No trip to the Western Highlands is complete without a sampling the unique atmosphere of one of the islands.

Mull  Many peoples' first choice with a wealth of day trips to chose from

Glendorm Castle and at sunset

Kerrera Delightful little island just out from Oban, no cars on the island, but a lovely tearoom  and ruined castle at the southern end. The tearoom is a two mile walk/cycle from the ferry or part of a 6 mile circular walk around the south of the island. The southern coast line is particularly interesting with rock beaches and headlands.

Easdale Perhaps the easiest of the islands to get to and for many one of their favourite places on the west coast. A small ferry crosses from Seil island, itself reached by the famous bridge over the Atlantic.

Lismore Lovely island in Loch Linnhie, ferry from Oban (occasionally) and Port Appin (regularly)

Luing Accessible from Seil island, great wildlife.

Staffa One of those special places you'll never forget, situated off the west coast of Mull. Unless you have you're own boat you need to take a boat trip there and visit Fingal's Cave, one of the great sights of the world and inspiration for Mendelson,s composition of that name. Also if time permits take a walk to the north end of the island and be dive bombed by skies full of puffins. There are tours that combine Iona, Staffa and Mull in a day trip.

Boat service by Caledonian MacBrayne  www.calmac.co.uk  01631 566688.  You have to check in at least 30 mins before departure, even when you book (they won't let you on otherwise!).  These times are during the summer only

Mull - This is just a sample of ferry times: Leave Oban 07.45 (not S or M), 10.00, 12.00.  Return 15.00, 17.00 19.00.  Day passenger return £6.25, bike £2, car day return £43 (but you pay extra for the passengers), day saver return car incl 4 passengers £56.

Lismore - Oban 8.45 Mon - Sat and 10.45 Tues, Thurs & Sat.  Return 15.45 Mon- Sat, 17.45 Tues & Fri.  Day return £4.30.  Bike free.  Car + 4 passengers £46.  You can also go to Lismore from Port Appin.

Tiree day cruise - Thursday only. Oban 0700 - Tiree 10.45.  Leave Tiree 18.00, return Oban 21.45.  Fare £19.85.

Islay Cruise - Weds 26 June to 28 Aug.  Oban 09.20 Port Askaig 12.25.  Depart Port Askaig 17.45, return Oban 20.50.  Fare £17.60

There are also many non-landing cruises to Colonsay, Tiree and Barra, South Uist and Barra, Coll & Tiree.

Also evening dinner cruises for £25 all inclusive to Colonsay or Tiree & Coll.  Children 5-16 half fare for cruises.

Other Boat Journeys

Kerrera - £3.50 return.  Leaves from Galanach Road, approximately every 30 mins between 08.00 to 12.30, then 14.00 to 17.30 during the summer.  In winter it is by demand when you turn the board round.

Organised Trips from Oban

The Mull Experience - tickets from Caledonian MacBrayne office in Oban - 01631 566688

Includes return ferry, Torosay castle, Duart Castle and the Mull Railway & coach travel in between.  Leave Oban at 10.00 or 12.00 (not on Sat), adult £17.50, Child £8.50

Mull, Iona, Staffa Tours  www.staffatours.com 0800 783 8470  or 01631 562 842

Mull & Iona bustour, leaving 10.00 on the boat daily from Oban (10.30 on Sat), return 17.45.  Adult £23, children £13

Whalewatch Cruise, including passing Staffa on Sunday leaving Oban 10.00, return 19.45.  Adults £38, children £19.

Turusmara Tours www.Turusmara.com 08000 858 786

Staffa & Ulva bustour.  Oban 10.00 daily.  Adult £25, child £12.50, family £65

Staffa & Iona bustour. Oban 10.00 daily.  Adult £30, child £15 family £80.

Treshnish Isles and Staffa.  Oban 10.00 daily.  Adult £35, child £17.50 family £95.

Bowmans Tours  01631 563 221

Mull, Iona, Staffa.  Oban 10.00 daily.  Adult £34 child £18

Early bird Mull, Iona Staffa.  Oban 07.45 daily. 

Mull Circular.  Oban 10.00. 

Sea Cruises

Kerrera Sea Adventures - 01631 563664 or 07786 963 279 - roddymaceachen@kerrerasea.fsnet.co.uk 

One hour sea adventures around Kerrera. Binoculars and a drink supplied. For booking information and times please ring.  Adults £12, children £8.  Departures from Oban

Sea.Fari Adventures – 01852 300 003 – www.seafari.co.uk

Everyone raves about this. See the rugged coast and wildlife from Seil Island (where the ferry to Easdale goes from) by fast inflatable. Booking essential.

1 hour by car. From Taynuilt turn right to Oban. Drive through Oban to the south on the A816. Turn right to Easdale on the B844, over the ‘Bridge over the Atlantic’.

Sea Safari on the Duchess - 01631 565563 or 07990 668 614

Departures at 10.00 and 14.00 from Oban Esplanade, touring the seal colony, lady's rock, several sea wrecks from the Spanish Armada in 1558 and Cromwell's attempts to curb the clans.  Landing at Duart Castle on Mull to the tea room.

Sealife Surveys  www.sealifesurveys.com  01688 302 916  - prior bookings only

Whale, dolphin, shark, seal, puffin watching.  All from Tobermory, Mull.  Maximum 12 on the boat.

All day watch - 6 hrs, Adult £48.  8 hrs  adult £58.  Not suitable for under 12.Family whale watch, 4 hrs, geared towards children.  Adult £35, child £30

Short relaxing cruises to see seals, porpoises, eagles and listen to underwater sounds with hydrophones. Learn about the famous sunken Spanish Galleon in Tobermory Bay. Competitions and prizes for children. From Tobermory, Mull.

Either 4 hour or 8 hour days, maximum 12 passengers on this wooden motor boat. £40 per person, £30 per child under 10. See the wildlife and the island dotted seas. Leaves from near Devaig on Mull ( a bit further round than Tobermory)

Boat Hire

from Taynuilt boat hire Ian Campbell - 01866 822 121.  

Particularly for sea fishing.  £45 per day per 16 foot boat, incl fuel, or £7 per hour, excl fuel