Scotland in August: Aviemore area, or Oban area for Highland Games?

Posted by uncpauper (New Jersey) on 03/20/25 01:44 PM

Hello! Thank you to those who answered my previous question about where to visit! Based on that feedback, I’m between two options.

Quick recap: We have 3 nights to spend between London and Edinburgh, and would like to see the Highlands. My kids are 15 and 11, and we’re hoping to not rent a car. We’ll be taking the sleeper train from London.

One option is Aviemore, which seems to have a lot to do nearby. We like hiking and outdoor adventures.

But the Highland Games will be in Oban, which could also be fun and memorable. Can anyone share opinions on whether this would be a worthwhile enough experience to consider basing there instead? I’m only concerned there might not be enough else to do in the area that the kids would enjoy, especially without a car.

Any other suggestions are welcome too! Thank you!!

Posted by richard

Yorkshire

03/20/25 02:56 PM

1382 posts

Aviemore would be my pick plenty to do .

That said Fort William might be an option,the train ride up from Glasgow is very scenic.
Local buses in Fort William run up Glen Nevis and across the wider area

Posted by PatK

Barcelona

03/20/25 03:05 PM

10 posts

I'd actually say Oban is a great option from the perspective of variety - it's only a short ferry ride over to Mull, which has some remarkable landscapes that feel very "highlands" to me (perhaps less majestic than Glencoe or Skye, but some real rugged beauty). Rick's guide has a recommended organized-tour company that takes you through Mull to Iona and back in a day; I've not done that (having instead spent a week in a cottage on Mull instead, with a car) but it'd be one less-DIY option as a break from the Highland Games, with some seafaring nature cruises as alternatives. Oban's also a charming town for a base, and a nice change of pace from Edinburgh or London.

I've not visited Aviemore, but it's certainly well-positioned (the proximity to Inverness via train gives you some good flexibility for activities or even springboard tours). I've spent time further south on that same line, in Dunkeld/Birnam, which is extremely mellow and has a nice variety of easy walking trails through terrain that's more pastoral and mild than what you'll see further north and west. (If you do spend time in Dunkeld, the Birnam Arts Centre and Whisky Box Dunkeld are worth an investigation!)

Posted by uncpauper OP

New Jersey

03/20/25 03:51 PM

95 posts

PatK, the proximity to Isles was very intriguing! I do think we’d all enjoy that.

Without a car, I was tentatively thinking that we would arrive in Fort William via sleeper car around 10am, stash luggage and then catch a bus to Ben Nevis. Mountain gondola to the top and hike around a bit, and then take a late afternoon bus to Oban.

Then we’d have one day in Oban for local exploration/Isle of Mull, etc and one day for the games.

Posted by isn31c

Lake District, England

03/20/25 04:04 PM

9007 posts

One thing I forgot about Aviemore is that the Cairrngorm Mountain Railway is now back open with an hourly #30 double deck bus from Aviemore to connect.

Bus N42 from Fort William to Glen Nevis is back for the summer at 0930, 1030, 1230, 1430 and 1630.

There are now cruises on Loch Linnhe from Fort William to see seals and other wildlife.