Mull, Iona & Skye 6 Day Island Hopping Tour from Edinburgh

Day 1 – Loch Lomond → Inveraray → Oban → Ferry to Mull

Your adventure begins in Edinburgh, travelling west to Glasgow, where we collect additional passengers before continuing into Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Our first stop is the conservation village of Luss, set on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, where you can enjoy peaceful surroundings and admire views across one of Scotland’s most beautiful lochs.

Continuing west, we stop at the famous Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint before arriving in Inveraray, Scotland’s first planned town. Here you’ll have time for lunch, a stroll through the town, or the chance to visit Inveraray Castle.

Later we continue to Oban, gateway to the Hebrides, where we board the ferry to the Isle of Mull. Arriving in Tobermory, you’ll settle in for the night in one of Scotland’s most colourful harbour towns.

Day 2 – Fionnphort → Ferry to Iona → Iona Abbey → Staffa

Today we travel across Mull to Fionnphort, where a short passenger ferry takes us to the peaceful island of Iona. This tiny island has been a place of Christian worship and pilgrimage since St Columba arrived here from Ireland in 563 AD.

On Iona you can visit Iona Abbey, walk up Torr an Aba, and explore St Oran’s Chapel and Reilig Òdhrain, said to be the burial place of ancient Scottish kings.

For an extra adventure, you can choose an optional boat trip to Staffa and Fingal’s Cave, famous for its hexagonal basalt columns, dramatic sea setting and wildlife. Depending on the season, you may also have the chance to spot puffins, dolphins, basking sharks or whales.

Day 3 – Standing Stones → Calgary Bay → Ulva → Tobermory

Today we discover more of the wild beauty of Mull. We begin at the Kilmore Standing Stones, located near the remains of an ancient fort and a Highland clearance village.

We then continue to Calgary Bay, where white sands and clear waters create one of the island’s most beautiful coastal settings. This is also one of the best places to look out for white-tailed sea eagles.

Later we explore Ulva, a peaceful and unspoilt island with woodland, beaches and fascinating island history. Back in Tobermory, you’ll have free time to shop, relax, or visit the Tobermory Distillery.

Day 4 – Glencoe → Glenfinnan Viaduct → Loch Duich → Isle of Skye

Leaving Mull, we cross back to the mainland via Lochaline and the Corran Ferry, before arriving in Glencoe, where you’ll have time to enjoy the dramatic scenery of Scotland’s most famous glen.

Here you’ll meet your new driver-guide and change vehicle before continuing north through Fort William, nestled beneath Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, and on to Glenfinnan. Here, you can walk to a nearby viewpoint, where one side looks out across Loch Shiel and the other reveals the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct curving through the glen.

In 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard here, marking the start of the Jacobite Rising. Today, the viaduct is known around the world as the route of the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films.

Before reaching Skye, we travel through Glen Garry and enjoy stunning views of Loch Duich and the dramatic Five Sisters of Kintail. Crossing the Skye Bridge, we arrive on the mystical Isle of Skye, where we settle in for the night.

Day 5 – Fairy Pools → Portree → Fairy Glen → Quiraing → Kilt Rock

Today is dedicated to the enchanting Isle of Skye, a land of rugged coastlines, ancient legends and otherworldly landscapes. Your driver-guide will shape the day’s route to make the most of the weather and ensure you experience the very best of the island.

One of Skye’s most famous sights is the dramatic Black Cuillin mountain range. At its base lie the beautiful Fairy Pools, a series of crystal-clear waterfalls and rock pools that have become one of the island’s most iconic natural attractions.

The walk to and from the Fairy Pools is moderate, scenic and rewarding. Each pool seems more beautiful than the last, glinting in the light beneath the mountains. Brave visitors sometimes take a dip, while others simply pause to enjoy the magic of the setting.

Later, we enjoy free time in Portree, Skye’s colourful harbour town, where you’ll have time for lunch, a stroll around the waterfront and a chance to browse local craft shops.

In the afternoon we explore the spectacular Trotternish Peninsula, home to some of Skye’s most famous landscapes. We take in the strange beauty of the Fairy Glen, enjoy panoramic views at the Quiraing, and stop at Mealt Falls and Kilt Rock, where a waterfall plunges into the sea beside striking basalt cliffs.

We also pause for photos at the famous Old Man of Storr, one of Scotland’s most recognisable landmarks, before returning to our accommodation on Skye after a remarkable day of island scenery and adventure.

Day 6 – Eilean Donan → Loch Ness → Cairngorms → Perthshire

Leaving the Isle of Skye, we cross the Skye Bridge back to the mainland and stop at Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed landmarks. Standing on a small island where three sea lochs meet, this iconic castle is famous for its breathtaking setting and appearances in films including Highlander and James Bond: The World Is Not Enough.

Next, we travel to Fort Augustus, a charming village on the southern shore of Loch Ness. Here you can enjoy lunch, stroll beside the Caledonian Canal, or take an optional cruise on Scotland’s most legendary loch. Keep your camera ready — Nessie might make an appearance.

We then continue through the wild landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park, passing ancient forests, open moorland and towering peaks as we make our way south through the Highlands.

Along the way, we catch a glimpse of Blair Castle before stopping in Perthshire for a final refreshment break. Crossing the Queensferry Crossing, we enjoy views of the iconic Forth Bridge before returning to Edinburgh in the evening, bringing your unforgettable 6-day journey through Mull, Iona, Skye and the Highlands to a close.