My husband and I will be in Glasgow and would like to do a day trip to see the highlands and Oban. Trying to decide if we should take the train or take a tour - any recommendations?
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8876 posts
You won't have a great deal of time to tour if you take the train. Oban should really be more than a day trip. The train does have interesting scenery, but once at Oban, it would be a shame not to ferry out to some islands.
Posted by
3123 posts
Instead of going all the way to Oban, have you thought of going by bus to Inveraray and back? It's only about 2 to 2.5 hours each way, so you'd have most of the day to see the town. The castle is beautiful inside and out (gardens, adorable flock of black sheep. walking trails up the mountainside), the town itself is very attractive, there's the historic jail and a couple of churches, and good shopping for Scotland-made woolens. Brambles is a good place to have lunch.
Another destination that's not as far as Oban -- reachable by train -- is the Lochawe station, right by the visitor centre to Ben Cruachan "hollow mountain" hydroelectric power plant. You can take a tour under the mountain, and you are right in the western highlands. I know it sounds kind of weird, but it's actually fascinating. https://www.visitcruachan.co.uk/
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
932 posts
I would agree with epltd, Oban is too far for a day trip. On my drive from Oban to Glasgow I actually stayed a night in Inveraray and would agree that it is a great little spot to spend a day. I quite enjoyed visiting the jail (which is a living museum with live actors playing the part of prisoners), the harbour etc. It's small and walkable and quaint. From Glasgow you could easily do a day trip to Stirling and Loch Lomond, also.