Isle of Mull & Iona - 5 day itinerary

Dunkeld is a small but charming historic town, just north of Perth on the banks of the flowing River Tay. This is a beautiful but popular spot with locals and visitors alike. 

Frida and Leo visited: 

• The Taybank, a hotel, bar and restaurant.
• The Hermitage – woodland trails to Black Linn Falls and Ossian Hall.
• Full Circle Donuts - based at the Hermitage selling donuts and hot drinks.
• Loch Rannoch - a picturesque 15km freshwater loch.
• Horn Carver - a craft workshop for handmade horn products.
• They stayed overnight in Oban, ready for the ferry to Mull. 

If you’re taking a similar trip, you could also explore: 

• The majestic but partly ruined Dunkeld Cathedral and several brightly coloured houses which date back to the early 1700s. 
• Birnam Wood – see the remaining trees from the ancient wood depicted in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. 
• Loch of the Lowes – a large nature reserve home to ospreys, squirrels and more. 
• The Beatrix Potter Exhibition at the Birnam Arts Centre. 

Mull is a stunning small island off the west coast of Scotland. Around 25 miles long, it has an incredible 300 miles of coastline views to soak up, gorgeous wildlife to spot, and authentic culture to enjoy. 

Frida and Leo’s trip included: 

• The Calmac Oban to Mull ferry 
• Ardalanish - Isle of Mull Weavers - set on a 1,500-acre farm who look after cattle and sheep and weave their own products. 
• The Creel Seafood Bar - serving fresh seafood by the ferry pier at Fionnphort. 
• Fidden Farm Campsite overnight - family-run campsite by a safe and secluded bay.  

If you’ve got time to explore further, try: 

• The Fauld - take a Hebridean Farm Hike to learn about hill crofting, or sign up for a workshop on traditional skills like dry-stone walling. 
• Boat trip to the Isle of Staffa - experience the incredible geological formations of Fingal’s Cave. 

Iona is a tiny island off the southwest coast of Mull with a fascinating history as the ‘cradle of Christianity’. A peaceful island, Iona is wonderfully unspoiled and a home to rare wildlife. 

Frida and Leo started with a day trip to Iona: 

• Calmac Mull to Iona ferry 
• Iona Abbey and Nunnery - one of the oldest religious centres in western Europe. 
• St Columba Larder - sells quality artisan Scottish gifts and Iona souvenirs. 
• St Ronan’s Bay beach - wonderful views across the Sound of Iona back towards Mull. 
• Iona Wool - sustainable 100% single origin limited edition yarns, grown exclusively on Iona. 
• Iona Craft Shop - selling Scottish knitwear, Iona Wool garments, yarn and accessories, jewellery, skincare and more. 

Learn more about Iona

Back to Mull 

They then took the ferry back to Mull before exploring the larger island further and stopping in Tobermory for the night. This is the main town on Mull, known for its colourful harbourside houses. 

• Glenforsa Cafe and Farm Shop - on the banks of the beautiful River Forsa, they offer relaxed eating including on the scenic terrace. 
• Macgochans - fantastic food, live music, stunning views and the warmest of welcomes. 
• Tobermory Campsite - options include shepherd huts, caravans, and pitches for motorhomes and tents. 

Glencoe is a beautiful mountain valley in the Scottish Highlands. Famous for its dramatic scenery, it offers stunning views, peaceful walks, and a strong sense of history and culture. 

Frida and Leo’s day highlights were: 

• The ferry from Fishnish on the Isle of Mull to Lochaline, then driving to Glencoe. 
• They went for a walk through the Lairig Gartain, the dramatic mountain pass between Buachaille Etive Mòr and Buachaille Etive Beag, surrounded by some of Glencoe’s most iconic scenery. The estimated time of this route is 3-3.5 hours. 
• Clachaig Inn - big hearty pub food, a huge range of Scottish craft ales, whiskies, gins and more as well as accommodation. 
• Red Squirrel Campsite - set in 22 acres of woodland, surrounded by the stunning mountains. 

If you’ve got time to explore further: 

• Glencoe Mountain Resort - situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty on Rannoch Moor. The resort offers a wide variety of outdoor activities to enjoy throughout the year. 
• Glencoe village - the pretty village is located at the foot of the Glencoe Mountains. It is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts and history lovers and offers various accommodation options. 
• Lochaber Geopark - follow one of the rock routes or geotrails to learn more about the area’s unique geography.

Frida and Leo’s last day featured: 

• Drive to Comrie Croft - a farm with 230 acres of wild woods, flower meadows, market garden and repurposed farm buildings home to 12 nature-based enterprises. You’ll find accommodation, delicious food, activities and relaxation. 
• Walk to Hagrid’s Hut - follow the trail path to the spot where Hagrid’s Hut was seen in the Harry Potter movies.
• Nowhere Sauna at Comrie Croft - handcrafted wood fired sauna nestled amongst the trees helping you connect to the mind, body, nature and community. 

On your return through Perthshire, if time allows, you can explore sights such as: 

• Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery - offers an immersive experience into Scotland’s whisky-making heritage, with guided tours and tastings.
• Scone Palace and Gardens, Perth - a historic royal landmark with grand interiors, beautiful gardens, and scenic grounds filled with peacocks and woodland walks. 
• The Scottish Crannog Centre, Kenmore - an Iron Age loch-dwelling reconstruction, holding ancient artifacts and crafted with locally sourced materials.