Oban or Inverness?

Posted by colemajash on 02/08/26 03:24 PM

We are planning an 11- or 12-day trip to Scotland this May and initially were thinking we would spend about 5 days in Edinburgh followed by a few days in Inverness and then a few days in Glasgow. (The flights from Inverness to DC weren't good timing, otherwise we would have ended the trip in Inverness). After reading a little bit on this forum though, particularly seeing a one-day tour of islands from Oban where we could see puffins, we are rethinking whether Oban would be a better choice for us than Inverness.
In general, we like city things (e.g., museums, art galleries, cafes, bookstores), walks in nature (but not strenuous 5-hour hikes), ruins, and beautiful scenery. A castle or 2 is great, but we aren't interested in seeing 5.

We don't want to drive in Scotland, so we are limited to public transportation.

Thanks for any advice anyone can provide!

Posted by Linda

Seattle, WA, USA

02/08/26 04:30 PM

1579 posts

Ahh, seeing puffins is always fun and I get the draw since I’m a birder. Might I suggest you may be able to experience all three places of interest. It would be better is you had a couple of extra nights, but it could work. Take one night from Edinburgh, train to Inverness for some castles and history, Culloden Moor, Rabbies guided tour out of Glasgow to Oban and the islands, then fly home from Glasgow.

Edinburgh-3 or 4 nights

Inverness-2 or 3 nights

Oban/Islands-3 nights ( guided tour)

Glasgow-2 nights

https://www.rabbies.com/en-gb/tours/scotland?sortBy=schedules_days_asc&departure=Glasgow

Posted by jeanm

Chicagoland

02/08/26 05:44 PM

1980 posts

Sticking with public transportation:

Edinburgh 4nts
4 hr train to Oban with 1 change in Glasgow
Oban 3nts
bus to Invarary 1¼ hr or Luss 2+ hr
Invarary (Castle town) or Luss (Loch Lomond) for 1 night
bus to Glasgow 1¾ hr from Inveraray or 1 hr from Luss
Glasgow 3nts

Wonderful scenery between Glasgow and Oban by rail and bus.

Posted by cassienevins

02/10/26 03:22 AM

52 posts

We spent two nights in Oban and it was so beautiful. The bay/harbor was so peaceful, with all the boats coming and going. We had excellent food at Poppies (breakfast, just outside of town), ee'usk (the best mussels, every, anywhere), and Coast Restaurant. We loved staying at Barriemore B&B. The trip to Iona was a highlight of the trip, absolutely gorgeous, peaceful and beautiful. We spent one night in Inverness and found Culloden and Clava cairns evocative. If we had to choose one, it would definitely be Oban.

Posted by colemajash OP

02/15/26 04:04 AM

2 posts

Thank you to everyone for your replies! We're still debating what to do, but the responses have been very helpful.

Posted by scotlandmac

Glasgow

02/15/26 09:27 AM

159 posts

Oban will certainly place you in beautiful west coast scenery, rather than Inverness, though it is a town rather than a city.
The day trip out through Mull - more gorgeous scenery - to do the Staffa trip is one of the most popular in the country and yes puffins are really quite amazing.You will see even more of them on the Treshnish Isles tour but Staffa does allow a short walk out to see them at the cliffs.

You can see puffins elsewhere too - on the Isle of May for example, which is reached by boat trip from the Fife coast .
https://www.isleofmayboattrips.co.uk/

You can also see them south of Edinburgh with a boat trip from North Berwick (accessible by train/bus.)

https://www.sulaboattrips.co.uk/bass-rock-boat-trips

However, the trip to Staffa via Mull is, by a long shot, in the most outstanding scenery of all.

Plenty of walks around Oban including the short ferry over to Kerrera and a walk on that quiet little island in nice scenery. MacCaig’s Tower offers fantastic views of the bay. Iona - you will potentially have two hours there if you choose the full trip including Staffa - offers a gorgeous place to wander; out to the glorious North End beaches would be my priority.

If you end up in Inverness, 40 mins or so south around Aviemore via train will give you the finest scenery for walks (loads of easy trails) in Cairngorm NP.