From Rothesay and the Isle of Bute, my Scotland journey continued on to Glasgow, Oban, Mull, and the Isle of Iona. Leaving on a train from Glasgow, my friend and I started our adventure up the western part of Scotland into the Highlands.
TIP: Before boarding, double check which car of the train you should be in. Only the first two cars went to Oban, and others headed to different destinations. A simple mistake could send you in the wrong direction!
I know it’s been 10 years since this journey, but I looked up the train route, and we passed Loch Lomond, Crainlarich, Tyndrum, Balmally, Loch Awe, and Connel Ferry. As we traveled along the West Highland Line, the scenery became more breathtaking. At one point, we passed a tiny village perched on the edge of a loch, its old church standing gracefully by the water. The train made a brief stop there, but we had to stay aboard, watching as the peaceful landscape slipped by. Further along, Kilchurn Castle appeared on another loch—a striking and timeless sight against the rugged Scottish backdrop.
Arriving in Oban, we checked into our hotel and set out to explore. The town had a lively yet relaxed atmosphere, with the salty breeze from the harbor and the scent of fresh seafood. Boats bobbed gently in the water, and the streets were lined with restaurants, quaint shops, and tour companies ready to guide you on your next adventure.
That evening, we had incredible fish and chips at the Oban Fish and Chip Shop, a place that has been serving locals and travelers for decades since it was started by an Italian couple, Onorio and Elvera Di Ciacca. It’s still there today, and for good reason. It was delicious!
Before calling it a night, we stopped by the West Coast Tours office and they were so nice! We checked on our tickets we had booked for the next day's adventure: a journey to the Isles of Mull and Iona. We also popped into a few local shops, where I found beautifully packaged soap gift sets and a silver ring at The Iona Shop—a place that remains a fixture in Oban to this day.
The next morning, our island-hopping adventure began. A ferry carried us over to Craignure on the Isle of Mull, where a waiting bus took us across the island. Mull itself was stunning—rolling hills, vast stretches of untouched nature, and occasional glimpses of wildlife. The ride was mostly a means of getting to Iona, but our guide shared bits of history along the way. I loved the small bridges that I didn’t think our tour buses would clear, and we saw dots of sheep and an oyster farm.
After about an hour or so, we arrived at Fionnphort, where the buses parked and we hopped a very small ferry to cross the Sound of Iona, which is in between the Inner Hebridean Islands and which forms part of the Atlantic Ocean. We could see Iona not far away, and the ferry only took 15-20 minutes.
Iona is a small island with a powerful history. It was here that St. Columba arrived from Ireland in 563 AD, founding the abbey that would bring Christianity to Scotland. As we wandered, we passed small shops, self-sustaining gardens, art galleries, and quiet corners.
When we reached Iona Abbey, most visitors were following a guide, but there was one lovely moment that has stayed with me over the years. I noticed a man, sitting in a wheelchair, reading his Bible, completely engulfed in the Word while others walked around. A shaft of light fell across him, and it was such a powerful, beautiful scene that has remained with me ever since.
The Abbey itself is awe-inspiring—the architecture, the cloister, the intricate carved stones, and crosses. As I often do, I lit candles for my parents and took a few moments of quiet reverence.
After walking through the church, we came upon the Abbey Museum. It was here that I was face-to-face with my history. I saw this beautiful cross carved in 1489, and it said Mackinnon Cross. I was in shock. I had no idea that my relatives, my clan, hailed from this very area—let alone played such an important role in Iona's legacy.
Upon further reading, it turns out that Abbot John Mackinnon was the last abbot of the holy isle and is buried in the Abbey. He died around 1500 and was also Bishop of the Isles. I had come to Iona as a traveler, but in that moment, I felt something so much deeper—a connection to this place that I never expected.
Heading back across Mull and returning to Oban, the landscape felt different. Scotland had always seemed like a place of beauty and history, but now, it also felt so sacred and personal.
Coming in the next few weeks: Stirling, Melrose, Stonehaven, Dunnottar, Balmoral and Edinburgh.