Isle of Mull and Isle of Iona, Scotland

Since early on in my time here in Scotland, I had hoped to visit the Isles of Mull and Iona. They are located off the west coast of Scotland and can only be reached by ferry! While my Uncle Mike and Aunt Connie Blesse were here visiting, they decided to take us there to go check it out! They had hired (rented) a car, so on Sunday afternoon we drove to Oban (on the west coast), took the ferry across to the Isle of Mull (about a 45 min ferry trip),

Leaving Oban on the ferry to Mull 

Dunollie Castle ruins in Oban, Scotland

then drove a little over an hour across the island and stayed in Fionnphort (pronounced "Finnafert") at a lovely B&B called Caol-Ithe Guesthouse ("Cool-ee"). We had hoped to drive to the north of the island and see the town of Tobermory, but the road we were taking was washed out from a crazy rain storm last week and we ran out of time. Thankfully the views were gorgeous off the west coast of Mull, so the drive wasn't a waste!

Just before we had to turn around due to road closure, Mull

West side of Mull

West side of Mull

The next morning we went on a boat tour with Staffa Tours (http://www.staffatours.com/boat-tours/boat-tours-from-fionnphort-and-iona/staffa-tour/) to see Staffa Island which boasts of beautiful water, Fingal's Cave and puffins! This is one of the few boat tours I would say was definitely well worth the money! We were given almost an hour to explore the island...and some crazy guy decided to go for a swim!

Uncle Mike, Aunt Connie and me on the boat

Scott with Staffa Island in the background

Fingal's Cave, Staffa Island

My adventurous husband

Yes, Scott did go swimming in the ocean inside Fingals' Cave and it was only about 60 F/16 C outside!

Staffa Boat Tours

35 weeks prego hiking around Staffa Island!

After loads of fun there, we headed back and were dropped off on the Isle of Iona! Iona is known for it's Abbey which was built by St. Columba, a man from the the North of Ireland who became a missionary to Scotland. The water is beautiful and the weather improved throughout the day!

Scott and me at Iona Port

View from Iona Port

Iona Abbey, created by St. Columba

Replica of St. John's cross outside Iona Abbey

We hope at some point we'll be able to go back and have more time to spend on Mull and especially Iona. Iona has been said to be one of the "thin places" in Scotland where people feel like God is a bit nearer. We'd love to be able to go and have time to rest and experience this for ourselves in the future!

The wee Post Office on Iona

Amazing sky and water! 

Amazing views...taken by the fabulous Scott Burns!

Ferry between Iona and Mull

Later in the day we took the 10 minute ferry trip from Iona to Mull, drove back across Mull, took the 45 minute ferry to Oban and then drove 2 hours home to Glasgow. A very full day, but well worth it! Plus, we managed to have two days in a row without rain while away from Glasgow!