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Oban, Glencoe, Western Highlands, Lochs & Castles

Duration

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10.5 Hours

Inveraray Castle

Location

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Oban

Tour Type

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Private 

Oban Whisky Distillery

Group Size

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Up To 7

Kilchurn castle

Language

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English 

Description

 

 

Oban is often regarded as the “Gateway to the Hebrides” and not only that it has some of the finest seafood in Scotland plus the added bonus of the famous Oban whisky distillery. This tour has it all. Impressive castles, famous lochs, mountain scenery and some very beautiful architecture with one of our favourite buildings in Scotland St Conan’s Kirk. Learn about Clan rivalries from your guide and visit the family seat of the Clan Campbell Inverary Castle.

Itinerary Highlights

Total Duration: 10.5 Hours Approx

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The Rest & Be Thankful Pass, Inverary Town & Castle, Loch Awe & Kilchurn Castle Ruin, St Conan’s Kirk, Oban, Castle Stalker, Glencoe, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Nation Park

Route Map

Tour Information

Tour Information

​Departure & return

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Tour will start at chosen pick up location (Please inform us when booking, we can pick up anywhere in Glasgow or surrounding area) 

*This can be changed to anywhere outside this location if you get in touch to find out if available (surcharge may apply)

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Check In 0800

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Departs 0815

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End Time (1830) Approx

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**These can be changed by request although this is the recommended start time

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What to bring

 

​It is recommended to pack suitable footwear for hiking, waterproof clothing, umbrella, suncream and midge spray (insect repellent). We can get all 4 seasons in one day in Scotland!

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Child seat regulations

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Due to insurance policies we regret we do not carry children under the age of 2.  Children must normally use a child car seat until they're 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first.

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What's included

  • Private use of our luxurious 7 seat Mercedes V Class minivan or similar

  • Dual Air Conditioned Vehicle

  • Experienced Driver/Guide

  • Dram of fine Scottish Single Malt Whisky 

  • Bottled Scottish Water 

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What's not included 

  • Accommodation 

  • Entry to Visitor Attractions 

  • Meals 

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Cancellation policy

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If you cancel your reservation 14 days before departure date a full refund will be given minus the 20% non-refundable deposit.

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Full T&C's can be found here

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Know before you go

  • Inveraray Castle closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays

  • Some attractions may be closed in Winter season please check before booking

Tour Itinerary

Tour Itinerary 

​We can pick your group up in Glasgow or the surrounding area at your chosen destination and drop you off where you prefer. Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station can be a popular meeting point in the city centre.   We will leave Glasgow and head towards Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park passing over the river Clyde via the Erskine Bridge. Going through the town of Dumbarton your guide will point out Dumbarton Castle which sits on Dumbarton Rock. William Wallace was held here after being betrayed by his friend John Menteith. As we get to Loch Lomond you will also learn about Scotland’s famous Munro Mountains and your guide will point out Ben Lomond the furthest south of the Munro's.    As we pass along Loch Long and up through Glencroe we will make our first stop of the day at the Rest and Be Thankful. A place given its name by the soldiers who built the original military road in 1753. This offers wonderful views back down the Glen.   A short 30 minute drive from the Rest and Be Thankful will take us into the town of Inveraray, we will now stop at the impressive Inveraray Castle the Clan seat of the Campbells. One of Scotland's most famous Clans your guide will tell you about the Castle and how the Campbells rose from being a relatively small Clan in the 13th century to becoming the most powerful Clan Scotland has seen. The Castle is the residence of the Duke of Argyll a title given to the Chiefs of Clan Campbell by William of Orange in 1701. The Castle's foundation stone was laid in 1745 replacing a previous 15th-century Castle.    Take time to explore inside the Castle & its beautiful gardens or wonder round the town taking in its quaint little streets and beautiful vistas from the waterfront.    Please note Inveraray Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, therefore we are unable to visit the interior of the castle. We will still visit Inveraray town and you will be able to get exterior pictures of the castle or if you prefer you could visit Old Inveraray Jail. ​ Another 30-minute drive we will come onto the longest freshwater loch in Scotland called Loch Awe where we will find the original Campbell seat of power, Kilchurn Castle. Built in 1450 it was severely damaged by lightning in 1760 and abandoned in favour of the new Castle in Inveraray. This will be a 10-minute stop at the viewpoint along the A819 road. We may see some of the famous Heilan Coo's (Highland Cows) around this area.   St Conans Kirk is just a short 5-minute drive and this impressive church has been voted in the top 10 buildings in Scotland over the last 100 years by Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland in 2016. Built between 1881 and substantially extended in 1914 it is one of our favourite stops.   Built by Walter Douglas Campbell for his mother Agnes it is one not to be missed on the tour. (Admission is by optional donation.)   Leaving St Conan's Kirk we will drive for 30 minutes passing through the pass of Brander and on to Loch Etive. If the tide is on our side we will see the impressive Falls of Lora a phenomenon of a sea waterfall inside the entrance toLoch Etive.    Arriving in Oban you will have the time to explore the town. the time is your own here and you may want to visit the Oban whisky distillery for a dram, visit the famous green shack for some of the best seafood you will ever find or if feeling energetic you can hike up to Mccaigs Tower. (Or just ask to be driven to the top instead!)   Leaving Oban we will now drive towards the Glencoe area but first making another stop for another Castle photo opportunity. This time its Castle Stalker which sits perfectly on an island in Loch Laich. This was used in the Monty Python Holy Grail TV series and in the movie Highlander End Game.   Coming through Glencoe we will make various stops to admire the Three Sisters of Glencoe, Buchaille Etive Mor the most photographed mountain in Scotland and many more stops time depending. We may even see some wildlife if there are any Red Stags in the area.   Before the tour ends we will make a final stop on Loch Lomond an hour and 15 minute drive away. You may wish to see the beautiful conservation village of Luss situated on the banks of Loch Lomond. You will have some time to take in the small village and wander down to the Loch and take in some of the best views found in the area. Your guide will tell you about Luss Parish Church built on the grounds of the ancient cemetery that dates back to the 7th century and even has a Viking Hogback grave stone estimated to be from the 11th century. The village was also the setting for a local TV series called Take the High Road. The Grade B listed cottages which give the village its character were left over from the workers of local slate quarries.   Arriving back into Glasgow (or your chosen drop off location) we will be arriving approx 1900 just in time to go for a nice dinner in the city or maybe back to your accommodation to rest. ​

Attractions 

Attractions

Below we have added links to attractions that can be done on this tour.

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FAQ

Oban Tour FAQ's

FAQ

Our FAQ's can be found here but FAQ's specific to this tour are below:

Do we get time to visit Oban Whisky Distillery? The time allocated in Oban is mainly for lunch and to explore the town but if you wanted to tour the distillery you would need to book in advance and inform us of the tour time. Available time to book 1300 – 1500. (any distillery bookings may impact other stops on tour)

Should we book Inverarary Castle or Inverarary Old Jail in Advance? We advise to book these in advance to reduce wait times at the gate but this isn’t necessary as both can be booked on the gate.

How long is spent at Kilchurn Castle & Stalker Castle? These stops are photo stops from viewpoints, longer can be spent at locations but will impact other stops

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