Blazing Saddles Cycle Hire for our Guests

( Give the car a day off--it deserves it )

'Blazing Saddles Cycle Hire' is an additional service we offer guests staying with us at Seaview, along with other guests staying in and around the area - sorry but we don't hire out to the general public. As we are situated in the centre of Fionnphort village, on the western tip of the Ross of Mull on the Isle of Mull, just a minute's cycle to the Iona ferry, we are ideally located for exploring the surrounding area and further a field by cycle.

Cyclists Welcome
@ Seaview

Fionnphort is the gateway port to the scenically beautiful and historically important Isle of Iona and the famous Abbey of St. Columba, burial place of Scottish Kings and one of Scotland's foremost holy places. Hire a cycle from us, cycle on to the ferry (4 minute crossing) and explore Iona in a day.

Cycling on Iona is relatively easy and safe as the roads are fairly flat. There are very few vehicles on Iona as permits are required and usually only residents are issued with permits.

The Ross of Mull's quiet side roads are also ideal for some extraordinary cycling adventures to some of the most breathtakingly and spectacular stretches of powder white sandy beaches - too far to walk to and too out-of-the way to reach by car. Cycling is by far one of the best ways to explore this beautiful island - not just for the beaches, the walks but also for spotting the wildlife.

After a day out cycling, what could be better than returning to Seaview, relaxing over a pint or two in The Keel Row pub next door and watch the sun set over Iona. Aah magic!

Click on the images
to enlarge

Road along
Gribun cliffs &
Loch Na Keal

LOCAL CYCLE ROUTES FOR YOU TO TRY:

ROUTE 1: SEAVIEW TO KINTRA (FIONNPHORT)

Distance: Return trip approximately 6 miles
Difficulty: Fairly flat. Watch out for the buses and cars on the main road between Fionnphort and the turning for Kintra
Type of Ride: Public road - tarmac surface
Environment: Open farmland and moor land with fine views to the sea and coast.
Start Point: Seaview
Finish Point: Seaview

Links Pages: Fionnphort & Kintra; Walks
Maps: OS Explorer 373 1:25000

A crofting area of the Ross of Mull with spectacular seascapes and unusual red Ross of Mull granite outcrops with views to the Isle of Iona and Treshnish Isles.

From Seaview - cycle east along the main road back towards Bunessan, leaving the village you pass on your right a little church overlooking Loch Pottie which is a favourite spot for waders and ducks. In spring the corncrake can be heard in surrounding fields.

A couple of hundred metres past the church turn left, turn left at the Kintra signpost. The road leads across open grazing and moor land and just after Bogilee Farm, a descending bend opens up wonderful views of Iona to the west, the Treshnish Isles to the north west, with Coll in the distance, and Staffa to the north. The tar road turns sharp right at an unusual looking house to a descending left hand bend which descends further to a pretty, quiet former fishing village of Kintra. An ideal place to leave the bikes and wander or hike past the village to the north. Return the way you came.

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ROUTE 2: SEAVIEW TO KNOCKVOLOGAN AND POTTIE

Distance: Return trip 8 miles
Difficulty: Fairly flat with occasional small sharp hill. Fairly quiet except for last section on the main road to Fionnphort.
Type of Road: Public road tarmac, private track, public road at end. Stout walking shoes/boots recommended.
Environment: Open moor, machair (short coarse coastal grass), farmland, coastal scenery, white powder beach, woodland, island.
Start Point: Seaview
Finish Point: Seaview

Links Pages: Walks; Beaches; Erraid; Wildlife
Maps: OS Explorer 373 1: 25000

From Seaview - cycle past The Keel Row pub on the main road and turn immediately right onto the Knockvologan road which is signposted on the main road. Passing new houses and the Columba Centre on the left, (stop and have a look at this unique exhibition on the life of St. Columba); follow on up the wee hill and then coast down to Fidden Farm, campsite & sands. This is open moor and machair, and the ducks, wading birds and geese are numerous. It is worth leaving the bikes at the roadside and walking the Fidden sands below the campsite, returning along the track to Fidden Farm and the bikes. Cycling through the farm you turn you turn sharp left - looking to your right past the Fidden farmhouse you will see the tidal island of Erraid and it's lighthouse keepers cottages. See Erraid for further information.

A straight section going inland and eastwards eventually bears right past the cream & red bungalow on your left. Just past this bungalow is a 5 bar metal gate on your left - this is where on your return journey, you take the track round to Pottie. A few bends, twists and short sharp climbs past a couple or so of houses (watch out for the black & white sheep dogs on the right usually at the front of the white house on the sharp bend going down hill), you will come to a hill with a steep gradient (we have still to cycle up this hill without getting off and walking up!). At the top of this hill, continue cycling until you arrive at the 5 bar metal gate for Knockvologan Farm. At this point, on the left between the two big barns on your left is the start for the Tireragan Nature Trail. (Do not take the cycles down this trail if you are intending to walk it - leave them locked at the gate).

Continue through the 5 bar gate to Knockvologan Farm (please leave the gate as you find it), pass the barn on the right and continue up the gentle rise to the farmhouse on the left at the end of the road. Do not take the cycles any further but leave them locked up against the wall on the left and continue on foot down the track in front of you for approximately 300 metres to Knockvologan sands where you can sunbath out of the wind and almost have the beach to yourself.

If you bear right along the track and continue round you will be able to visit the tidal island of Erraid, if the tides are suitable. Please ask John or Jane about this before doing so.

On returning to your cycles, retrace the route either back to Fionnphort or if you wish to continue with your adventure via Pottie, turn right at the 5 bar metal gate just before the cream/red bungalow mentioned previously. This is a rough track through to Pottie. Along this track you will pass ruined cottages on your left and right and eventually will come to a small wooded area and a small hill. Follow the track all the way until you reach a further gate (leave as found); follow the track round to the left until you come to Pottie Farmhouse and then a bungalow. The track will become a surfaced road again at this point. Follow the road around and down, through 2 further road gates until you finally descend on to the main road to Fionnphort at the junction with MacDougall's garage on your right. Turn left at this junction and cycle along the main road past Loch Pottie and the small church on your left back into Fionnphort and Seaview.

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ROUTE 3: SEAVIEW TO IONA

Seaview is 2 minutes from the ferry to Iona. On the walking pages Iona is split into 2 routes, the north walk and the south & west walk. We suggest that the cycle routes follow the same routes as the walks. Obviously cycling will cut down the time it takes to complete these routes and is handy for the cyclist who has limited time on Iona. The route will be outlined below - for details of descriptions and what to see and do whilst on Iona, please go the Iona walks section.

Distance: 4-5 miles
Difficulty: Fairly flat, little traffic
Type of Road: Single track public road, some single track
Environment: Open farmland with spectacular coastal views, and historic sites, a feeling of peace.
Start Point: Seaview
Finish Point: Seaview

Links Pages: Walks, Iona
Map: OS Explorer 373 1:25000

The 2 routes are the North route and the South & West Route. Those of you who have limited time on Iona will easily see enough of Iona in a day if they use our cycles.

Time your cycle hire for a suitable ferry time from Fionnphort, allowing enough time to see Iona and return no later than the last ferry. Tickets for the ferry can be purchased either at the Calmac office at the pier head or on the ferry itself. The return journey is inexpensive.

From Seaview - turn left and descend on the main road towards the pier 300 yards away. Grand seascapes of Iona and its historic Abbey are in front of you. Buy your ticket and go on to the pier and walk your cycle on the MV Loch Buie ferry for the 4-5 minute ferry journey to Iona. Have your camera ready for the wonderful 'seaviews' and the picturesque village of Iona.

The North Route - from the ferry pier head west up the hill past Iona Cottage B&B, past the Spar shop. Dismount your cycle and go through the gate on right and enjoy the peaceful gardens of the ruined Nunnery and its gardens. At the other end of the path there is a gate - cycle north past the Iona Heritage Centre and the Parish Church; at MacLeans Cross on your left the road bends up a wee hill and right along past the Columba Hotel on the right and a craft centre on the left.

Through the glen
in winter

“Blazing Saddles” Cycle Hire

Located at:
Seaview Bed & Breakfast, in the village of
Fionnphort on the
Isle of Mull
Isle of Mull PA66 6BL

Tel: 01681 700235 or
Email: john@seaview-mull.co.uk

Useful links for cyclists: www.scotcycle.co.uk