Mull and Iona are islands located off the west coast of Argyll. Iona lies like a small satelite at the south west of Mull and is accessed from the larger island by ferry. The local authority for the area is Argyll and Bute Council. The total population is approximately 3,000 and the main settlement is Tobermory on Mull (approximately 700 people). The permanent population of Iona is around 85 people.
Transport
Road: Road access to Oban, the main emberkation port for both Mull and Iona, is good with regular bus services linking the area to the Central Lowlands and further north to Fort William and Inverness, and there is also a rail service from Glasgow to Oban. The road routes around Morvern and Ardnamurchan are mostly single track.
Ferries: Mull is served by three ferry services operated by Caledonian MacBrayne. The main route is through the port of Oban to Craignure, a sailing of approximately 45 minutes. The other ferries link Lochaline in Morvern with Fishnish on Mull and Kilchoan in Ardnamurchan with Tobermory on Mull.
Transport links:
- Caledonian MacBrayne
- Oban - Craignure ferry timetable
- Tobermory - Kilchoan ferry timetable
- Fishnish - Lochaline ferry timetable
- Bus services
Education:
There is a secondary school at Tobermory offering education up to 6th year. Tobermory High School draws its pupils from primary schools in Tobermory, Bunessan, Dervaig, Salen, Ulva, Lochdonhead and Iona. Provision of further education is through Argyll College learning centres at Tobermory and Fionnphort.
Healthcare Provision:
The area is served by the new acute hospital in Oban under the Argyll and Clyde Health Board. In addition, arrangements are in place for patients to receive treatment in Glasgow as necessary . The area has medical practices at Salen, Tobermory and Bunessan. There is also a dentist in Tobermory.
General:
The main shopping centre is Tobermory but many islanders also use the facilities in Oban. In addition, some villages also support a local store and post office. Industries include tourism, agriculture, fishing, aquaculture and forestry. Outdoor pursuits such as sailing, golf, canoeing, fishing, and walking can also be enjoyed. There is also a thriving arts scene encompassing music, drama and the visual arts and Mull hosts an annual car rally and high profile yacht race as part of its annual programme of events. Iona is the cradle of Christianity in Scotland and attracts many pilgrims from all over the world to visit the Abbey and other sacred and historical artefacts.
Community webstites:
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