The ship’s engine started early this morning as the Lord of the Glens set off from Oban towards Craignure on the Isle of Mull. This was the beginning of our exploration of the islands of the Inner Hebrides.

From Craignure, we bussed across Mull through green valleys and rugged mountains to Fionnphort and the ferry crossing to Iona. This small island is where Columba came from Ireland in 563AD to establish a Christian presence that spread across Scotland. Under sunny skies, we toured the 13th-century Benedictine Abbey, viewed other historic buildings, and enjoyed walks around the island.

On the bus ride back to the ship, we detoured off the main route to visit Clan MacLean’s Duart Castle, an imposing building on the edge of the Sound of Mull. The day was capped off by a talk from the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust.