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Just booked a short break and busy googling but wondering if there's any specific family recommendations for that part of the world. I'll be taking OS maps and nothing makes me happier that doing hill/beach walks but need some variety for wife and boys (11/14). Not taking bikes as doing a city break on the journey back south.
Any killer recommendations?
From Oban the obvious choice would be a boat trip. Maybe drive to Appin and get the ferry over to Kerrera for the day?
Be aware that the Sealife Centre closed last last year.
Crinan Canal area is lovely. Stop at Dunadd on the way there and check out where the new Kings were crowned.
Inverary Jail is popular - as a tourist attraction I mean.
Visit the hydro at Cruachan on Loch Awe. Very James Bond.
Take the ferry to Mull then on to Iona. Iona is... Special.
+1 on Iona - the buses all tie into ferry, so don't bother with the car.
Seil and Easedale are a good day out, and we loved pottering around the small isles like Luing (from Easedale) and Lismore (from port Appin).
When Corran tide is running the huge tiderace is superb.
Further south, a day out to Kimelford (small yachty village), kilmartin (great pre-historic stone circles and carvings) and down to the fairy isles (beaver watching) to ice cream at Tayvallich, stopping at Crinan canal on way home is just fab.
Wet day - pool in Oban is OK, Cruachan mountain is meant to be impressive, and take a drive along the West shore of Loch Awe, stop at coffee shop in Dalavich (great welcome, way out the way place) and back over the Avich road to Kimelford for a 'proper' mountain road...
Iona is lovely, you can ride right round it too. I’ve spent a lot of time there, it was where we decided to set up a mountain bike business! Morar is lovely, the silver sands, another great place if you like beaches. From Oban you can head down to lochaline and there is an amazing restaurant there called the White House. The islands are all great, from Oban you can get to lots of them.
Kilchurn Castle is lovely
Kerrera is a good day out but the ferry is in Oban. Also plenty to see and do around Loch Etive.
The hollow mountain visitor center is really interesting and try get on a tour of the power plant inside the hill. While there drop into St Conans Kirk which is beside loch awe it's an incredible place.
+1 Kilmartin.
Kerrera is a good day out but the ferry is in Oban.
Whoops, getting my islands mixed up. Lismore from Port Appin, Kerrera from Oban.
We stayed in Oban for 2 weeks last summer.
Cruachan power station and Kilchurn Castle are easy to do in tandem. Both are worth visiting and can be done either on a day trip from Oban or when heading to or travelling from Oban, as can Inveraray Jail.
When staying in Oban, Cal Mac and West Coast Coaches have a tie in to visit Mull / Iona / Staffa in one day. The coach driver on Mull is very knowledgable and the puffins on Staffa are cute. Fingals cave on Staffa is an interesting geological feature. The Abbey on Iona is impressive and the island has a lovely atmosphere. Cracking day out if you like boats, seabirds, coastal scenery, fresh air & historical monuments.
Mull is worth a 2nd trip on its own. We took the service bus to Tobermory and walked to the lighthouse north of there. If taking a car over, Calgary Bay and the west coast are quite dramatic.
Kerrera is okay for an easy walk but not on a par with other islands.
Connel Bridge / Falls of Lora are impressive during strong tides.
Fast (expensive) boat trips take you to Corryvreckan Whirlpool. Huge tidal race and great unspoiled scenery at the north end of Jura.
Oban fish and chip shops are fantastic.
Great feedback as ever STW. Thanks.
Cruachan Power station - can't recommend it highly enough but I was lucky as one of the people on my tour was one of the people who helped build it and he pretty much took over from the tour guide and old some brilliant stories. You need to book in advance.
Corryvreckan Whirlpool - great if it's wild. Higher tides usually mean wilder water so check a tide table. Here's a local one https://whirlpool-scotland.co.uk/oldsite/when.html Again book in advance. Takes a good part of the day
Oban fish and chip shops are fantastic.
True and you're unlikely to go far wrong but Oban Fish & Chips (not Oban Bay) always get my money.
The distillery's worth a visit if the weather's not great
Thanks again for all that - just wondering for the easter sat as we head south, is Ben Lomand a honey pot and likely to be packed. Fancy bagging a decent munroe but not that one if mega crowds.
Ben Lomond is, indeed, one of the busiest Munros.
It'll be busy (comparatively). Not as bad as some of the Lakes/Snowdon though.
If you are happy with a map etc then I'd recommend Ben Cruachan. It's a stiff pull from the roadside (arrive early for parking) but has much better views.
Or Ben More/Stob Binnien at Crianlarich?
If you are happy with a map etc then I’d recommend Ben Cruachan. It’s a stiff pull from the roadside (arrive early for parking) but has much better views
^this.
Ben More disagrees with my knees on the way down...
Aye - much better as a loop from the East end
If your not used to hill walking the roadside to dam is quite tough, and you have a long way to go after that, Ben Cruachan
The Cobbler near Arrochar. Not a Munro not a long walk but it's epic. A bit of a scramble near the top. It may well be busy but it's a belter of a hill
Had seen both those two (cobbler and Ben Cruachan) on the OS website so good to get recommendations. Cheers.