Traveling from Edinburgh to Oban

I guess it depends on how long you want to linger at each stop. We loved Stirling Castle and spent 5 hours there. Have you worked backwards to determine how long you'll want to stay at each? Also, add 30% to the time you're given in Google Maps.

From EDI to the Kelpies takes about 40 minutes and is an easy drive.

There are a couple parking lots by the Kelpies. If you need to park in the furthest one, it will take about 15 minutes to walk to the sculptures. You’ll probably spend 30 minutes walking around them, then you need to walk back to the car. The drive to Stirling castle will take about 30 minutes.

Stirling castle can be a wild card. If you take the free tour, it starts on the hour and lasts an hour, then you’ll need time to explore on your own. I’d figure no less than 2 hours is needed for the castle. Parking is right in front of the castle.

Doune castle is 8 miles from Stirling. Its parking is very near the entrance. Although the castle is relatively small compared to Stirling or Edinburgh castles, one still needs an hour or so to leisurely see it.

Doune Castle to Oban will take a couple hours according to Google maps. Traffic, weather, construction, accidents, etc., can dramatically change that. On our 2022 trip a bridge was under construction along our planned route and the detour added an hour to our trip.

I haven’t been to the Wallace monument in years and don’t recall how long it took to visit it.

Excluding the Wallace monument you have a minimum of 7 hours driving and site seeing and that doesn’t include comfort or food stops, wrong turns, getting to the parking areas and parking, etc. Maybe it comes down to the time you actually drive away from the rental car facility and the time you want to eat dinner.

Do directions on Google map that shows terrain from Edinburgh to Stirling to Oban. Is there some reason you are rushing to Oban? You are going by Lithlingow and Falkirk. Are you taking the Ferries? If you plan to take the car on the Ferry you will need a reservation. You can do walk-on and take an island bus that connects to a ferry to the other islands. The Google map will show you highlights on the way. If you are driving back to Edinburgh you can go via Inveraray and Loch Lomand and Glasgow. I stayed next to the Wallace Monument in Stirling. I looked up at it but decided not to climb it. We stayed near Iveraray Castle. Bon Voyage!

We left Edinburgh at 9:30 on a Sunday morning, went to the Kelpie's, Stirling Castle, stopped to see hairy koos, got tesco sandwiches for lunch, stopped at a lovely church and were in Oban in plenty of time for dinner. We did have a driver, so that saved at least an hour because she was familiar with the roads and parking. We spent about 2-2 1/2 hours at Stirling castle and that was plenty for us.

I posted this a while back and now have more information. We will pick up our rental car in Edinburgh (Sight Hill). The earliest pick up time is 9 am. Our check in at the Witchwood House in Oban is available until 7. Given that amount of which stops would yall suggest we should do that would allow us to get to our guest house on time? I really appreciate any help. I’m the planner in the group and want to spend our time wisely.

Really, only you can determine which sites to prioritize and how long. Are you traveling with dawdlers or racers? As you can see from the previous posts, time at Stirling Castle can be anywhere from 2 to 5 hours.

And your initial post doesn't include the stops you may want to make along the way for scenic views, waterfalls, maybe Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe. You'll be driving through some beautiful scenery.

Where are you going after Oban?

I think Kilchurn Castle is actually a great idea if it is opened by then. I thought we might have time to stop at Stirling Castle, but with traffic being unpredictable, it might be a risk. One of my companions is “related” to William Wallace so we may need to stop at the monument. We are staying in Oban a few days then heading to Inverness.

It's definitely doable but would be fairly tight. I spent about 3-4 hours at Stirling Castle and 1 hour at Doune Castle (didn't visit the Kelpies) so once accounting for the driving time it could definitely be done but a few things to be mindful of; it might take longer than you think to collect the car - our pickup took an hour because it was busy, if there is traffic or diversions that can greatly increase your driving time (though we found in June that all driving estimates on Google were accurate), but probably above all else, there is a lot you can see along the drive to Oban.

I think you'd have a more comfortable time seeing the sights and then spending a night somewhere before continuing on to Oban if you would prefer to have more time to sightsee as you go.

Kilchurn Castle has been closed for several years. There is no indication that it will be open soon. In 2023 we were able to walk around the exterior. It's setting on Loch Awe is lovely. We even saw a few Highland cattle lazing about.

Personally, if time is a factor I would skip the Kelpies in favor of history and scenery.

Does "stop at the monument" mean climbing the 246 steps to the top or just seeing the Wallace Memorial from the outside?

If you can keep your party moving, you may have time for Stirling Castle, the William Wallace Memorial and a photo op of Kilchurn.

Another thought, split up. Have the Wm Wallace group drop the Stirling Castle group off at the castle, then pickup the castle group after touring the monument. They are about 10-15 minute drive apart.