TRAVEL ADVICE
There are a range of ways to get to the island of Iona, via the island of Mull.
Please check all connections before making firm travel plans. Weather on the west coast of Scotland can be unpredictable and can affect your plans. It is always worth keeping a close eye on weather forecasts. The Met Office is a good place to start. XC Weather is another helpful site.
By Public Transport
All Scottish public transport is covered by Travel Line
1. You can travel from Glasgow to Oban by Long Distance Bus, which leaves from Buchanan Street Bus Station.
2. You can travel from Glasgow to Oban by Train, which leaves from Queen Street Station.
3. On arrival at Oban you take the Caledonian Macbrayne passenger/car ferry from the Railway Pier to Craignure on the Isle of Mull.
4. From Craignure you travel by West Coast Motors, marked Iona Ferry, to Fionnphort (pronounced ‘fin-a-fort’).
5. From Fionnphort jetty you take the Iona Ferry across to the Isle of Iona.
By Private Car
Cars can be left in Oban. Long-term parking in the Argyll and Bute Council (ABC) Car parks is now done by purchasing car park tickets for Oban, online, direct from the Council. The ticket costs £30 for the week and allows you to park in any of the ABC car parks in Oban; Albany Street car park is the nearest to the Ferry terminal with room for 36 cars. www.argyll-bute.gov.uk
If you wish to drive to Fionnphort (Iona Ferry) you can take your car on the ferry from Oban to Craignure for which a reservation is necessary and should be made as early as possible: Caledonian MacBrayne Limited (by phone: 0800 066 5000 or email: enquiries@calmac.co.uk ). Allow at least an hour for this journey across Mull. Roads on Mull are single track – you must allow faster drivers to overtake you, and oncoming traffic to pass, by pulling into passing places on the left, or waiting opposite the passing places that are on the right. Watch out for cows, sheep, eagles, deer and otters! –
You can only bring your car on to Iona if you have special permission sought in advance.
An alternative route is to drive to Lochaline on the mainland of Scotland, and take the car ferry (no advance bookings) to Fishnish (on the ISLE OF MULL) and drive from there to Fionnphort. Allow one and a half hours driving time (single track road see previous paragraph) between Fishnish and Fionnphort. Times and fares at www.calmac.co.uk