Somewhere to stay/

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Taking a trip (by road and ferry) up to Iona during the school wk with my son.
Can someone recommend a good but not overly expensive B&B in Toberymory for a night?
Cheers.
C_W

 

[Kylora]

Mull B&B

We had an excellent evening meal and B&B here at Ardness House in 2008, but it's in the country between Bunessan and Fionnphort so maybe too quiet for your purpose.

Ash

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Thanks Ash, is that the one to the west of Bunnesan with the potrol station at or near it?
Was hoping for something nearer to Tober.

Assuming I drove from home to Oban in the morning and caught a ferry to Tober, would there be enough time left on the same day to drive to Fionnport, catch a ferry to Iona and return to Tober in the same day having seen all there is to see in Iona, or would I be better staying the first night in Tober then doing the Iona thing next day and staying that second night in Tober before catching ferry back to Oban on the third day?
I can see this running into a week long break yet!
C_W

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Thanks Ash, is that the one to the west of Bunnesan with the potrol station at or near it?
Was hoping for something nearer to Tober.

Assuming I drove from home to Oban in the morning and caught a ferry to Tober, would there be enough time left on the same day to drive to Fionnport, catch a ferry to Iona and return to Tober in the same day having seen all there is to see in Iona, or would I be better staying the first night in Tober then doing the Iona thing next day and staying that second night in Tober before catching ferry back to Oban on the third day?
I can see this running into a week long break yet!
C_W

I've never been to Iona, but many friends have. I am assured that a lifetime isn't enough to see all that Iona has to offer! But perhaps the Iona Community wouldn't be your cup of tea

Actually, if we can manage it, I hope to make Iona my destination for next summer's holiday. Staffa, Islay, Ross of Mull - each should be a day's sail, in good weather.

 

[DaveS]

Assuming I drove from home to Oban in the morning and caught a ferry to Tober, would there be enough time left on the same day to drive to Fionnport, catch a ferry to Iona and return to Tober in the same day having seen all there is to see in Iona, or would I be better staying the first night in Tober then doing the Iona thing next day and staying that second night in Tober before catching ferry back to Oban on the third day?
I can see this running into a week long break yet!
C_W

I think the ferry from Oban to Tob. stopped some years ago. The Oban boat now only goes to Craignure. If driving from Craignure to Fionnport, Tob. is a bit of a diversion. If the wonders of Tob. are unmissable, I think I would try to do it as a round trip, e.g. an itinerary along these lines:

Day 1. Drive to Oban, ferry to Craignure, look at Duart Castle or Torosay Castle and/or Mull railway, stay near Bunessan; day2: early across ferry to see Iona before too many bus trips arrive, drive up scenic west coast (maybe brief visit across ferry to Ulva) then night at Tob.; day 3 Tob. to Craignure, maybe picking up one of places misssed on arrival, ferry to Oban, drive home.

Should have said, no personal knowledge of B&Bs, but quite a good list available from the tourist board or from the adverts in the CalMac timetable (available also as a pdf from their site).

 

[PeteCooper]

Sail There!

Have you sold your boat? What better way to have quality time with your son than a leisurely cruise to Iona? Cheaper than ferries and B&Bs, more fun, and character building for the pair of you

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Have you sold your boat? What better way to have quality time with your son than a leisurely cruise to Iona? Cheaper than ferries and B&Bs, more fun, and character building for the pair of you

Well said that man!

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Have you sold your boat? What better way to have quality time with your son than a leisurely cruise to Iona? Cheaper than ferries and B&Bs, more fun, and character building for the pair of you

Have you sold your boat? No you broke it.
I agree Pete, but there wont be enough time for that on the oct school week and probably less next year.

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Thanks everyone for your advice, and especially Dave for a better itenary than mine, sounds good.
Wont be long now Paul! All the best.
C_W

 

[falkirkdan]

CW Here is another possible suggestion. Look at the Bowman web site http://www.bowmanstours.co.uk/tours.htm You may find the price more attractive than taking your car over to Mull. For accommmodation in Oban try the Youth hostel it is very good and a lot cheaper than b&bs.

 

[Kylora]

Single Track Roads

Remember that most of the roads on Mull are single track so journeys are slower than you might expect.
Wife and I crossed to Iona early morning and returned early / mid afternoon.
Agree with Dave that ferry is Oban / Craignure.
B&B that I mentioned isn't near petrol station - it's after Bunesson, before church.

Ash

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Thanks Dan, though we wont be staying in Oban.
As Dave says we will do Oban/Craignure then down somewhere near Fionnphort for night, Iona next morn, back to somewhere on Mull that eve (probably same B&B then back to Oban next morn.
Happened to mention my plans to a lassie in college today, transpires she is from Mull and her old man works on the ferry, though he cant do anything about free tickets.
The prices look quite high for the B&B you linked to, Ash, although the positioning is perfect.
Maybe I should have left HB in Bunnesan bay when we were up that way.
C_W

 

[Kylora]

The prices look quite high for the B&B you linked to, Ash, although the positioning is perfect.

The second week of our Summer 2008 holiday was spent on Isla / Jura / Colonsay / Mull in either hotels or B&B so we weren't looking for cheap accomodation but rather somewhere 'nice'.

Not too sure if you will find 'cheap' B&B.

Enjoy your trip.

Ash

 

[falkirkdan]

Think you will have to take your boom tent and drape it over a suitable branch. You could try the Royal Bank as they are currently advertising they have branches everwhere!!!

 

[[32511]]

Can personally reccommend: Alison Brown 01688 302185, Lorna McLean, 01688 302545. No connections, other than staying there. Phil

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Well thats me all booked up, with the much appreciated help of Ash, and tobermoryphil, Philip, Dave and everyone who gave advice.
Have booked in your recommended b&b Ash, for the wed night, and one of your recommended b&b's in Tobermory Philip, for the thur night, (Lorna's).
Just the ferries to sort now, then the bags to pack.
Had a look at the (not so useful) google map hoping to find Duart castle but its not on it although Torosay castle is there, will just have to ask for directions to Duart.
Anything else worth visiting along the rd from Craignure to Bunnesan?
Will give you a bell for a pint Philip, incidently will my 16yr old be allowed in the hotel?
All excited about going, roll on 14th oct.
Thanks.
C_W

 

[falkirkdan]

CW when you come of the ferry at Craignure turn left and follow your nose. You will see Duart castle as the ferry goes up the sound of mull. http://www.duartcastle.com/visitus/visit_gettinghere.html

Only the castle will be open when you go not the tearoom which is a great pity as served some nice food.

Have a great time CW.

 

[gordmac]

I remember speaking to a rather shellshocked couple on Mull one year, they went for a quiet weeks holiday on tour of Mull rally week! I think the rally sometimes clashes with school tattie picking week.

 

[Ubergeekian]

Taking a trip (by road and ferry) up to Iona during the school wk with my son.
Can someone recommend a good but not overly expensive B&B in Toberymory for a night?
/QUOTE]
As others ave said, I wouldn't go to Tobermory on the way to Iona. When I went there for work a couple of years ago I stayed in a really nice B&B in Fionnphort. I'd recommend it, except that the owners retired a few weeks later. There are lots of B&Bs there, though, so I'm sure you could find something.