow Cathedral (morning service at 11 AM, free entry), Necropolis (a beautiful Victorian cemetery on a hill, one of the best viewpoints of Glasgow).
12:00 Depart to London
14:30-15:15 Stop for lunch at Tebay Services Farmshop and Kitchen
21:45 London, Hammersmith

DIFFICULTY & EQUIPMENT

The difficulty of this trip is mostly easy. Ben More climb on day 3 is a challenging mountain hike, graded difficult. It requires an excellent level of fitness and appropriate equipment (hiking boots with ankle support, waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers). You may choose to skip it and spend this day in Tobermory (recommended: visit Tobermory Distillery or go on a Wildlife Adventure Cruise).

TRANSPORT

As on most of our trips, we'll travel in a comfortable 16-seater minibus.

LUGGAGE

You can bring two small bags with you: one cabin size personal item bag (up to 10kg) and one smaller hiking backpack to fit under the seat. During the hike, you can leave your luggage in the minibus.

BOOKING

The total cost of this trip is £728 per person. A deposit of £328 is required to secure your place, with the remaining balance paid two months before the trip (July 10, 2025). Any places not paid in full by this date will be lost, and the deposit will be non-refundable and non-transferable.

To join, please RSVP and pay the deposit (£328) by bank transfer to the account below, leaving your Meetup name and the name of the trip as a reference (e.g. John Scotland):

Business Account Name: London Social Hiking Limited
Sort Code: 20-17-20
Account Number: 63116514

We'll let you know by changing your status to ‘Paid’ as soon as the payment is cleared. You can check your status next to your name in the attendees list of the event. Please allow up to 24 hours for the payment to arrive.

THE PRICE OF £728 INCLUDES

• Transport throughout the trip
• Return ferry ticket to the Isle of Mull and the Isle of Iona
• Experienced, professional PSV minibus driver
• Guiding on all hiking routes by an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader
• Two nights' accommodation at a hotel in shared twin rooms with a full Scottish breakfast included (you'll share your room with somebody from our group of the same gender)
• Two nights' accommodation at Tobermory Youth Hostel on the Isle of Mull in single-gender rooms, booked for our group's exclusive use (max 4 people per room). Tobermory Youth Hostel is in a top location and has great reviews. Hotels are not available on the Isle of Mull (prices from £250 per night) and have extremely limited availability, so hostel was our best and only option!
• Professional event organisation
• Group first aid kit with qualified first aiders
• Admin fee
• 20% VAT

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Personal insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects, and personal trekking insurance)
• The Isle Of Staffa and Fingal’s Cave boat tour (optional, £40)

HOW TO CONTACT US

For all enquiries, please PM Anna (the main organiser) via Meetup. Alternatively, you can email us at info@lshiking.co.uk We'll usually get back to you within 4 hours.

Your guide will be Anna (07596844467, only for use during the hike). Please get in touch if you have any difficulty locating the meeting point or need help during the trip.

WHAT TO BRING

• Suitable hiking shoes with ankle support
• Waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers
• Gloves/hat/cap
• Water bottle (min 1L)
• Nuts and energy snacks to last you during the trip
• Walking poles (optional)

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REFUND POLICY

As stated in the ‘Booking’ section of the event description, a deposit of £328 is required to secure your place, with the remaining balance paid two months before the trip (July 10, 2025). Any places not paid in full by this date will be lost, and the deposit will be non-refundable and non-transferable. If you have paid the full balance (£728) by July 10 and wish to cancel, our standard refund policy (link) will apply.