Hello,
I am planning my first trip to Scotland and having some trouble figuring out the best way to get from Inverness to Oban on September 17 of this year. We initially were going to rent a car but that isn't going to work as there isn't a company that has a location in both towns. Im at my wits end. Any advice would be so appreciated.
Many thanks.. .Pam
Posted by
Chicagoland
1590 posts
Schedules for September aren't available yet. However the shortest route would be by bus from Inverness with a transfer in Ft. William. That would be about a 5 hour trip.
If you would like to provide your itinerary, we may be able to help you organize your route better.
Posted by
Lake District, England
11064 posts
There is an hourly Scottish Citylink bus from Inverness to Fort William- #919- in the winter (so the current timetable you will see on their website) it is two hourly, but in the summer it is hourly- https://www.citylink.co.uk/
There are then 4 buses a day from Fort William to Oban Monday to Saturday (again we are currently on the winter schedule, so only 2 departures a day)- West Coast Motors #918- https://www.westcoastmotors.co.uk/services/WCMO/918
I know you can't see the 918 timetable on the Citylink website, but if you try to book it on Citylink as a through journey you can. It's a shared local and Citylink journey.
It is also very odd the way it shows on the Citylink booking system- the two bus stands at Fort William are right next to each other.
If we are saying the "best" way, it will take you longer but subjectively you could take the train from Fort William to Oban (changing at Crianlarich). It is spectacular scenery, very different to that on the direct bus route. Better is in the eye of the individual.
You don't and can't book Citylink many months in advance- it just isn't how people travel. A few weeks beforehand or even on the day in September is quite adequate.
Even the 919 also doubles as a local bus, and is intended as much for on the spot local journeys as for end to end journeys.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you so much. I know it's early to book but we're in the planning stages and I just want to make sure everything is doable. We will be catching the ferry in Oban and traveling to the Isle of Mull that day and it looks like it's going to be a long one. We'll be spending 4 nights there and then off to Glasgow. Our adventure starts in Edinburgh. Again thanks ever so for the info. You have both been so helpful.
Posted by
Lake District, England
11064 posts
If you are staying at Tobermory on Mull you don't have to route via Oban.
There is a short cut alternative on Shiel Buses from Fort William to Kilchoan, to catch the little ferry across from Kilchoan to Tobermory- https://www.shielbuses.co.uk/route-506-new
That bus drives onto the very short crossing on the Corran ferry on it's way to Kilchoan.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
You are a love. Thanks so much. This will make our day.