Scottish Wildlife Adventure: Mull, Staffa & Iona - Fully Guided - 7 Days

Day 1: The West Coast: Oban & Castle Stalker

Make your way to Scotlands’s rugged west coast, where you'll meet your guide at Oban train station. Travel a short distance north to take a scenic boat trip to Castle Stalker—a historic island fortress that dates back to the 15th century. A member of the Stewart Allward family (the castle’s current owners) will guide you on a tour through its fascinating history. The island location also gives you the perfect opportunity to look out for seals, dolphins, and seabirds. Head back to Oban this evening to settle into your accommodation and enjoy dinner overlooking the beautiful Scottish scenery.

Day 2: Bridge Over the Atlantic & the Isle of Seil

This morning, enjoy a coastal hike on the Isle of Seil. You’ll cross the Clachan Bridge (the “Bridge over the Atlantic”) and continue to Seil to enjoy sweeping views over the rugged mountains of Mull. The coastline here is a great place to watch statuesque herons fishing, and the pristine rock pools are fascinating to explore. If you’re lucky, you might even spot otters playing in the waves.

Day 3: Search for Sea Eagles on Mull

Today you’ll take the ferry to the Isle of Mull, home to a large variety of rare and endangered birdlife, including breeding raptors. Your guide will handle all the logistics and driving, while you get to sit back and enjoy the views.

Upon landing, enjoy lunch before going in search of some of Mull’s best-known residents: white-tailed or sea eagles. Take a short hike to a perfectly positioned hide, and depending on the time of year, you may see them in the nest or spot fledglings exploring the skies.

Day 4: Wildlife & Whisky

The highlight of today is a beautiful circular walk along Mull's coastline,  which offers stunning clifftop scenery and a chance to see various birdlife such as merlins, buzzards, and hen harriers. Even rarer species such as marsh harriers are also sometimes spotted here. Explore the Whisky Cave where foundations of illicit stills are still visible, and listen for the sounds of song thrushes and skylarks as you walk through the ruins of the once-thriving village of Crackaig, abandoned since the early 1900s.

Day 5: Staffa & the Treshnish Isles

Take an early morning-covered boat to the Isle of Staffa, home to breathtaking basalt columns and the famous Fingal’s Cave. The cavern's natural acoustics create haunting melodies and harmonies—Mendelssohn's "Hebrides Overture" was inspired by the remarkable sounds. Spend the morning ashore, watching the sea birds exploring the cliffs and diving into the ocean to fish.

You’ll then set sail through the archipelago of the remote Treshnish Isles, a haven for birdlife. Travel back to Mull in the afternoon, keeping your eyes peeled for dolphins, porpoises, minke whales, and basking sharks.

Day 6: The Isle of Iona

This morning takes you aboard a short passenger ferry from Mull to the tiny island of Iona. The monk Columba founded a monastery here in 563 CE that played a crucial role in converting the Pictish tribes to Christianity. Soak in the quiet spirituality of Iona Abbey, the Nunnery, and Saint Oran's Chapel—thought to be the final resting place of 48 ancient kings of Scotland. In the evening, enjoy reflecting on your trip highlights over your last dinner in these extraordinary isles.

Day 7: Depart Craignure for Oban

Take your last island hike to an Iron Age fort this morning, passing through native woodland, moors, and grasslands, which teem with a variety of small birdlife. When you’re ready to depart, catch the ferry back to the mainland before saying your farewells in Oban.

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