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Oban, Western Highlands, Lochs, Castles & Glencoe Tour from Glasgow

Cultural Tour
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This tour is provided by

Discover Scotland

Discover Scotland Tours are committed to delivering unrivalled Highland Tour experiences. We passionately believe in providing the highest quality, best value and exceptional service every time. Whether you are travelling independently, with family or friends, Discover Scotland Tours is the only way to see Scotland.

  • 10 Hours
  • Small Group TourPrivate Tour Options available
  • Scotland

On our one day tour to Oban from Glasgow you’ll experience a little of everything that Scotland’s spectacular natural beauty has to offer.

This is the rugged Western Highlands where majestic mountains tumble down to glorious lochs. Castles and glens hide tragic tales of centuries ago, and bustling ports serve up tasty food and award-winning attractions.

Your friendly driver-guide will bring Scottish legends to life as we share our country, from the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond to haunting Glencoe.

Departure Information

  • Departure LocationBuchanan Bus Station, Killermont St, Glasgow, G2 3NW
  • Check in 08.45
  • Departs 09.00
  • Returns19.00

Hotel Departures

Discover Scotland Tours are the only company to offer free pick ups from hotels, hostels & B&B’s in and around Glasgow and Glasgow Airport on our 1 day tours.

Return Drop Off Point

All of our 1 day tours return to George Square and not your hotel.

Highlights

  • Arrochar Alps
  • Rest and be Thankful
  • Inveraray Castle (summer only)
  • Kilchurn Castle
  • Loch Awe
  • Oban
  • Rannoch Moor and The Drovers Inn
  • Glencoe
  • Castle Stalker

Price Includes

  • Transportation by air-conditioned 16 seat mini-coach
  • An English speaking driver-guide

Price Excludes

  • Lunch and refreshments
  • Entry fees to visitor attraction

Please Note

  • ImportantPlease note if you are late in arriving at your departure point and as a consequence miss your tour you will not be entitled to a refund
  • ChildrenWe regret that we do not carry children under the age of 5 on our scheduled tours

Optional Experiences

All payable on the day

Optional Extras

Inveraray Castle (Open 1st April – 31st October 2020)
Summer 2020 Update: Please note following the COVID-19 outbreak the castle has opted to reopen on Thursday – Monday only. The tour will not have the option to visit the castle Tues or Wed. 
Adults £12.50
Seniors £11.00
Students £11.00 (with valid ID)
Children £8.00

Inveraray Jail
Adults £11.50
Seniors £10.45
Students £8.95 (with valid ID)
Children £6.95

Dunstaffnage Castle (Winter Option, Closed Thur & Fri)
Adults £6.00
Seniors £4.80
Students £6.00
Children £3.30

 

The Tour

Leaving Glasgow your small group tour passes dramatic Dumbarton Rock and its castle perched atop that stands guard over the River Clyde. From one famous body of water to another, Loch Lomond, as we meander its western shores from the comfort of our luxury mini coach. If you look to the right you’ll see Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly Munro (a mountain above 3000 feet) and your first of the tour.

We curve west, skirting the northern tip of Loch Long and then tackle the steep drive up the mountain pass known as the ‘Arrochar Alps’. We pause for photos at the ‘Rest and Be Thankful’, an iconic Scottish viewpoint so named thanks to the words carved in stone by weary soldiers who built the original military road in 1753.

From our rest point it’s a short hop to Inveraray, one of Scotland’s most photographed towns. Established in 1745 by the 3rd Duke of Argyll, chief of the powerful Clan Campbell. Inveraray is a classic example of an 18th century planned town with its distinctive white-washed Georgian architecture.

Here we can explore Inveraray Castle where the Duke of Argyll and his family live today. Breath in the clear Highland air on a stroll around the parkland, woodland and gardens, which are resplendent with rainbows of the azaleas and rhododendrons that flourish in Argyll in summertime.

Alternatively, we’ll despatch you to one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions, the 19th century Inveraray Jail, a living museum where you can experience what it was like to be incarcerated behind its bars.

(Summer 2020: Please Note Inveraray Castle has reopened but will only be open for visitors Thursday – Monday at the moment. Passengers will not have the option to visit the castle Tues or Wed at this time.).

Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you escape from jail to continue your Discover Scotland tour of Scotland’s lochs, glens and castles. Leaving Loch Fyne behind us, we adventure on to imposing Kilchurn Castle, standing proud at the head of Loch Awe, where we stop for photographs before heading to Oban for lunch.

Originally a small fishing village, Oban is now the ‘Gateway to the Isles’ and renowned as the ‘seafood capital’ of Scotland. Today the port is the main ferry departure point for the Isle of Mull and the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Seafood lovers travel from miles around to savour its fresh, daily catches in the town’s restaurants and you can savour this too, or opt for classic Scots dishes or more international flavours.

Walking around the compact town centre of Oban – Gaelic for ‘little bay’ – you can’t miss the Colosseum-like structure overshadowing the streets. McCaig’s Tower is a stone-built folly that was never completed and is well worth a visit, to enjoy the panoramic sea views over to the misty island of Mull and beyond.

After our visit to Oban our tour of the rugged west coast continues past Loch Creran to Castle Stalker, one of Scotland’s most photographed strongholds which perches on its own tidal islet in Loch Laich. Your driver-guide will point you to the viewpoint to capture photos and then we journey on to haunting Glencoe, also known as the ‘Weeping Glen’.

After the peaceful beauty of Argyll’s stretching sea lochs, Glencoe’s dark mountains will tumble in on you as you’re delivered into a glen of awesome natural beauty. It’s easy to reimagine one of Scotland’s most shameful times, the 1692 Glencoe massacre, when Campbell-led Government soldiers slaughtered the clan MacDonald by night.

As the mountains bid us farewell, moody Rannoch Moor beckons us, with its heathery plateau and innumerable lochans. We stop at the Drovers Inn, a traditional Scottish pub that’s welcomed weary travellers, including infamous outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor, for over 300 years. Step back in time to enjoy early evening Highland hospitality by the log fire, and hear tales of the inn’s ghosts and ghouls before we return to Glasgow.

FAQs

Do we visit Oban distillery whilst on the Tour

 
 

No we do not have a scheduled visit to Oban distillery on this tour. Our stop in Oban is our lunch stop, however if you have time the distillery shop may be open for a browse.

 

Can we buy our tickets for Inveraray Castle or Jail in advanced

Yes, you can buy tickets for both attractions on their websites however pre-booking is not essential. Tickets can be purchased on the day direct from each attraction.

www.inveraray-castle.com

www.inverarayjail.co.uk

 

How long does the tour spend at Kilchurn Castle and or/ Castle Stalker

Both of these castles are viewed during photo stops on the tour. The coach stops at a viewpoint overlooking each castle where passengers have a short time to take photographs. Due to the accessibility of both castles we do not walk close to either castle or enter inside. 

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