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Mull Wildlife boat trips to Staffa, Treshnish Isles & Iona
Turus Mara are a family business based on the Isle of Mull. Established in 1973, we have been running boat trips for over 40 years. Tours can be joined from Mull and Oban and run from Ulva Ferry on Mull to Staffa, The Treshnish Isles and Iona.
Lunga, largest of the Treshnish Isles, has one of the most varied and accessible seabird colonies on the Western Seaboard. Dun Cruit (the Harp Rock stack), is home to more than 6,000 guillemot, razorbill, puffin, kittiwake,fulmar, shag, skua and many more. We provide a unique therapy in puffin watching at close quarters. This is much cheaper than a shrink!
Land on the world renowned Island of Staffa to experience the unique and awesome wonder of Fingal’s Cave. It takes little imagination to hear Mendelssohn’s music amongst the massive basaltic columns which create this natural cathedral.
Mainland based visitors buying the all-in day ticket from Oban (TourShop) will be taking the alternative scenic tour through Mull with extensive views of the rugged central area including the Last Island Munro, Benmore, the Isle of Inchkenneth (of Unity Mitford fame) and the panorama of isles West of Mull, en route to Ulva Ferry.
Iona, the sacred isle, has an aura of peace and serenity which leaves its mark on the most seasoned of travellers. Visit the Abbey, wander in the ruined Benedictine Nunnery and the Reilig Oran, burial place of 48 Scottish Kings, including the infamous MacBeth, and numerous French, Irish and Scandinavian monarchs.
Puffins nest on The Treshnish Isles and Staffa. "Coulterneb", "Sea parrot", "Tammynorie", a few of the nicknames attributed by humans to this fascinating comic seabird. In our limited abilities on this Earth we can ill afford to laugh at a creature which can fly thousands of miles in migration, dive to over 60 metres quickly and with ease, move at surprising speed on dry land and live to over 60 years of age while homo sapiens can just about put one foot in front of the other without falling over!
Common and Atlantic Grey Seals are virtually guaranteed every day with pups in June and September respectively. The Treshnish Isles are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to there importance as an Atlantic Grey Seal breeding site and it is estimated that over 1000 pups are born each year.
Wildlife Timetable:-
Puffin therapy:- mid April to 1st week in August
Auks:- Guillimots, Razorbills :- mid April to 3rd week July
Kittiwakes, Shags :- April to end August
Common Seal pups :- June
Atlantic Grey pups :- End August to end November
Basking sharks :-(rarely before) Mid-June to September
Dolphins, whales, porpoises, :- possible anytime.
Turus Mara, which means "sea journey", offer a cultural aspect to their cruises. One of few tourism activity operations run by an indigenous family – part of the commentary will usually be in Gaelic, the original language of the West Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
Ma tha Gaidhlig agaibh, faodaidh sibh fhaoighneachd airson beagan a thoirt dheth a phris.
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