This trip was different for me. This trip was to attend a wedding. Usually, the way is to find a cheap flight and plan a trip around that. My niece got married in London. I wouldn’t miss that for anything. So, I got plane tickets for my hubby, son, and myself.

That post is here: A week in London with the family! England, here we come!
Of course, I needed to optimise the cost of the flight. I also needed to optimise the carbon footprint. So when hubby and son went home after a busy week in London, I carried on.

I spent a couple of days with a friend I met in South America. Then, I went on a 5-day trip with Rabbie’s tours in Wales. That post is here: 5 days in Wales with Rabbie’s Tours

Next I took the train from London to Edinburgh. Flights are often cheaper. However, you have to get to and from the airport, which can add up. Also, it doesn’t take much less time with all the waiting. Plus there’s the carbon footprint. The train to me is MUCH more enjoyable! The journey from London to Edinburgh took about 6 hours. There are faster trains but I’m in no hurry. The scenery is amazing. With free wifi on board you can even get things done.

Upon arrival at Waverly in Edinburgh I headed straight for the hostel I’d booked. The Code was a mere 15 minute walk from the station. Straight up hill. Another good reason to travel light.

After checking in I went on a walk about to get the lay of the land and grabbed a shwarma for dinner. Edinburgh is a delight! It looks like something out of a Harry Potter movie. More about Edinburgh in the next post.

June 2, 2023
I walked to the bus station and met Paul, our driver for the next 5 days and the 8 other passengers on this Rabbies Trail burners tour of Iona, Mull and Skye Isle. ( https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh/5-6-day-tours/iona-mull-the-Isle-of-skye-5-day-tour )We immediately set off and stopped at several places before reaching our destination of Oban.

Day 2

Paul picked us up at our various accommodations promptly at 6:30 am and we headed for the ferry to Mull. I befriended some birdwatching men who visit every year. They told me that the glass calm sea and sunshine were very unusual for the islands. Lucky me! They pointed out seals and I even saw a minke whale from a distance.

We drove all the way across Mull on the single track road. There are sporadic wide spots for passing and getting out of the way for oncoming traffic. There’s a lot of friendly waving . Drivers are patient and it all seems so considerate and calm compared to city and highway driving.

There we left Paul and boarded a small boat bound for Staffa. It’s a volcanic island and a nesting ground for puffins. Beautiful! The boat took us to Iona where we spend some time wandering before meeting Paul for the ferry to Mull. The drive back was different as it’s from the other direction. Sounds weird but the views are not the same.

Then another fery back to Oban where I joined 3 other ladies and we went for seafood dinner. Yummy mussels!

They’d had enough walking so I took of on my own to see McCaig’s tower. Straight uphill and a lot of steps but the view was fantastic.

Sunday.

The first stop today was at an oyster farm. Fresh oysters are left in a cooler at the gate and you pay on the honour system. The farm is owned by friends of Paul’s. We all got to taste one. Hmm. It was salty and weird and I wasn’t sure if I liked it so I tried another. I think they’d grow on me.

Next stop was a nature reserve at Glencoe. What a gorgeous area! We went to the visitor’s centre, learned about homes built from turf and went for a short hike.

Then the infamous Loch Ness (no sign of Nessie) and the Caledonian Canal. Of course Paul had some great stories along the way.

Next stop was the Eilean Donan castle. The tide was out so I got to have great walk around it. It was still early so Paul stopped at another park where we could go for a nice walk. I love how the itinerary is flexible with Rabbie’s! There were 9 people on our tour. MUCH easier to manage than a big bus tour

I was dropped of at my b&b in Kyle of Lochalsh while the others proceeded to Plockton. Rabbie’s did a great job booking my accommodations but I ended up paying moore than the others, simply beause I booked so late. So. It pays to plan ahead folks!

Monday. We spent he whole day of the Isle of Skye. Paul found some great places for amazing views and pleasant hikes. I’m going to have to come back someday and do more of some of those hikes. Skye is gorgeous! We had dinner together in Portree before heading back to our accommodations.

Tuesday, June 6. Time to head back to Edinburgh. Paul made the most of the time with several stops along the way.

This was my second trip with Rabbie’s and I’d go again in a heartbeat. If you’re going during high season though, book as soon as you can. Accommodations are hard to get in some areas.

Paul dropped us off at he bus station and we all said good bye. I walked to the hostel I’d booked in Grassmarket. ( The KickAss Grassmarket )The next few days I spent on my own exploring Edinburgh. That ‘s a separate post!