Glenrothes to Oban - best route?
Discussion
Mrs.T66 and I have a few days in Scotland coming up in early June. For the first part we'll be over on the east side near Glenrothes, before heading over to Oban. I've driven a bit in Scotland and appreciate I'm not really going to be on the best roads, as we won't be heading too far north to enjoy the great Highlands area.
So, basically, am I damned to be stuck on the usual A-roads behind coach-loads full of tourists, or is there an alternative/picturesque route someone could suggest? I'll be in the Ford Puma, so B-roads certainly wouldn't be an issue! I'd be planning on pretty much a full day's drive from our Glenrothes hotel to the B&B in Oban.
Advice most appreciated!
So, basically, am I damned to be stuck on the usual A-roads behind coach-loads full of tourists, or is there an alternative/picturesque route someone could suggest? I'll be in the Ford Puma, so B-roads certainly wouldn't be an issue! I'd be planning on pretty much a full day's drive from our Glenrothes hotel to the B&B in Oban.
Advice most appreciated!
What are you asking from Oban? My recommendation would to ask for nothing. There is not a single good pub there, only one good seafood restaurant (The Waterfront Fishhouse) and the ferry. Maybe you are heading for the ferry. Or for family, which excuses everything! Otherwise: Good luck.
Regarding roads: The little Glencruitten Road into oban from the A85 is nice. The B8074, too (especially if you like fishing). Otherwise, the usual suspects south-east of Oban to be found in this thread.
Kilmartin House Museum is also very nice.
Regarding roads: The little Glencruitten Road into oban from the A85 is nice. The B8074, too (especially if you like fishing). Otherwise, the usual suspects south-east of Oban to be found in this thread.
Kilmartin House Museum is also very nice.
https://goo.gl/maps/ZzhXtSvPP682
The start has most options, but if you can include Glenfarg and a run over the hills to Dunning all should be reasonably quiet and interesting. I've added the road through Glen Lyon and down the shoulder of Ben Lawers at Loch Tay which could easily be cut out and just go either north or south of Loch Tay, the A827 being the 'main' road and mostly two lane as opposed to the south side single track.
chalda said:
What are you asking from Oban? My recommendation would to ask for nothing. There is not a single good pub there, only one good seafood restaurant (The Waterfront Fishhouse) and the ferry. Maybe you are heading for the ferry. Or for family, which excuses everything! Otherwise: Good luck.
Regarding roads: The little Glencruitten Road into oban from the A85 is nice. The B8074, too (especially if you like fishing). Otherwise, the usual suspects south-east of Oban to be found in this thread.
Kilmartin House Museum is also very nice.
Haha! Fair point. Mrs.T66 wants to go on some seal-diving excursion, and it's booked from Oban. Google's street view shows there's, er, not much else there.Regarding roads: The little Glencruitten Road into oban from the A85 is nice. The B8074, too (especially if you like fishing). Otherwise, the usual suspects south-east of Oban to be found in this thread.
Kilmartin House Museum is also very nice.
JM said:
https://goo.gl/maps/ZzhXtSvPP682
The start has most options, but if you can include Glenfarg and a run over the hills to Dunning all should be reasonably quiet and interesting. I've added the road through Glen Lyon and down the shoulder of Ben Lawers at Loch Tay which could easily be cut out and just go either north or south of Loch Tay, the A827 being the 'main' road and mostly two lane as opposed to the south side single track.
Thank you for that - looks like a bit more fun than a straight A-Road jaunt.The start has most options, but if you can include Glenfarg and a run over the hills to Dunning all should be reasonably quiet and interesting. I've added the road through Glen Lyon and down the shoulder of Ben Lawers at Loch Tay which could easily be cut out and just go either north or south of Loch Tay, the A827 being the 'main' road and mostly two lane as opposed to the south side single track.
JM said:
https://goo.gl/maps/ZzhXtSvPP682
The start has most options, but if you can include Glenfarg and a run over the hills to Dunning all should be reasonably quiet and interesting. I've added the road through Glen Lyon and down the shoulder of Ben Lawers at Loch Tay which could easily be cut out and just go either north or south of Loch Tay, the A827 being the 'main' road and mostly two lane as opposed to the south side single track.
When you reach Tyndrum you must, must, must stay on the A82 and go up through Glencoe - stunning! When you get to Glencoe itself then take the B863 for a lap of the 'Scotsburg' ring and then pick up the A828 south to Oban.The start has most options, but if you can include Glenfarg and a run over the hills to Dunning all should be reasonably quiet and interesting. I've added the road through Glen Lyon and down the shoulder of Ben Lawers at Loch Tay which could easily be cut out and just go either north or south of Loch Tay, the A827 being the 'main' road and mostly two lane as opposed to the south side single track.
I would disagree with chadla and say there are some excellent eateries and a few decent pubs in the town, plenty of coffee shop type places - and there is the famous green seafood shack on the railway pier next to the ferry terminal. Beach is five minutes out of town by car, there's a cinema, stunning viewpoint from McCaigs folly which dominates the town, and loads of sea tours/fishing/diving etc.
If SWIMBO is into seals etc, you could look in on this place
https://www.visitsealife.com/oban/
or http://www.sealsanctuary.co.uk/oban1.html
or http://www.veggies.org.uk/directory/detail-464-58....
Last one in Barcaldine --- PA37 1SE
I googled SEAL RESCUE NEAR OBAN as I know there's a few rescue places near Oban. ( mostly from memory on the Oban- Balachulish road. )
Or if you're interested in how UK talked to the States in the 60's ,you could drive down to Gallenach road and look at what can be seen of the old BT site bearing in mind that a high percentage of the old building was constructed in Cold War years and it was reputed bomb proof. It's like an iceberg- little to see on the surface, but there's two tunnels going straight into the hillside and a massive cavern at the end.
PS- anyone who's worked in there is welcome to PM me.
https://www.visitsealife.com/oban/
or http://www.sealsanctuary.co.uk/oban1.html
or http://www.veggies.org.uk/directory/detail-464-58....
Last one in Barcaldine --- PA37 1SE
I googled SEAL RESCUE NEAR OBAN as I know there's a few rescue places near Oban. ( mostly from memory on the Oban- Balachulish road. )
Or if you're interested in how UK talked to the States in the 60's ,you could drive down to Gallenach road and look at what can be seen of the old BT site bearing in mind that a high percentage of the old building was constructed in Cold War years and it was reputed bomb proof. It's like an iceberg- little to see on the surface, but there's two tunnels going straight into the hillside and a massive cavern at the end.
PS- anyone who's worked in there is welcome to PM me.
stevoknevo said:
When you reach Tyndrum you must, must, must stay on the A82 and go up through Glencoe - stunning! When you get to Glencoe itself then take the B863 for a lap of the 'Scotsburg' ring and then pick up the A828 south to Oban.
I would disagree with chadla and say there are some excellent eateries and a few decent pubs in the town, plenty of coffee shop type places - and there is the famous green seafood shack on the railway pier next to the ferry terminal. Beach is five minutes out of town by car, there's a cinema, stunning viewpoint from McCaigs folly which dominates the town, and loads of sea tours/fishing/diving etc.
Well, that sounds a little more promising - we're only there for a day or two, so it might not be as dull that I thought. I would disagree with chadla and say there are some excellent eateries and a few decent pubs in the town, plenty of coffee shop type places - and there is the famous green seafood shack on the railway pier next to the ferry terminal. Beach is five minutes out of town by car, there's a cinema, stunning viewpoint from McCaigs folly which dominates the town, and loads of sea tours/fishing/diving etc.
[quote=Who me ?]If SWIMBO is into seals etc, you could look in on this place
https://www.visitsealife.com/oban/
or http://www.sealsanctuary.co.uk/oban1.html
or http://www.veggies.org.uk/directory/detail-464-58....
Last one in Barcaldine --- PA37 1SE
I googled SEAL RESCUE NEAR OBAN as I know there's a few rescue places near Oban. ( mostly from memory on the Oban- Balachulish road. )
Or if you're interested in how UK talked to the States in the 60's ,you could drive down to Gallenach road and look at what can be seen of the old BT site bearing in mind that a high percentage of the old building was constructed in Cold War years and it was reputed bomb proof. It's like an iceberg- little to see on the surface, but there's two tunnels going straight into the hillside and a massive cavern at the end.
PS- anyone who's worked in there is welcome to PM me.
However, that BT site sounds very interesting. Didn't know about that, so the info is really appreciated. Is it accessible?
Thank you both for the additional advice!
However, that BT site sounds very interesting. Didn't know about that, so the info is really appreciated. Is it accessible?
AS the saying goes "I dont realy know". It's down a private drive,( on the Galleneoch bay road) drive from the gates, so perhaps a stroll to site might be better. It's about a mile tops.
I'd not advise going inside as there's a 100metre long tunnel ( if it's not sealed off) from the front door to the equipment room, and at one end, if not both there's a lot of water about(from reports on this site), and at one end there's a power chamber lower down ,which I know is DEEP, and from previous reports on here has water to floor level.
If you get there - remember that the white surface building was a late addition, and there's a massive cavern inside the hillside to protect equipment ( I'd suggest that staff were not a concern
).
AS the saying goes "I dont realy know". It's down a private drive,( on the Galleneoch bay road) drive from the gates, so perhaps a stroll to site might be better. It's about a mile tops.
I'd not advise going inside as there's a 100metre long tunnel ( if it's not sealed off) from the front door to the equipment room, and at one end, if not both there's a lot of water about(from reports on this site), and at one end there's a power chamber lower down ,which I know is DEEP, and from previous reports on here has water to floor level.
If you get there - remember that the white surface building was a late addition, and there's a massive cavern inside the hillside to protect equipment ( I'd suggest that staff were not a concern
).MikeT66 said:
stevoknevo said:
When you reach Tyndrum you must, must, must stay on the A82 and go up through Glencoe - stunning! When you get to Glencoe itself then take the B863 for a lap of the 'Scotsburg' ring and then pick up the A828 south to Oban.
I would disagree with chadla and say there are some excellent eateries and a few decent pubs in the town, plenty of coffee shop type places - and there is the famous green seafood shack on the railway pier next to the ferry terminal. Beach is five minutes out of town by car, there's a cinema, stunning viewpoint from McCaigs folly which dominates the town, and loads of sea tours/fishing/diving etc.
Well, that sounds a little more promising - we're only there for a day or two, so it might not be as dull that I thought. I would disagree with chadla and say there are some excellent eateries and a few decent pubs in the town, plenty of coffee shop type places - and there is the famous green seafood shack on the railway pier next to the ferry terminal. Beach is five minutes out of town by car, there's a cinema, stunning viewpoint from McCaigs folly which dominates the town, and loads of sea tours/fishing/diving etc.
Sea life Center is good and easy to get some money off voucher's also ! While in Oban go up to the tower and look out to Kerrera and Mull especially at sunset . If you go over to Mull take the car as the roads are the best roads in the UK search Mull Rally if your interested . Also on Mull you can see seil's, golden eagle's, sea eagle's , red deer , otters and much more also sunset on Calgary beach is one of them things you must do in your life . Go south of Oban to Seil island over the bridge over the Atlantic as pictured on Scottish £5 notes and visit the small island of easdale . I used to live in Oban then on Seil and had an amazing childhood . If you need any more info just ask . Can't wait till October 2 weeks of bliss on Mull !
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