Living near the Gateway to the Isles

If you fancy a free ferry trip from Oban to Mull, Lismore, Colonsay, Coll, Tiree, Barra or South Uist there are currently free ferry tickets up for grabs as part of VisitScotland's Brilliant Island Moments campaign.  So where would you choose?  The islands that are scattered around Scotland's west coast offer some truly spectacular scenery and fantastic wildlife watching opportunities.  Here are some of my island highlights and photos.

Puffins on Treshnish

Staffa and Treshnish Isles
This is a fantastic day trip from Oban.  The awe-inspiring Fingal's Cave on the uninhabited Isle of Staffa is sure to fill you with wonder, with its impressive basalt columns.  A highlight of this day trip for me was when we landed on Treshnish and puffins wandered out from their burrow right next to where we had just sat down.

If you want to experience the atmospheric Fingal's Cave or enjoy some puffin-therapy, Turus Mara run wildlife trips to Mull, Iona, Staffa and the Treshnish Isles.

As well as exploring Staffa and Treshnish, you can hop on a boat from Mull to the enchanting Isle of Iona, with its wonderful Abbey.  

And if you're on Mull, you have to visit the magnificent Duart Castle, a watchman over the Sound of Mull.  Enjoy the sweeping views and its idyllic location (it reopens for the season on 1st April).

If you're visiting the beautiful island of Colonsay in spring, the Colonsay Festival of Spring (28th April - 18th May) is a great event, with a host of workshops, bird and historical walks and outdoor activities.

Tiree is ideal for easy walking as its very flat, the beaches are wonderful and there are fantastic views over to Mull, Iona and Staffa.  I particularly enjoyed visiting the Blue Beyond gallery, with its fabulous range of paintings, pottery, textiles and cards inspired by the Hebrides.

If you are lucky enough to win a pair of free tickets leaving from Oban, why not take a look at our availability and base yourself near the Gateway to the Isles.