Mull Odyssey: Staffa, Iona and the Ross of Mull Cruise

7 days
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5/5 Excellent
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Small Ship Cruise
 The Isle of Mull is the heart of the Inner Hebrides and this is a magical Scottish islands cruise, which makes a circumnavigation of the island to visit the famous islands of Staffa and Iona. Iona, birthplace of western Christianity was where, in AD563, Saint Columba founded an abbey when he traveled over from Ireland. Iona has been for centuries a place o...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Visit Staffa and Fingal's cave
    • Explore Ardtornish castle
    • Watchwhales, seabirds, seals, dolphins and porpoises

What's this trip about?

     The Isle of Mull is the heart of the Inner Hebrides and this is a magical Scottish islands cruise, which makes a circumnavigation of the island to visit the famous islands of Staffa and Iona. Iona, birthplace of western Christianity was where, in AD563, Saint Columba founded an abbey when he traveled over from Ireland. Iona has been for centuries a place of Christian pilgrimage and here the early abbey monks created the wonderful Book of Kells. Saint Columba and 48 Scottish kings, including Macbeth, as well as some Irish and French kings, are buried on Iona. One can walk in peaceful solitude along the island paths away from the Abbey. Staffa has one of the world's most spectacular natural marvels in Fingal's cave - one of the islands many sea caves. The soaring beauty of the island and the cave's towering, six-sided basalt columns are famously captured by Mendelssohn's Hebridean Overture. As we travel around the Isle of Mull we can see incredible wildlife - soaring sea and golden eagles, basking sharks, minke and killer whales, porpoises, dolphins, seabirds and seals. On board our small cruise ships you can do as little or as much as you want. Sit back and enjoy the trip as you travel through the island's picturesque Sounds and sea lochs; view the spectacular mountains of Mull including mighty Ben More; marvel at the headland lighthouses and castles and get involved in working our wee small ships – it is all up to you. We are pleased to offer to our passengers a complementary visit to Iona Abbey. This cruise can be a six or eight night itinerary depending on the dates you choose to travel.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 6 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityTobermory
End CityTobermory

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Birding
  • Cultural
  • Family Friendly
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Relaxing Retreats
  • Singles Travel
  • Small Ship Cruise
  • Transformative
  • Sailing

Destinations

  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • Scotland

Activities

  • Bird watching
  • Caving
  • Culture
  • Dolphin Swim
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Kid-friendly activities
  • Nature
  • Whale watching
  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • All meals including the snacks are included

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1:

Arrive Tobermory, one of the most picturesque and colourful towns in the Western Isles. A dinghy ride from a pontoon in this most sheltered of natural harbours to St Hilda, quietly riding at anchor. After a short introduction to life on board our small ship, we set sa...

Day 2:

Up anchor and we are off to Staffa and its famous Fingal's cave. It may be difficult to anchor off the island because of the lack of sheltered anchorages but we can sail close to the island to see all of its natural beauty. If time we can head up to Loch Na Keil with ...

Day 3:

As there are no sheltered over-night anchorages on Iona, we organize a daytrip from the village of Bunessan. There is a short ferry crossing across the Sound of Iona to Iona.

Day 4:

Up anchor and travel down the Sound of Iona. This a special Sound where the clear blue waters flow over the white sand and where the Abbey tower is used as a navigational mark to denote a safe passage. Out of the Sound the dangerous Torran Rocks have to be avoided as ...

Day 5:

Negotiating the narrow entrance to Loch Spelve we head out in to the Firth of Lorn to sail for a delightful little sea loch, Loch Aline, on the coast of Morvern. On the way we pass close to the imposing 13th century Duart Castle, home of the Clan Maclean.

Day 6:

In Loch Aline there are woodland walks and, at the head of the loch, is ancient Ardtornish castle and woodland gardens. We return by the beautiful Sound of Mull to Tobermory where we will finally anchor for the night. Aperitif on deck and then dinner and malts.

Day 7:

Disembark by dinghy after breakfast at around 11am - the end of a perfect voyage.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,196
Price per day$171
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with St Hilda Sea Adventures.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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St Hilda Sea Adventures Reviews & Ratings

5/5  Excellent
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Other St Hilda Sea Adventures Reviews

F

Francis

Jul 2020

St Hilda Sea Adventures Company Reviewsby St Hilda Sea Adventures

had a simply marvellous and memorable experience

I had a simply marvellous and memorable experience aboard St Hilda with the Mull Odyssey cruise. Christophe and Kerry were fantastic, helpful , lovely people. Ever...

J

John

Mar 2020

St Hilda Sea Adventures Company Reviewsby St Hilda Sea Adventures

We had a fantastic holiday

In June we sailed aboard St Hilda on their “Wildlife and Malt Whiskey Cruise”. The weather was very kind to us as we enjoyed the spectacular scenery of the Inner He...

P

Peter

Mar 2020

St Hilda Sea Adventures Company Reviewsby St Hilda Sea Adventures

some great sightings of cetaceans

We had the dream team in Charlie, Leo and Morag as our crew: such skilled navigation, anchorages you dream about, phenomenal food, and good humour throughout. Passen...

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Tour Operator

St Hilda Sea Adventures

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We provide small ship cruising and wildlife holidays on the beautiful West Coast of Scotland. Our cruises, among the breathtakingly beautiful islands, sea lochs and mountains of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, are truly unforgettable adventures for all ages. 

We anchor in the most sheltered, idyllic, safe havens where passengers can visit world famous malt whisky distilleries and remote Scottish islands such as St Kilda, Mull, Skye, Jura, Islay, Staffa and Iona. The magical Scottish seas are full of wildlife both above and below the waves. You can fish, swim, dive, set lobster pots and sail the sea and its lochs and marvel at the dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks, otters, sea eagles, myriads of sea birds and the occasional whale. Each day is as action packed or as relaxing as you please.

A cruising holiday on board our small ships is fun and informal.  The roomy deck saloons are where everyone dines and socialises and the outdoor decks are perfect for spotting wildlife, relaxing and eating al fresco and, throughout the cruise, you will have the services of your own skipper and cook. There is plenty of room on the decks to carry canoes, windsurfers or cycles.  The small ships’ tenders can also take you ashore for some wonderful, serious coastal and cliff walks or you could just wander along the shore beachcombing and examining the pretty seaside rock pools.

Our two, small cruise ships are St Hilda and Seahorse IISt Hilda is a traditional, wooden 54ft ketch. She is an ex-tall ship and sail training vessel and on St Hilda, youngsters and adults love to help work the sails.

Seahorse II (82 feet long) was built to the highest standard for the Norwegian fjords and life in the high northern latitudes and is powerful enough to cruise the many spectacular islands, stacks and lochs of Scotland’s West Coast yet small enough to anchor in remote and hauntingly beautiful places that larger passenger ships are unable to visit. On the spacious aft deck, we have a powerful little crane for launching tenders and sea kayaks. Seahorse II is a sturdy, go-anywhere, yet comfortable adventurer and follows the same itineraries as St Hilda but, on request, can be chartered for longer and even more adventurous passages.

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Logistics

Ship & cabin information
St Hilda
St Hilda is one of the smallest of the “Tall Ships” and has competed in several Tall Ship races. There are two cabins, a roomy, double, en-suite in the aft cabin and in the fore cabin there are four, comfortable berths, with an adjacent toilet and shower . You admire the views from her open decks and eat in an airy, well-lit saloon and, what a pleasure it is, to wake up to the sound of the water lapping against the hull. A truly unforgettable Scotland holiday!
Cancellation policy

Must be notified to us in writing by the person who made the booking. If you cancel your holiday:

More than 56 days prior to the start of your holiday/cruise, you will only be charged your deposit.

Between 56 and 30 days, you will be charged 50% of the holiday/cruise cost.

Between 30 and 14 days, you will be charged 75% of the holiday/cruise cost.

Note: If less than 14 days before the start of your holiday/cruise or on or after the commencement of the cruise, you must pay the full holiday/cruise cost.

Note: We appreciate that wholly unforeseen events may result in cancellation. In view of the above and for your peace of mind we therefore strongly advise you to take out appropriate comprehensive Accident & Cancellation Insurance at the time of your booking.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
No unaccompanied children under the age of sixteen (16) can be carried. No children under the age of eight (8) will be carried unless by prior arrangement and as part of a whole-boat charter. All minors under 18 years of age, no matter what their age, are wholly the responsibility of their parents/guardians at all times. No animals will be carried unless with permission.
Additional Information
Trip ID
sthild-MulOdySth

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