Recently we went to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles with Turus Mara *. My two brothers and their boys came with us making it a real family day out. It was a day I will always remember. Totally and wonderfully magical.
I have put dozens more photographs of Staffa and Lunga on the Farm blog here.
10% discount in 2018
Turus Mara are offering our guests a 10% discount on their trips from Ulva Ferry to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles. Once you have made a booking to stay with us, we will forward you the details of how to take up your 10% discount – either if you want to book well in advance or when you get here!
Depart from Ulva Ferry
We left Ulva Ferry just after 11.30am and went along the south side of Ulva and out to Staffa first. After an hour here, long enough to have our picnic, marvel at the wonderful views (and sense of space you get from being out there, looking back at Mull in all its beauty, and being that bit closer to Iona and the Ross of Mull too). You can walk into Fingals Cave before getting back onto the boat. I stayed on the edge of the cave but the kids and their dads almost ran in…! We were the only boat in at that time, though another boat arrived just as we were gathering ourselves to leave.
Puffins galore!
25 minutes took us from Staffa to Lunga, where Turus Mara have their own pontoons for visitors to step on to, and then walk up the rocky beach to the well worn path. It was hot by now, and quite timely to have the excuse to drop to the ground and lie on ones belly watching the Puffins. Iain Morrison, who started Turus Mara about 40 years ago, coined the phrase ‘Puffin Therapy’ – and it is very apt. There is something about being able to be so close to the Puffins – their trust of us – that is very therapeutic.
Harp Rock is a bit noisier but equally magical. Again you can lie out on your belly and look over at the rock crammed with Guillemots and Razorbills, all fighting for their inch of space.
On the walk back to the boat it was lovely to see the Isle of Rum in the distance, with Muck faintly to the right of Rum.
Our journey back to Ulva Ferry gave us a wonderful view of the south side of the farm, from Treshnish Point, to Port Haunn and all the way down to our march (boundary) with Torloisk. A different perspective! All in all, it was a completely wonderful day, which I highly recommend everyone to do – once in their lifetime! Yes, we were extremely lucky with the weather – but even in not such good weather, the Puffins will be there to give out a bit of Puffin Therapy.
*Don’t forget to use your Turus Mara Special Offer – 10% when staying with us.
