Fionnphort
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Get in
A849 runs west from Craignure which has a ferry from Oban on the mainland; and Oban has buses and trains from Glasgow. The road follows the shore of Loch Scridain to Bunessan (30 miles) and Fionnphort (another 5 miles).
Bus 96 / 496 meets the ferries at Craignure and runs four times M-Sat and once on Sunday to , taking 70 mins. Here it connects with the ferry to Iona which sails roughly hourly 08:30-18:15, but on demand in summer, taking 10 mins. Adult single ferry fare is £1.75, bikes are free, visitors' cars are not permitted. Fionnphort ferry terminal has toilets and a small waiting room and snack bar.
Buses and ferries are held to make these connections but in bad weather, Fionnphort is exposed to the Atlantic and ferries may be cancelled for days on end. Ferry staff will advise non-residents against crossing to Iona if the forecast is bad.
There are two car parks in Fionnphort. There's a pay & display car park by the ferry pier; current charges unknown but the Council are proposing £9 / day for summer 2019. A quarter mile further back in the village, turn into the lane south for the Columba Centre car park, free, but it's small and fills up quickly in summer.
Get around
You'll want your own wheels between Bunessan and Fionnphort, since the bus is infrequent.
See
- Iona can easily be done as a day trip but deserves longer.
- is a tiny village 2 miles north of Fionnphort. It has a nice sheltered beach when the tide drops, suitable for children's bathing, but at high tide the beach is completely covered.
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Ardalanish Isle of Mull Weavers
phone: +44 1681 700265address: Bunessan PA67 6DRFarm, knitwear and gift shop, and you can tour the weaving mill. -
Ross Of Mull Historical Centre
phone: +44 1681 700659address: Millbrae Cottage, Bunessan PA67 6DGIt's really a local history archive and research centre rather than a museum. - Boat trips to on the island of Staffa, and the , may pick up from Fionnphort and Iona.
Do
- The best beach is on the south coast at Ardalanish: follow lane from village.
- Become a Monk or Nun. There are two religious retreats here, not open for casual visits:
- The Orthodox Monastery of All Celtic Saints north of Bunessan is mainly a centre for groups of Orthodox pilgrims going to & from Iona - they're already fully booked for 2019.
- All Hallows Convent (Anglican) was in Norfolk but has dispersed; they run Roan Cottage south of Bunessan for retreats and pilgrims.
- Another life contemplative is the Findhorn Community on the island of Erraid some 8 miles south of Fionnphort. It's a hell of a hike and best access is by boat, though perhaps not in the manner of David Balfour in RL Stevenson's novel Kidnapped - knocked senseless and carried away towards slavery in Carolina but shipwrecked here. Spoiler alert: David spends four days marooned before realising that Erraid is tidal. He can walk across to Mull whenever the tide goes out.
Buy
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phone: +44 1681 700395address: Post Office Stores, Bunessan PA67 6DGThe only proper store in the Ross of Mull, and the last chance to stock up before crossing to Iona. Good selection of food and other essentials, with off-license. More expensive than the mainland but decent value for such a remote spot. Also incorporates the local Post Office.
Eat
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phone: +44 1681 700757address: Bruach MhorSeafood dinners, licensed, booking essential.
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phone: +44 1681 700458
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phone: +44 1681700312address: Fionnphort Pier, PA66 6BLIt's a seafood takeaway in a cabin by the pier.
Drink
Argyll Arms has the only public bar.
Sleep
- is 2 miles south of Fionnphort. It's open May-Sept, with basic pitches by the shore and portacabin showers & toilets, tel +44 1681 700427.
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phone: +44 1681 700235Comfy friendly place close to the ferry pier. They also let The Bothy for self-catering by the week.
- Caol-Ithe does B&B and self-catering lets.
- Catchean Caravans are static for self-catering let by the week, Sat-Sat; they don't have tourer pitches.
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phone: +44 1681 700677B&B with four bedrooms en suite.
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phone: +44 1681 700505address: Ardalanish, Bunessan PA67 6DSNew owners in 2019 but still in business, 3-star B&B in modern building.
- There's also B&B at Newcrofts south of Fionnphort and Ardness House a couple of miles west.
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phone: +44 1681 700240address: Bunessan PA67 6DPHotel open Apr-Sept, restaurant and bar open all year daily.
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phone: +44 131 669-3082address: Lower Ardtun, BunessanBeach House is a restored farmhouse looking over Loch Scridain, half way between Bunessan and Pennyghael. (The name is Gaelic be-ach, bees, not beach which would be traigh.) The holiday home sleeps 8, let Sunday to Sunday. No availability however during 2019.
- Plus a couple of self-catering cottages in Bunessan.