Scottish Island Hopping Itinerary: 5 stunning islands in 10 days!

Dreaming of exploring the wild and beautiful Scottish islands, but put off by the crowds of Skye? This island-hopping itinerary takes you through the Inner Hebrides’ highlights to some of the lesser known islands: the rugged beauty of Mull, the spiritual calm of Iona, the puffins and sea caves of Staffa, the whisky heartland of Islay, and the remote wilderness of Jura.  

This is a pretty tight itinerary but is perfectly do-able with only 6 days off work; the perfect addition to a bank holiday. Of course if you have more time available you could easily extend the trip to two weeks, or even longer, and really get to know the islands.

With a mix of ferry journeys, historic sites, whisky tasting, wildlife encounters, and coastal hikes, this is the ultimate guide to planning your adventure.  We’ll assume you’re starting in Glasgow, so adjust your timings from there.

Day 1 - The scenic route to Mull

Most travellers to Mull will arrive on the island at Craignure, having taken the ferry from Oban.  We decided to add in an extra wee ferry and take the scenic drive to Lochaline on the Morvern peninsula. 

Leaving Glasgow you will follow the road along the western shore of Loch Lomond, through the villages of Crianlarich and Tyndrum, and onto the majestic (although very busy) Glencoe. The Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum is worth a stop for a traditional Scottish breakfast or a quick cup of coffee. 

Cross the Ballachulish Bridge and continue on to Corran, where you take the Corran Ferry over to the Morvern peninsula. This 5 minute ferry is operated by Highland Council and runs approximately every half hour.  It is a non-bookable service and payment can be made onboard by card or cash.

Once over in Morven follow the road towards Strontian, then turn left along the southern shore of Loch Sunart, and take the single track road to Lochaline.

From Lochaline take the first of your Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) ferries over to Fishnish on Mull.  The MV Lochinvar runs approximately every hour and takes around 20 minutes to make the crossing.  This is another ‘turn-up and go’ service, so cannot be booked in advance.  Tickets are purchased at the port as you arrive.

On arrival at Fishnish, head north to the colourful seafront town of Tobermory. Spend the evening wandering the harbor and sampling local seafood.  We recommend the famous Mishnish Hotel for their delicious local food and live music nights.  Sarah particularly enjoyed the Cullen Skink, which was packed with seafood.

Day 2 - Exploring North Mull

Discover Mull’s wild northern coast, with a drive up to the beautiful white sandy beach at Calgary, passing through the village of Dervaig with its unusual white round tower church. 

Once you’ve had your fill of the beach, and maybe an ice cream from Robin’s Boat ice cream shop, you can either camp at the Calgary Beach Campsite (which was fairly full when we visited) or head on down the west coast to the small campsite at Killiechronan.  The drive down the west coast is stunning, with views out to the islands of Ulva and Gometra, past the Eas Fors Waterfall, then along the side of Loch na Keal.

Day 3 - Fionnphort on the Ross of Mull

From Killiechronan you can either follow the western coast road towards Clachandhu, or cut back across the island to Salen and head down the east coast.  We intended to travel west, but the road was closed by a landslide when we were there!  Whichever way you travel you will eventually end up on the southern shore of Loch Scridain, passing through Pennyghael, then on to Bunessan and Fionnphort (pronounced finn-eh-fort).

We highly recommend the campsite at Fidden Farm, with its waterfront pitches and stunning views over the bay.

It’s a pleasant walk from the campsite into Fionnphort, where you can enjoy a delicious meal at the Keel Row pub (booking advised) or grab some fresh, local seafood from the Creel Seafood Bar. 

Day 4 - Day Trip to Iona & Staffa

A must-do highlight of this itinerary was our trip to Staffa.  We took the boat from Fionnphort out to Staffa with Staffa Tours, and had an amazing experience. We were incredibly lucky to witness a mass feeding frenzy on our way to Staffa, with dozens of Gannets, a huge pod of Common Dolphins, and four Minke Whales all vying for food.

Once on Staffa, we walked along the incredible hexagonal basalt columns to the famous Fingal’s Cave and headed up onto the top of the island to the puffin breeding grounds.  Early August is late in the season for puffins, but we still managed to catch sight of a couple of birds flying into their nests.  Sarah also was lucky enough to spot an Orca off the coast of Staffa on her way back to the harbour, which we believe was one of the last two remaining West Coast Resident Orcas.

The boat calls into Iona on the way back to Fionnphort, so if you take the morning tour out to Staffa, you'll have time to jump off and explore Iona too.  You can then make your own way back to Fionnphort as a foot passenger on the Calmac ferry.

On Iona, you can explore the iconic Abbey and ruined Nunnery, visit the local art and craft galleries, and enjoy the peaceful beaches of this spiritual island. Why not stop for a drink and enjoy the harbour views from the Argyll Hotel while you wait for the ferry.

Day 5 - Ferry to Oban & onwards to Islay

The ferry from Oban to Islay only sails on a Wednesday and Saturday, so make sure you time your trip around this if you want to follow our route.

Take a morning ferry from Craignure over to Oban, and you'll have time to quickly explore the “Gateway to the Isles” before the ferry to your next island.

Explore the shops, try some more local seafood (or as is tradition for the boys - an ice cream in the rain!), or enjoy a coastal walk before boarding the 1630 sailing to Port Askaig on Islay.

This scenic route takes you past Kerrera and the Slate Islands to the Isle of Colonsay and onwards to Islay, but unfortunately you won't be able to disembark on Colonsay unless you add a few days to your trip and catch the next Islay ferry on Saturday. Alternatively you can travel from Colonsay back to Oban, or save Colonsay for your next island adventure!

Days 6 and 7 - Exploring Islay

Known as the "Queen of the Hebrides", Islay is renowned for its landscapes and rich cultural heritage. 

We often joke that the best thing about Islay is the view of Jura - but it’s the whisky that truly sets it apart. With nine working distilleries, its unique and diverse range of single malts are well worth checking out. The current distilleries are; Ardbeg, Ardnahoe, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig.

It’s not all about the whisky though; check out the stunning white sandy beaches, visit the American monument on the Oa peninsula, pay a visit to the historical site of Finlaggan, home of the Lords of the Isles during the 13th to 15th centuries, or go bird watching at the RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinart.  If you’re after more fresh, local seafood try the Islay Oyster Shed or Orsay Seafood Shack at Portnahaven.

The Port Mor campsite just outside of Port Charlotte has lovely sea views and great facilities.  

For more things to do and accommodation options on Islay take a look at the great Islay Info website.

Days 8 and 9 - Discover Jura

You’ve saved the best for last with a trip to Jura (in our somewhat biased opinion). Jura is a just a short hop from Islay, on the regular Jura ferry across the Sound of Islay.

Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or a deeper connection with nature, the Isle of Jura has something for everyone. Its unspoiled beauty and welcoming community make it a memorable destination for travelers looking to escape the hustle and bustle. Here are a few of our favourite things to do on our beautiful island.

Jura's Wildlife

One of the most striking features of Jura is its population of red deer. With an estimated population of around 5,000 deer, Jura is home to one of the highest densities of red deer in the UK. 

Jura is also a sanctuary for other wildlife, including the elusive otter and a remarkable variety of bird species. The island is particularly known for its population of golden eagles, hen harriers and even sea eagles, which can be spotted soaring majestically over the cliffs and coastlines. 

Exploring the Coastline

Jura’s rugged coastline is dotted with beautiful beaches and hidden coves, which you are likely to have all to yourselves! Spend a day beachcombing, picnicing, or simply enjoying the views. 

Climb a Pap

Climb a Pap, or take a guided walk with Jura local, Grant, who offers guided walks at varying levels of difficulty as Jura Guided.

Visit one of Jura’s Distilleries

Jura is rightly famous for its whisky, and many visitors come to Jura especially to pay a visit to the Jura Whisky Distillery, but Jura is also home to Lussa Gin and Deer Island Rum.  Book yourself a tour and tasting of your favourite tipple, or all three!

Take a boat trip to the Corryvreckan Whirlpool

The Corryvreckan is the third largest whirlpool in the world, and the most exciting way to see it is from the water.  Book a trip with Jura Boat Tours and experience it for yourself.

For more information and accommodation on Jura take a look at the Isle of Jura website or download our Digital Guide.

Day 10: Return Journey

Ferry from Jura back to Islay, then from Islay to Kennacraig, then drive back to Glasgow via Inverary.

Practical Tips for Your Island Hopping Itinerary

Best Time to Visit: May–September for the best weather and wildlife (puffins on Staffa in summer, red deer rut on Jura in autumn).

Transport: A car is highly recommended, but buses and local tours are available.

Ferry Bookings: Reserve CalMac ferries well in advance, especially for Islay and Mull in peak season.

Why Choose This Itinerary?

This 10-day Hebridean island hopping itinerary combines history, whisky, wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. From the sacred isle of Iona to the whisky capital of Islay and the remote wilderness of Jura, it’s the perfect balance of culture and adventure.

Looking for a longer trip? 

This itinerary can easily be extended; there’s plenty more to explore on each of these amazing islands, or you could add a day trip to the Isle of Ulva off the west coast of Mull, or spend a night in Oban and hike up to McCaig’s Tower or tour the Oban Distillery. You could also pay a visit to Colonsay on your way to Islay, but you’d need to add a few days as the ferry only calls in on a Wednesday and Saturday.  Or why not add a visit to Gigha too, the ferry departs just down the road from Kennacraig. 

Which island is on your must-see list, and why?

Winter in the Lake District?

We recently spent our half-term holiday in the Lakes. We had a great few days in the Langdale Valley, an area we know very well, especially me (Ridley) as I have been holidaying there for as long as I can remember!

Why visit the Lakes in Winter?

The Lake District, often known simply as 'the Lakes' is a beautiful region of Cumbria in the North West of England. Home to England's largest National Park, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts visitors from all over the UK and abroad who come to explore the stunning landscapes, pretty slate villages, and expansive lakes. 

The latest surveys estimate that around 18 million visitors travel to the Lake District every year, which can lead to large crowds at popular destinations during peak periods.

That's the main reason we recommend visiting in winter, as you can avoid the majority of the crowds, especially if you can avoid weekends and holidays.

Winter weather in the Lake District

Admittedly, the weather can be a bit unpredictable at this time of year. Last week started with overnight temperatures around freezing, but clear skies and milder days. By the end of the week the temperature had risen to double digits (Celsius) and we had a fair amount of rain!

It is also not uncommon to have snow in the lakes at this point of the season, and there was a light dusting on the fell (hill) tops this year.

Ambleside Weather

As the saying goes, "there's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing"! 

What to pack for winter in the Lakes

Winter clothing in the Lakes is all about layers, as the temperature or your activity levels fluctuate it's great to be able to quickly add or remove a layer and regulate your body temperature. This is where a small daysack / backpack comes in handy!

Base layers - thermal base layers are a great addition to your outdoor wardrobe.  We're massive fans of merino wool for base layers; they're warm, comfortable, and naturally odour resistant!  Icebreaker make a great range of thermals in various weights.

Mid layer - depending on your level of activity, and the weather on the day, you may need more or less mid-layers.  Quite often Innes and I don't bother with a mid layer, but Struan and Sarah almost always do.  An extra thermal, a shirt, or a lightweight fleece or hoodie, will work just fine.   

Outer Layers - a wind and waterproof jacket is essential, and we highly recommend a pair of waterproof over-trousers too.

Hiking Boots - a decent pair of hiking boots or approach shoes is important. 

Wooly Hat (Toque) - a warm hat is handy for the evenings, although you can just re-purpose your Buff.

Sunglasses - the winter sun is often low in the sky, so a pair of sunglasses can be handy!

Backpack - not essential, but really handy for carrying extra layers, snacks for the kids, water etc.  I'd recommend a waterproof bag if possible - we really like our Seal Line Skylake Dry Backpack.

RUX - we love our RUXs, they're perfect for carrying all of this kit!

Go Pro - if you don't have video for your favourite social site did your Lake District trip even happen?

Radios - we find our Rocky Talkies to be invaluable for keeping in touch on the mountain without digging around in your pockets for your phone.  We generally give one to Struan, so when he bombs off without us we can find him again!

Re-usable Water Bottle - we're all about reducing unnecessary plastic waste and if you've read any of our other posts, you'll know it has to be Yeti!

Apres Adventure - Most places in the Lakes are pretty relaxed, and are set up for muddy boots, and muddy dogs, so you don't need much in the way of extra clothing, you may just stay in your outdoor gear, in fact i think a lot of people in the Lakes just dress like that to fit in, even if they haven't been out on the Fells!  Don't forget to pack your swim shorts/suit if you're lucky enough to have a pool or hot tub for some apres adventure relaxing.

Where to Stay 

For winter camping you can't get much better than the Great Langdale Campsite, run by the National Trust.  It's a beautiful spot, up the Langdale Valley, with excellent, clean and warm bathroom facilities. It's also just across one field and the road from the Old Dungeon Ghyll, where you'll find the famous Climbers' Bar.  Think stone floors, wooden benches, an open fire and hearty food. The campsite officially has a two night minimum stay if you book online, but they happily accepted us for a single night in February.

If you'd like somewhere a bit more luxurious, we highly recommend the Langdale Estate.  We've had a timeshare lodge here for as long as I can remember.  The Scandinavian style lodges are carefully set around the former gun-powder factory to take advantage of the views of the fells and the water mills. There's a great pool and spa facility, an onsite bar and restaurant and they also run the traditional pub Wainright's just along the road.    

Cathedral Cave

Both the campsite and Langdale are perfectly placed for a hike to the Cathedral Cavern.  This former slate quarry in the Little Langdale Valley consists of a number of interconnected slate mines, including a very impressive central cave.  

Take a head-torch and see if you can find the tunnel through the mountain.

Don't miss Slater's Bridge while you're there.

Arundel, West Sussex

So, it's been a while since we posted; fear not we've still been adventuring!  It's actually been a pretty busy summer of exploring the UK, I will get round to writing up some more posts shortly.

For now, let me tell you about last weekend's trip to Arundel in West Sussex.  We've driven past Arundel lots of times since we got back to the UK, and have always admired the imposing castle and cathedral, but this was the first time we've managed to pay a visit.  Sarah initiated a meet up of the southern cousins, and somehow we all agreed on Arundel!

Of course Team Errington couldn't pass up on the opportunity to camp in the Landy, so while the rest of the (local) family only popped down from London for the day, we made a weekend of it and spent the night at a the campsite at the Ship and Anchor pub in nearby Ford.  Struan happened to have a rugby tournament at nearby Worthing RFC on the Sunday, so it all worked out nicely!

The Ship and Anchor has a lovely quiet (at least in October) campsite right next to the pub, and it is a beautiful easy walk along the River Arun into Arundel (approx 3 miles).  The river is very strongly tidal, and we're eyeing it up for a future SUP/Canoe trip!  If you don't fancy the walk back you can also catch the local train between Arundel and Ford for a few pounds which was definitely appreciated by tired little legs on our way home.

Arundel is an impressive medieval town, dominated by the imposing castle and cathedral and with some stunning buildings.  We happened to time it right and also caught the monthly farmer's market (3rd Saturday of every month), which had some lovely local stalls.  Naturally we had to buy a bottle of the local Arundel Gin, the honey gin is highly recommended!  There's also a great selection of independent shops and lots of bars and restaurants, and it appears to be the cake capital of the world with delicious looking (and tasting) cakes at every juncture.  We didn't actually make it into the castle, as we ran out of time, but I'm sure we'll be back to check it out soon. 

After a wander around the town, we headed up to Fauna Brewing, who have great selection of beers brewed on site, and some lovely wood fired pizzas.  They also donate a percentage of their profits to various wildlife conservation charities, what's not to like! 

Overall, Arundel is definitely worth a visit, check it out if you're down this way!