We are often asked How far is it to Iona? by guests who have just arrived for their holiday at Treshnish.
How far is it to Iona?
The Isle of Iona is a small island just off the south west coast of the isle of Mull. It accessed by a passenger ferry which takes 10 – 15 minutes.
How far is it to drive from Treshnish to Fionnphort?
A lovely day out taking a friend to Iona yesterday.
We left home just after 8am and were in good time to park and walk down to the pier for the 10.30am ferry. In no particular hurry. The views are so wonderful whichever route you take and there is always something to look at. The 2 hours drive seemed to go very quickly.
Leaving early
Getting to Iona early means you are there before the bulk of the visitors arrive. Bear in mind this is in August and there are inevitably a lot of visitors!
We stopped to talk to a friend while we drank delicious coffee from the Iona Craft Shop. Walked through the beautiful Nunnery and up to the Abbey. No one else in the peaceful cloisters while we were there. Having spent about an hour at the Abbey we came out to find lots of people in the Abbey grounds and along the road. Suddenly it seemed busy! So the early start had been worth it for the time in the Abbey almost on our own.
Walking and exploring
We decided not to take our bikes and to concentrate on one bit of the island. So after the Abbey we headed up to the north end of the island. Swam on the beach in the photograph of the croft house with the red roof. It was possibly the best swim so far of the summer!! After our swim a bowl of delicious soup at the St Columba Hotel. Sat outside in the warm sun.
The late summer flowers are wonderful. Views to the pink granite coastline of the Ross of Mull, just magical.
Details of the journey
Drove to Fionnphort via Dervaig, Glen Bellart/Aros, Salen, Craignure. Back via the scenic route from Loch Scridian to Gruline via Kilfinichen and Gribun. Then via Ulva Ferry to home. It took about the same length of time to get home, and we stopped for a flask of tea at Gribun.
