Lismore

Routes

Oban - Lismore

Caledonian MacBrayne sail to the island of Lismore from Oban 6 days a week. The crossing takes 50 minutes and will take you seven miles up the Firth of Lorne.

Lismore is an unusual island in that it is almost entirely composed of limestone terrain and everywhere there is evidence of historic lime works. It is barely 16km long and about 2.4km broad but its position and relative fertility gives it historic significance.

In fact, such was St Moluag’s rush to secure Lismore as a base for his monastery before his contemporary St Columba, that he cut off his pinkie and hurled it onto the shore, thereby staking his claim.

Lismore has a tranquil, rolling landscape and is ideal for cyclists. The main village of Achnacroish lies halfway along the island’s eastern coast. As well as having the shop and the school, the village is the terminal for the main ferry service from Oban.

The highest point on the island is the hill at the southern end known as Barr Mòr - at just short of 130m high, the views from this low summit are unforgettable.