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Argyll, Mull & Iona: 4-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 4-day version for June: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · best time to go.

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4
days
155 km
distance
10.8 h
in transit
18
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Kilmartin Glen

6 curated stops
Transit
1h57
Finish
~16:10
Temperature
10.3°C–14.7°C
Rainy days
~15
Daylight
17.3h
09:00
Dunadd Fort historicenvironment.scot read more map ↗
Stand atop the hill and imagine this Iron Age fort's 2000-year-old history.
50 min · Kilmartin Glen · Free
open: Open all year
10:10
Kilmartin Glen read more map ↗
Discover a remarkable line of Neolithic and Bronze Age burial cairns and standing stones.
50 min · Kilmartin Glen
11:10
Kilmartin Museum kilmartin.org read more map ↗
Explore exhibits that bring Kilmartin Glen's ancient structures and people to life.
50 min · Kilmartin Glen
open: 10AM-5PM daily
12:10
Carnasserie Castle historicenvironment.scot read more map ↗
Roam the ruins of this 16th-century tower house, now a silent relic of rebellion.
50 min · Kilmartin Glen · Free
open: Always open
14:15
Keills Chapel historicenvironment.scot read more map ↗
View early medieval crosses and grave slabs inside this re-roofed 11th-century chapel.
50 min · Kilmartin Glen · Free
open: Always open
15:20
Kilmory Castle read more
Wander the park grounds filled with blooming rhododendrons in early summer.
50 min · Kilmartin Glen
Overnight here
e.g. Kilmartin Hotel · Lochgilphead Caravan Park
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Oban

6 curated stops
Transit
2h35
Finish
~17:55
Temperature
9.5°C–14.6°C
Rainy days
~17
Daylight
17.4h
09:50
St Columba's Cathedral rcdai.org.uk read more map ↗
Appreciate the Neo-Gothic design of this Roman Catholic cathedral.
50 min · Oban
10:50
St John's Cathedral stjohnsoban.org.uk read more map ↗
Discover a hidden Scottish Episcopal cathedral with an odd, unfinished layout.
50 min · Oban
11:50
McCaig’s Tower visitscotland.com read more map ↗
Gaze up at the grand, unfinished shell of this Colosseum-inspired tower.
50 min · Oban · Free
open: 24 hours
12:50
Dunollie Castle dunollie.org read more map ↗
Climb the stairs of this crumbling 15th-century castle and explore its gardens.
50 min · Oban · Adult £13, child £6, concession £11; check current rates
open: 17 Mar-30 Oct 2026 Tu-Su 10:00-16:00; Monday closed
14:00
Dunstaffnage Castle historicenvironment.scot read more map ↗
Explore the stout ruins of this 13th-century castle and its nearby chapel.
50 min · Oban · Adult £7.50, conc £6, child £4.50
open: Apr-Sep: daily 9:30AM-5:30PM; Nov-Mar: Sa-W 10AM-4PM
16:05
Arduaine Garden arduainegarden.org read more map ↗
Walk through a riot of rhododendrons in the National Trust for Scotland's gardens.
50 min · Oban · Adult £10, family £25, concession £7.50; check current rates
open: 16 Mar-31 Oct 2026 daily 10:00-17:00; last entry 16:00
16:55
Ee-usk eeusk.com map ↗
Dine on seafood with a view, though service may be slow.
60 min · Oban · Mains from £15
open: Daily noon-2:30PM & 5:30-9PM
Overnight here
e.g. Kerrera Tea Garden and Bunkhouse · Oban Holiday Park
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Tobermory & Mull

2 curated stops
Transit
3h43
Finish
~16:45
Temperature
10.8°C–13.8°C
Rainy days
~15
Daylight
17.4h
Travel connections

Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.

  1. 09:00–09:30
    Transfer
    Oban → Oban ferry terminal
    Reserve your vehicle space in advance and be checked in at Oban at least 30 minutes before your booked departure. Check the timetable and service status; this allowance excludes waiting for a suitable sailing.
    Check source
  2. 09:30–10:33
    Ferry
    Oban ferry terminal → Craignure ferry terminal
    Cross from Oban to Craignure with your vehicle. Allow about 45 minutes aboard plus an estimated 18 minutes to disembark and leave the terminal; actual times may vary.
    Check source
  3. 10:33–11:28
    Road estimate
    Craignure ferry terminal → Tobermory & MullCheck source
11:30
Duart Castle duartcastle.com read more map ↗
Explore Duart Castle and its Sound of Mull viewpoints after reaching Mull; check current seasonal opening hours for interior admission.
90 min · Tobermory & Mull · Ticket required for castle interior; grounds are free; check current rates
open: Apr-Oct; check current opening dates and hours
14:15
Aros Forest Park search map ↗
Stroll through waterfalls and woodland paths just south of town.
90 min · Tobermory & Mull
15:45
Isle of Mull Cheese Farm isleofmullcheese.co.uk map ↗
Taste seasonal artisan cheeses and watch cows being milked.
60 min · Tobermory & Mull
open: Daily 10AM-17:00
Overnight here
e.g. Tobermory Campsite · Tobermory Youth Hostel
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 4 Iona

2 curated stops
Transit
2h34
Finish
~16:10
Temperature
10.8°C–13.8°C
Rainy days
~15
Daylight
17.4h
Travel connections

Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.

  1. 09:00–09:00
    Transfer
    Tobermory & Mull
    Continue by rental car from Tobermory to Fionnphort. Allow extra time for the drive before your ferry departure.
    Check source
  2. 09:00–10:32
    Road estimate
    Tobermory & Mull → Fionnphort parkingCheck source
  3. 10:32–11:02
    Transfer
    Fionnphort parking → Fionnphort pier
    Park at Fionnphort and continue on foot. Allow time to find parking, walk to the pier and be ready to board at least 10 minutes before departure.
    Planning allowance: 30 min
    Check source
  4. 11:02–11:12
    Ferry
    Fionnphort pier → Iona pier
    Take the ferry to Iona without your car. The crossing takes 10 minutes; allow additional time for check-in and waiting for a departure. Check the latest timetable and service updates before travel.
    Planning allowance: 10 min
    Check source
  5. 11:12–11:22
    Transfer
    Iona pier → Iona
    Walk from Iona pier to the abbey area, about 10 minutes away on foot according to the council.
    Planning allowance: 10 min
    Check source
11:25
Iona Abbey historicenvironment.scot read more map ↗
Explore Iona Abbey’s church, cloister, museum, carved crosses and St Columba’s shrine during visitor opening hours.
90 min · Iona · Adult £10 online or £11 on arrival; concession and child rates available
open: Apr-Sep Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30, Su 12:30-17:30; Oct-Mar Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00, Su closed; last entry 45 min before close
13:10
Marble Quarry visitmullandiona.co.uk map ↗
Walk 3.5 km from Iona pier to the old coastal quarry and back over rough, boggy ground; allow two to three hours.
180 min · Iona

Fingal's Cave (Staffa)

Iona
Boat trip required — arrange separately

Arrange a separate boat trip to Staffa. Confirm the departure point, total duration, landing conditions and accessibility with the operator; landing depends on the weather and sea. Fingal's Cave is not included in your timed itinerary.

details

🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

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