Mull & Iona by campervan
A cheese-farm lunch, a beach afternoon and Iona on foot—on separate days.
The trip we would build
Mull rewards a central Salen base followed by a south-island overnight. Tobermory and Calgary belong to the northern stage; Fionnphort and Iona need their own day. The short passenger crossing to Iona comes after a much longer drive across Mull, which is easy to underestimate on a small-scale map.
Why choose it: A varied island trip with working farms, wildlife possibilities and a second island visit.
The trade-off: Single-track roads make short mileages slow. Ferry bookings and weather matter, and wildlife sightings are never assured.
Drive times and approach
| Leg | Planning allowance |
|---|---|
| Renfrew → Oban | Allow 2–2½ hours driving |
| Oban → Mull | Add the booked crossing and vehicle check-in |
| Salen → Fionnphort | Budget 1½–2 hours on island roads |
Rounded planning allowances, not live traffic predictions. Add sightseeing, meal stops and ferry check-in separately.
Map of the area
Area markers show the stages of the trip. Follow each venue's directions for its entrance and parking.
How to spend your days
Day 1: Tobermory and the Glass Barn
Explore the harbour, then have lunch at the Glass Barn at Sgriob-ruadh Farm. Buy local cheese for the van. Salen Bay Campsite keeps the following day's northern outing within reach.
Day 2: Calgary at beach pace
Give Calgary an unhurried half-day and return to the same pitch. Do not combine it with Iona simply because both appear on an island highlights list.
Day 3: South Mull and Iona
Move south, leave the van on Mull and cross to Iona as a foot passenger. The Creel at Fionnphort Pier is the named seafood stop. Fidden Farm suits an extra south-island night; a Staffa excursion needs its own weather window and booking.
Food worth fitting into the trip
- The Glass Barn — Coffee or lunch at the cheese farm outside Tobermory; the café and farm shop have different opening patterns.
- The Creel Seafood Bar — Seafood at Fionnphort Pier for the Iona stage.
Where we would base the van
- Salen Bay Campsite — Central base for several nights; the site lists April–October opening.
- Fidden Farm — For the south-Mull stage rather than a daily commute from Tobermory.
What matters locally
Keep passing places clear and let following traffic pass. Stay on the mainland before a noon handback: an island ferry and the drive to Renfrew make a fragile final-morning combination.