ITINERARY
The itinerary may be subject to change to suit weather conditions on the day.
Monday – Shiaba
Our excursion today will explore the ruined township of Shiaba which lies on the south coast of the Ross of Mull. It is situated on high ground with panoramic views along the coast to Beinn an Aoininigh (Gorrie’s Leap) and the Carsaig Cliffs and to the south east to Colonsay, Scarba and Jura. It is a fine example of a township with its runrig farm system, ruined mills, drying kilns and houses.
Tuesday –The Treshnish Islands
After breakfast we board the Benmore Lady in Loch na Keal and head out towards the Treshnish Isles. The islands are exposed to the open ocean and uninhabited. Lunga has one of the most varied and accessible seabird colonies on the Western Seaboard. Dun Cruit (the Harp Rock stack), is home to more than 6,000 guillemots, razorbill, puffin, kittiwake, fulmar, shag, skua and storm petrels.
Wednesday – Gribun and Loch na Keal
Located to the west of Salen in central Mull, Loch na Keal runs west from Killiechronan, Gruline and Knock. A deep tidal loch, it sits below the mountain range which includes Ben More (966m) and is perfectly framed at sunset. White tailed and golden eagles, otters and deer are commonly seen in addition to stands of sessile oaks and rowans.
Thursday – Uisken and Ardlanish Bay
Our location today takes us to the rugged coastline of at Uisken where rocky headlands drop into sandy bays with views out to Colonsay and the Paps of Jura. Originally a crofting settlement before the clearances, it was developed as a fishing and crofting settlement with a small quay, known as Port Uisken.
Friday – Staffa
After breakfast we board the Benmore Lady and head towards Staffa where Fingal’s Cave is located, one of the most spectacular geological sights on the west coast of Scotland. The island came to prominence in the late 18th century after a visit by Sir Joseph Banks. He and his fellow travellers extolled the natural beauty of the basalt columns in general and of the island’s main sea cavern which Banks re-named ‘Fingal’s Cave’. Their visit was followed by that of many other prominent personalities throughout the next two centuries, including Queen Victoria and Felix Mendelssohn. The island became internationally renowned through Felix Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture (Fingal’s Cave).