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17 August 2026
Longer Stays from Oban
Stay a little longer and travel further into the Hebrides. Explore islands like Mull and Iona, Colonsay, Coll, Tiree and Barra, ideal for slow travel, beaches, wildlife and unforgettable island scenery.
Mull and Iona Getaway from Oban
Wild landscapes, white-sand beaches and a sense of space that’s hard to match — Mull and Iona offer one of Scotland’s most iconic island experiences, best enjoyed over a few days.
Are Mull and Iona worth visiting?
Absolutely — this is one of the most rewarding island trips from Oban, with plenty to see beyond a single day:
A mix of landscapes, from rugged mountains to white sandy beaches
Wildlife-rich coastlines, with opportunities to spot eagles, seals and more
Iona’s peaceful atmosphere, known for its beaches and historic abbey
What to do on Mull and Iona?
With more time, you can explore beyond the highlights and experience both islands properly:
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Visit Calgary Bay
With more time on Mull, head to Calgary Bay, where white sand, clear water and coastal walks make it one of the island's most beautiful spots.
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Explore Isle of Ulva
Take the short crossing to Ulva and enjoy peaceful walking trails, wildlife and a slower pace away from the busier parts of Mull.
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Take a boat trip to Staffa or join a wildlife tour
Head out on the water to explore nearby islands like Staffa, known for its dramatic basalt columns, or join a wildlife tour to spot seabirds, seals and more along the coast.
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Visit Iona Abbey and explore the beaches
Cross to Iona and spend time at the historic abbey before wandering along white-sand beaches and clear waters. It’s one of the most peaceful spots on Scotland’s west coast.
Looking to do more? Discover guided experiences from our island partners, including wildlife tours, distillery visits and more.
How to get to Mull and Iona?
Getting there is straightforward, with a scenic journey by train and ferry:
Take the ScotRail train from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban
Sail from Oban to Craignure on Mull (approx. 45–55 minutes)
Travel across Mull to Fionnphort (around 1.5 hours)
Take the short ferry to Iona (around 10 minutes)
With a few connections, it’s a journey that rewards you with some of Scotland’s most memorable island scenery.
Planning to bring your car to Iona? One of the best ways to experience Iona is on foot - as vehicle access to the island is restricted to local residents and authorised permit holders. Once on Mull visitors can drive from Craignure to Fionnphort and leave their car at the car park in Fionnphort and enjoy the ferry on foot.
How much does the ferry to Mull and Iona cost?
Return ferry fares from Oban to Mull start from around £9.80 per person for adult foot passengers, with onward travel to Iona from around £4.80 per person.
Good to know:
Children under 5 travel free
Children aged 5–15 travel at half price
Bikes travel free, but you’ll need to reserve a space when booking
Colonsay Getaway from Oban
Remote, peaceful and beautifully unspoilt, Colonsay is a rewarding escape where wide beaches, quiet walks and local food take centre stage.
Is Colonsay worth visiting?
If you’re looking to get further off the beaten path, Colonsay offers a truly relaxed island experience:
Stunning beaches, including sweeping sands and clear waters
A slower pace of life, perfect for switching off
A small but vibrant local food scene, with places to eat and drink
What is there to do on Colonsay?
With more time, Colonsay is ideal for gentle exploration and enjoying the landscape:
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Visit Kiloran Bay and Balnahard Beach
These are some of the island’s most beautiful spots, with wide sandy bays, dunes and coastal views that feel completely untouched.
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Go walking or birdwatching
Follow quiet paths across the island and keep an eye out for seabirds and wildlife — Colonsay is a great place for nature lovers.
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Visit the Colonsay Gin Distillery
Sample locally produced gin made using island botanicals, offering a unique taste of Colonsay.
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Stop for a bite to eat
Enjoy local food at spots like the Colonsay Hotel or The Pantry, known for fresh ingredients and relaxed island dining.
Looking to do more? Discover guided experiences from our island partners.
How do I get to the Isle of Colonsay?
Getting there is part of the adventure, with a longer but scenic journey by train and ferry:
Take the ScotRail train from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban
Sail from Oban to Colonsay (approx. 2 hours 15 minutes)
It’s a longer crossing, but one that rewards you with a true sense of escape as you head further into the Hebrides.
How much does the ferry to Colonsay cost?
Return ferry fares from Oban to Colonsay start from around £19.90 per person for adult foot passengers.
Good to know:
Children under 5 travel free
Children aged 5–15 travel at half price
Bikes travel free, but you’ll need to reserve a space when booking
Coll Getaway from Oban
Coll is the place to switch off, unwind and enjoy Scotland at its most peaceful as it offers quiet beaches, open skies and a slower rhythm of life.
Is Coll worth visiting?
If you’re looking to properly disconnect, Coll is one of the most relaxing islands you can reach from Oban:
Unspoilt beaches and clear waters, often with very few people around
One of the UK’s best dark sky locations, perfect for stargazing
A laid-back atmosphere, ideal for slowing down and recharging
What to do on the Isle of Coll?
Coll is all about simple pleasures including fresh air, big skies and time outdoors:
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Experience Coll’s dark skies
Coll is a designated Dark Sky Community, making it one of the best places in Scotland for stargazing. On clear nights, expect incredible views of the Milky Way.
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Cycle across the island
With quiet roads and relatively flat terrain, Coll is perfect for exploring by bike. Take your time and enjoy the ever-changing coastal views.
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Relax on Coll’s beaches
From golden sands to turquoise waters, Coll’s beaches feel remote and untouched, making them ideal for a peaceful walk or simply taking in the scenery.
Looking to do more? Discover guided experiences from our island partners.
How long is the ferry from Oban to Coll?
Getting there takes a little longer, but that’s part of what keeps Coll so peaceful:
Take the ScotRail train from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban
Sail from Oban to Coll (approx. 2 hours 40 minutes)
The journey out into the Hebrides sets the tone for a slower, more relaxed escape.
How much does the ferry to Coll cost?
Return ferry fares from Oban to Coll start from around £23.60 per person for adult foot passengers.
Good to know:
Children under 5 travel free
Children aged 5–15 travel at half price
Bikes travel free, but you’ll need to reserve a space when booking
Tiree Getaway from Oban
Tiree is known for its beaches and outdoor energy, making it one of the most unique island escapes from Oban. Just picture wide skies, white sands and steady Atlantic winds, perfect for various watersports.
Is Tiree worth visiting?
Known as the "Hawaii of the North", Tiree is famous for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and some of the highest sunshine levels in the UK. If you’re after fresh air and open space with a more active edge, Tiree stands out:
Some of Scotland’s best beaches, with white sand and turquoise waters
More hours of sunshine help create a warmer, brighter island feel, with waters full of marine life
A hub for watersports, thanks to consistent winds
Distinctive machair landscapes, full of colour in spring and summer
What to do on the Isle of Tiree?
Tiree offers a mix of adventure and scenery, with plenty to explore over a few days:
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Try watersports on the west coast
Tiree is known as the windsurfing capital of the UK, with excellent conditions for windsurfing, kitesurfing and paddleboarding.
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Explore the island’s beaches
From Balephuil to Gott Bay, Tiree’s beaches are wide, clean and often uncrowded, perfect for long walks or simply enjoying the views.
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Discover the machair landscapes
In the warmer months, the island’s machair bursts into colour with wildflowers, creating one of Scotland’s most distinctive coastal environments.
Looking to do more? Discover guided experiences from our island partners.
How long is the ferry from Oban to Tiree?
Getting to Tiree takes about 4 hours, but the journey is part of the experience:
Take the ScotRail train from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban
Sail from Oban to Tiree (approx. 3 hours 50 minutes)
As you travel further west, the scenery opens up into wide ocean views and remote island landscapes.
How much does the ferry cost from Oban to Tiree?
Return ferry fares from Oban to Tiree start from around £28.40 per person for adult foot passengers.
Good to know:
Children under 5 travel free
Children aged 5–15 travel at half price
Bikes travel free, but you’ll need to reserve a space when booking
Barra Getaway from Oban
Remote, rugged and full of character, Barra offers a true Outer Hebrides experience, with dramatic coastlines, historic sights and a real sense of adventure.
Is Barra worth visiting?
If you’re looking to go further and experience something different, Barra delivers:
A true Outer Hebrides feel, with a strong island identity
Beautiful beaches and coastal scenery, often completely unspoilt
Historic landmarks, including castles and walking routes
What to do on the Isle of Barra?
With more time, Barra offers a mix of history, scenery and exploration:
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Explore Castlebay and Kisimul Castle
Visit the main village of Castlebay, where Kisimul Castle sits on a small island in the bay — one of Scotland’s most distinctive historic sights.
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Discover the Beaches of Barra and Vatersay
Together, Barra and neighbouring Vatersay offer some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the Outer Hebrides, with white-sand beaches, clear waters and a real sense of escape.
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Follow walking trails across the island
Connected to Barra by causeway, Vatersay is easy to reach and well worth the extra time. Its stunning beaches feel peaceful, open and beautifully remote.
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Follow walking trails across the island
Take in the island’s landscapes on foot, with routes that offer coastal views, hills and quiet stretches of countryside.
Looking to do more? Discover guided experiences from our island partners, including wildlife tours and outdoor activities.
How long is the ferry from Oban to Barra?
Barra is the furthest island in this guide, but the journey always adds to the experience:
Take the ScotRail train from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban
Sail from Oban to Barra (approx. 4 hours 45 minutes)
This longer crossing takes you deep into the Outer Hebrides, making it feel like a true island adventure.
How much is the ferry from Oban to Barra?
Return ferry fares from Oban to Barra start from around £39.40 per person for adult foot passengers.
Good to know:
Children under 5 travel free
Children aged 5–15 travel at half price
Bikes travel free, but you’ll need to reserve a space when booking
