Guest Rating
Just up the lane from the ferry landing stage on the beautiful Isle of Iona is Erraid, a traditional, whitewashed house that has been beautifully refurbished to provide all 21st century comforts in a traditional setting.
Quick Info
| Sleeps: 8 | Bedrooms: 4 |
| Changeover Day: Fri | Pets Allowed: Yes (2) |
| No smoking | Bathrooms: 2 |
| Licence No: AR00216F |
The house has been furnished and equipped with great care and skill in a manner which perfectly complements the style of the house. A sunny porch with handy storage and seating welcomes you. The spacious sitting room has a beamed ceiling and cosy, comfortable seating that is centred round the open fire. With windows on three sides and lovely views of the Abbey, the room is lovely and bright by day and warm and welcoming by night.
The traditional dining room is partially open to the well-equipped and fully up-to-date kitchen so the cook doesn’t have to miss out on all the fun. The large range cooker means that cooking for a group will be child’s play and having the useful utility room housing some of the appliances keeps the main space uncluttered. A family bathroom complete the downstairs accommodation.
Upstairs there are four bedrooms, two doubles and two twin rooms, that are all pleasantly presented in a cosy modern style. There is also a modern, tiled wet room style shower room.
Outside there is an enclosed garden to the rear with a bench where you can sit out and admire the beautiful Abbey.
The house was originally built in 1939 by the retiring lighthouse keeper of Erraid and takes its name from the nearby island, which is where David Balfour thought himself marooned in Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Kidnapped' and nearly starved, until two locals told him he could wade across to the mainland at low tide. Not one of his finer moments!
Please note: Vehicles cannot be taken over to Iona so cars should be parked up in the car park in Fionnphort on Mull prior to boarding the foot ferry.
Iona, that holy island just off the south-western tip of Mull, is surely one of the most captivating and memorable places in the whole of Scotland.
Reached in a couple of minutes by the little foot ferry (no booking necessary) from the village of Fionnphort, you can leave the car behind and escape to another world of peace and incomparable beauty, the memory of which will stay with you long after your holiday is over.
There are very few cars on Iona, making it just perfect for families and children. Buses run to Fionnphort across the Ross of Mull meeting the ferry from Oban at Craignure. What there are, are silver sand beaches lapped by a turquoise sea, quiet lanes and central to it all, the historic Abbey and its environs. Still an important place of retreat and pilgrimage, it was here that Columba first brought Christianity to Scotland in AD 564 and it has retained its unique atmosphere of spiritual tranquillity and blessing ever since.
The village, though small, nevertheless has a well-stocked shop, two eating places (not open all year), a taxi (handy if you arrive with lots of luggage) and cycle hire. One of the particular joys is having it all to yourself when the last evening ferry departs and the tourists have all gone home. Most of the day trippers tend to concentrate on the Abbey, though, while you can cycle or walk the island's length and breadth, enjoying its beaches and keeping an eye out for the local marine wildlife and examples of the green Iona marble, that is popular in Scottish jewellery.
There is also a chance to take in 18 holes at the Iona Golf Course which dates back to 1886 and is laid out on an area of rough grazing land with views to Jura and the USA (if you could see that far)! Golf the way it used to be with sheep and cattle as the course attendants!
Fionnphort, with more facilities, is just that short hop away and from there (or indeed from Iona itself) you can take boat trips to view the seabird colonies on the Treshnish Isles, or the grandeur of Staffa, with the magnificent Fingal's Cave. Or, getting back in your car, you can explore Mull itself. Chances are, though, that the magnetism of Iona and comfort of Erraid will keep you close as it has done so many in the past.
Local Events and Attractions
Please note: while we make every effort to be as accurate as possible, the actual position of the cottage indicated on the map above and the proximity of the amenities in the Local Info section cannot be guaranteed to be precise and should be used as a guide only.
Accommodation
Downstairs
Sitting room with open fire and TV/DVD
Dining room
Kitchen with electric range oven and hob, fridge, freezer, microwave and dishwasher, etc
Utility room with washing machine and second fridge and freezer
Bathroom with bath, WC and wash basin.
Upstairs
Double bedroom
Double bedroom
Twin bedroom
Twin bedroom
Wet room shower, WC and wash basin.
What's included
- Linen (Double Bed)
- Free
- Linen (Single Bed)
- Free
- Sets of towels (per person)
- Free
- WiFi
- Free
- Stair Gate
- Free
- Highchair
- Free
Available Extras
- Pet
- £20.00
- Travel Cot (excluding linen)
- £10.00
Services
Bed linen and towels are INCLUDED. The first £25 of electricity is INCLUDED with any additional usage payable by meter reading at the end of your stay. Heating is by oil-CH (first £25 INCLUDED) and open-fire. WiFi is INCLUDED. Up to two pets are welcome by arrangement. Sorry, no smoking. Please note: As vehicles cannot be taken over to the island, cars should be parked up in the car park in Fionnphort on Mull before boarding the foot ferry.
Weekly Prices
The weekly guide prices for this property are shown below. Use the availability & book sidebar on the right to select your holiday or calculate short break rates (where available).
From 10/10/2025 to 13/10/2025
From 17/10/2025 to 20/10/2025
From 04/04/2025 to 07/04/2025
From 30/12/2024 to 30/12/2024
Changeover Day: Fri
| Rental - Date Range | Sleeps 4 | Sleeps 8 |
| 20 Dec 2024 - 27 Dec 2024 | £2,195.00 | £2,195.00 |
| 28 Dec 2024 - 05 Jan 2025 | £2,195.00 | £2,195.00 |
| 06 Jan 2025 - 30 Jan 2025 | POA | £995.00 |
| 31 Jan 2025 - 03 Apr 2025 | POA | £1,195.00 |
| 04 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025 | POA | £1,795.00 |
| 25 Apr 2025 - 01 May 2025 | POA | £1,195.00 |
| 02 May 2025 - 22 May 2025 | POA | £1,795.00 |
| 23 May 2025 - 29 May 2025 | POA | £1,995.00 |
| 30 May 2025 - 26 Jun 2025 | POA | £1,795.00 |
| 27 Jun 2025 - 17 Jul 2025 | POA | £1,995.00 |
| 18 Jul 2025 - 28 Aug 2025 | POA | £2,195.00 |
| 29 Aug 2025 - 11 Sep 2025 | POA | £1,795.00 |
| 12 Sep 2025 - 02 Oct 2025 | POA | £1,195.00 |
| 03 Oct 2025 - 23 Oct 2025 | POA | £1,795.00 |
| 24 Oct 2025 - 18 Dec 2025 | POA | £995.00 |
| 19 Dec 2025 - 27 Dec 2025 | POA | £2,195.00 |
| 28 Dec 2025 - 05 Jan 2026 | POA | £2,195.00 |
| 06 Jan 2026 - 05 Jan 2027 | POA | POA |
| 06 Jan 2027 - 05 Jan 2028 | POA | POA |
| 06 Jan 2028 - 05 Jan 2029 | POA | POA |
Please note: Prices are calculated based on your party size at the time of booking. If your party size changes for any reason after booking, please let us know so we can ensure the accommodation provided meets your exact requirements.
Reviews
(Supplied Independently through Feefo)
Lovely cottage in a great location. Very warm feeling in the house which was well equipped and a really lovely place to ...
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Great stay - all were comfortable. Perfect lication.
We had a fantastic stay. Lovely, well equipped, comfortable house with beautiful views on the wonderful island of Iona. ...
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Superb location. Excellent well equiped house. Spacious. Plenty of room for family holiday.
Very comfortable and great location. Had everything you needed. Wet and rainy in October so made use of the provided fir...
Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Below are the most frequently asked questions about staying at Erraid House and visiting Iona. If your question has not already been asked you can contact our booking team.
Question: Can you take a car over to Iona?
Answer: Cars are only permitted on Iona for Blue Badge holders with restricted mobility. A special permit must be applied for in advance from the council.
Question: What are the check-in and check-out times?
Answer: Check-in is from 4:00 pm, and check-out is by 10:00 am. These times are not flexible. However, there is a waiting room at the jetty where luggage can be stored until the house is ready.
Question: Is there parking at Erraid House?
Answer: Yes, there is a parking space next to the property. Guests can use this if they obtain a permit to drive on the island, as outlined in the previous answer regarding cars on Iona.
Question: Is the garden enclosed?
Answer: The garden is fenced and relatively secure for dogs and children. There is a well in the garden, but it is covered with a lid secured by flowerpots, making it difficult for children to access.
Question: Is there any garden furniture?
Answer: Yes, there is a bench in the garden and another bench at the front of the house for seating.
Question: Are basic supplies such as toilet rolls and dishwasher tablets provided?
Answer: Yes, enough to last a few days, but guests will need to purchase more if required.
Question: Is the hob on the cooker an induction hob?
Answer: No, the cooker has an electric oven with a ceramic hob.
Question: How do I get to Iona?
Answer: Iona is accessible by ferry from Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull. To reach Mull, take a ferry from Oban to Craignure and then drive or use public transport to Fionnphort.
Question: Do I need to book the ferry to Iona in advance?
Answer: No, the Iona ferry operates on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be booked in advance.
Question: Are there shops or places to buy groceries on Iona?
Answer: Yes, there is a small grocery shop on the island with basic supplies, but it’s recommended to bring essentials with you.
Qestion: Are there restaurants or cafés on Iona?
Answer: Yes, there are a few cafés, restaurants, and a hotel that serve food and drinks, including local specialties.
Question: What are the must-see attractions on Iona?
Answer: Key attractions include the historic Iona Abbey, St. Oran’s Chapel, the Nunnery ruins, and the stunning beaches, such as the Bay at the Back of the Ocean.
Qestion: Are there walking trails on Iona?
Answer: Yes, Iona has several walking trails, including routes to the north and south of the island, offering spectacular views and peaceful landscapes.
Qestion: Is Iona suitable for children?
Answer: Yes, Iona is family-friendly with safe beaches, gentle walks, and historical landmarks that children often enjoy exploring.
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