Isle of Iona Campsite ( Cnoc Oran )

Isle of Iona Campsite (Cnoc Oran) offers small-scale camping with a semi-wild feel on the island off Mull’s south-western tip. Pitches are in an open field, with toilets and showers providing the essentials without losing that back-to-basics character. Tents and dogs are welcome, and campfires are permitted. Arrival takes a little planning: travel across Mull to Fionnphort for the passenger ferry, then carry your kit on the short walk from Iona’s pier to the campsite. Packing light makes sense here. A pub and restaurant are within walking distance, while the campsite’s season runs from 1 April to 31 October, with online booking available.

Iona’s beaches give plenty of reason to spend time exploring on foot. The North End has sandy shores, dunes and colourful rocks, while the west-facing Bay at the Back of the Ocean offers a more exposed Atlantic shoreline. For a longer outing, St Columba’s Bay is reached by walking south across the machair and past a loch to a stone beach traditionally associated with Columba’s arrival. Paths can be boggy, so stout footwear is useful.

For a different perspective, climb Dun I, the island’s highest point at around 100 metres, for panoramic views. Iona Abbey adds historical depth to a stay: its restored church, high crosses and museum of early medieval carved stones illuminate the island’s long religious history. The ruined Augustinian nunnery is another worthwhile stop, contrasting with the abbey’s continuing role as a place of worship.