cheap ferry to mull?

[shelsco]

Hi. Need some advice about cheapest way to get over to Mull from mainland Scotland. We're going to fort William in a couple of weeks and planned to take kids to 'Balamory' on Mull. The thing is there's me, DH and 4 DCs. All the ferry info i can find online says that you pay for the car and each passenger as well so the prices are coming up at about £65 plus just for the ferry over.
Our budget is pretty tight and this seems really steep for a day trip. I've looked at going from Oban and a couple of other places but even though one is only a 15 minutes crossing it's still coming out at about £65. Any tips on where to look/travel from etc would be very much appreciated!!

Thanks for all info. The more i look, the more there is! If it's as good as it sounds, we'll just have to go back next year and do the bits we missed.
Now all I've got to do is pack... LOL. Hmm, sunhats? Raincoats? Swimsuits? Fleeces?!

And if the kids are restless and you have time to spare in Lochaline, there is a good children's playfield (swings etc) adjacent to the school.

Missed this thread before - we holiday in Mull every year. I would say Fishnish to Calgary is at least an hour's drive. It is beautiful but like all the islands potentially v windy so kids need shorts and jumpers! From memory - Josie Jumps house is still yellow but Spencer's a bad shame o cream (the orange shows through) and Miss Hoolie has gine blue I think. Pc Plums place is still white. If it rains and you're desperate the pool at the isle of mull hotel is small but nice with a great view over the bay and a warm baby pool. Family swim about a tenner I think.

What? They can't paint the Balamory houses another colour! DS3 will not be impressed- will think I've taken him to the wrong place!
If you go every year Northern it must be great. Can't wait.Thanks for all the tips everyone.