Mull and Ancient Castles Cruise

After an absence of many years, the early 2000s saw the revival, albeit on a very limited scale, of day cruises out of Oban.

One such cruise took place on a Wednesday afternoon during 2004 and 2005, utilising Lord of the Isles following her arrival from Barra and South Uist. She would sail at 1500 on what was advertised as the 'Mull and Ancient Castles Cruise' a very grand title for what was essentially an extra car carrying run to Craignure and back.

Upon leaving Oban the vessel would pass south through the Sound of Kerrera before rounding the southern tip of the island to give a view of Gylen Castle, before crossing the Firth of Lorn to the coastline of Mull to give a view of Duart Castle and finally berthing at Craignure. Vehicle traffic would be offloaded and any inbound traffic loaded before the ferry returned to Oban by the usual route past Lismore lighthouse.

Occasionally special cruises would be carried out on a Tuesday, again with Lord of the Isles but instead of berthing at Craignure, she would instead sail up the west coast of Lismore and return via Port Appin.

Cruising from Oban ceased at the end of the 2006 season.