Scottish Road Trip Advice
Discussion
On our annual trip to Scotland this year we are thinking of heading down to Campbeltown. If we turned onto the A85 near the Green Welly and then followed the road through Oban and then picked up the A816 leading to the A83 to Campbeltown. I would love to know from people who have done this based upon two night stops where to stay on the first night and what is worth seeing. Are the roads suggested any good and am i underestimating the time taken to get down there. Really appreciate any help . Thanks 🙏 BTW how long does it realistically take to drive from Campbeltown back to Glasgow.
I did Glasgow to Campbelltown last December. I did a different route there and yours back.
Following the road from Tarbet at Loch Lomond towards Inverary. Nice road, skirts the coast /Lochs. Very pleasant. Feels a little like being in the Fiords.
Decent hotel at Inverary (cant remember name, but on the main road on the way south out of town).
Campbelltown really not worth visiting, but the journey to get there is pretty good. I basically did it to 'do' the Mull of Kintyre.
Following the road from Tarbet at Loch Lomond towards Inverary. Nice road, skirts the coast /Lochs. Very pleasant. Feels a little like being in the Fiords.
Decent hotel at Inverary (cant remember name, but on the main road on the way south out of town).
Campbelltown really not worth visiting, but the journey to get there is pretty good. I basically did it to 'do' the Mull of Kintyre.
Edited by Mr Squarekins on Monday 15th June 20:14
I was going to suggest the Ardrossan-Campbeltown ferry depending on where you're coming from, then up the coast. From the Green Welly to Oban is 45-60 minutes depending on weather/traffic, then it's two hours from Oban to Campbeltown (I live in Oban and worked in Campbeltown for a few years, my PB was 1hr37m without doing anything that'd end me in the jail) Taking the A815 via Inveraray and on to Lochgilphead and then Campbeltown would be around two hours all in.
If you are coming from the Green Welly side then I'd probably go via Inveraray (the best known hotel is The George, very good and the food is excellent in the bar) the Jail is worth a visit and the castle is beautiful although I've only ever seen it from the road when passing, then straight down to Campbeltown as Lochgilphead has little of note worth stopping for bar the public toilet. After Lochgilphead/Ardrishaig the road hugs the coast of Loch Fyne and can be narrow in places so be mindful of oncoming HGV/PSV. Tarbert is a pretty wee harbour and the road widens a bit after it, still quite twisty in places until after Whitehouse when it starts to straighten out as you're now on the west coast of Kintyre - the view all the way down to Campbeltown is magnificent on a clear day with the paps of Jura in the background before you pass the isle of Gigha (got married there!) Islay, Rathlin Island and Northern Ireland in the distance.
If you've an interest in whisky there's a couple of distilleries in Campbeltown, and I believe you can walk over to Davaar island at low tide from the town; there's a wee one-man-band bird sanctuary out at Machrihanish, and of course the golf courses, but you can't see much of the airbase from the road. And there's a nice beach and 'Columba's footprints' down in Southend. If you're going to the Mull of Kintyre lighthouse then don't be taking a low car as it's proper middle of nowhere single track roads that aren't the best - there's parking for 6ish cars at the top of the road and it's barriered so if you want to walk right down to the lighthouse be aware it's as steep as f
k! However the Chinook crash memorial is quite near the top - cracking views to N.I.
On the way back I'd take the eastern coast B842 road as the views of the mountains of Arran are stunning and there's some really pretty bits on the first half up to Carradale, it can get a bit barren at time afterwards but will eventually bring you back out between Whitehouse and Kennacraig ferry terminal and nearly back to Tarbert.
If you really want to treat yourself then the Kilberry Inn is not too far away - they only book rooms on a dinner bed and breakfast basis and it's £250 per night for two - the food is supposedly outstanding. Or drive on past Lochgilphead to the Kilmartin Hotel - there's more ancient Scottish history on the hotel's doorstep than you could shake a stty stick at. Or keep going to Oban where there's stacks of hotels/B&Bs/Restaurants/pubs.
It really depend what you what to do - if it's mainly driving then you could easily go from the Green Welly down to Campbeltown, out to Machrihanish, down to Southend and out to the MoK before heading up the east side and on to Oban in a day, or spend the night around Tarbert and meander up to Oban the next day via places like Tayvallich (personal favourite but I'm biased) Crinan, aforementioned Kilmartin, Ardfern, Craobh Haven, Bridge over the Atlantic in Seil etc. Do it when the weather forecast is planned to be good if you can, it's not much fun in the pissing rain when you can't see fk all. Oh and the A816 Oban-Lochgilphead is a fantastic driving road, my favourite in Argyll.
If you are coming from the Green Welly side then I'd probably go via Inveraray (the best known hotel is The George, very good and the food is excellent in the bar) the Jail is worth a visit and the castle is beautiful although I've only ever seen it from the road when passing, then straight down to Campbeltown as Lochgilphead has little of note worth stopping for bar the public toilet. After Lochgilphead/Ardrishaig the road hugs the coast of Loch Fyne and can be narrow in places so be mindful of oncoming HGV/PSV. Tarbert is a pretty wee harbour and the road widens a bit after it, still quite twisty in places until after Whitehouse when it starts to straighten out as you're now on the west coast of Kintyre - the view all the way down to Campbeltown is magnificent on a clear day with the paps of Jura in the background before you pass the isle of Gigha (got married there!) Islay, Rathlin Island and Northern Ireland in the distance.
If you've an interest in whisky there's a couple of distilleries in Campbeltown, and I believe you can walk over to Davaar island at low tide from the town; there's a wee one-man-band bird sanctuary out at Machrihanish, and of course the golf courses, but you can't see much of the airbase from the road. And there's a nice beach and 'Columba's footprints' down in Southend. If you're going to the Mull of Kintyre lighthouse then don't be taking a low car as it's proper middle of nowhere single track roads that aren't the best - there's parking for 6ish cars at the top of the road and it's barriered so if you want to walk right down to the lighthouse be aware it's as steep as f
k! However the Chinook crash memorial is quite near the top - cracking views to N.I.On the way back I'd take the eastern coast B842 road as the views of the mountains of Arran are stunning and there's some really pretty bits on the first half up to Carradale, it can get a bit barren at time afterwards but will eventually bring you back out between Whitehouse and Kennacraig ferry terminal and nearly back to Tarbert.
If you really want to treat yourself then the Kilberry Inn is not too far away - they only book rooms on a dinner bed and breakfast basis and it's £250 per night for two - the food is supposedly outstanding. Or drive on past Lochgilphead to the Kilmartin Hotel - there's more ancient Scottish history on the hotel's doorstep than you could shake a s
tty stick at. Or keep going to Oban where there's stacks of hotels/B&Bs/Restaurants/pubs.It really depend what you what to do - if it's mainly driving then you could easily go from the Green Welly down to Campbeltown, out to Machrihanish, down to Southend and out to the MoK before heading up the east side and on to Oban in a day, or spend the night around Tarbert and meander up to Oban the next day via places like Tayvallich (personal favourite but I'm biased) Crinan, aforementioned Kilmartin, Ardfern, Craobh Haven, Bridge over the Atlantic in Seil etc. Do it when the weather forecast is planned to be good if you can, it's not much fun in the pissing rain when you can't see f
k all. Oh and the A816 Oban-Lochgilphead is a fantastic driving road, my favourite in Argyll.Edited by stevoknevo on Tuesday 16th June 21:04
tattarrattat said:
Are the roads fully open? Last time I looked at this, some roads had blocks still.
They're open, haven't been closed at all to the best of my knowledge, however we only moved from essential travel only to being able to travel a bit further for exercise/leisure (within reason, think that's mostly out the window now) hopefully more easing of restrictions on Thursday? I heard today that non-essential shops may be opening from Monday, and potentially beer gardens opening from the 15th July? My Son's primary school sent word today that he's in group B and will be in on Thursdays and Fridays, other cohort Mondays and Tuesdays with deep clean on Wednesdays, so it seems things are beginning to move again. Oban has been the hardest hit town financially in Scotland during this, spending down 68%, so I'm sure there'll be plenty folk willing the tourists back.stevoknevo said:
I was going to suggest the Ardrossan-Campbeltown ferry depending on where you're coming from, then up the coast. From the Green Welly to Oban is 45-60 minutes depending on weather/traffic, then it's two hours from Oban to Campbeltown (I live in Oban and worked in Campbeltown for a few years, my PB was 1hr37m without doing anything that'd end me in the jail) Taking the A815 via Inveraray and on to Lochgilphead and then Campbeltown would be around two hours all in.
If you are coming from the Green Welly side then I'd probably go via Inveraray (the best known hotel is The George, very good and the food is excellent in the bar) the Jail is worth a visit and the castle is beautiful although I've only ever seen it from the road when passing, then straight down to Campbeltown as Lochgilphead has little of note worth stopping for bar the public toilet. After Lochgilphead/Ardrishaig the road hugs the coast of Loch Fyne and can be narrow in places so be mindful of oncoming HGV/PSV. Tarbert is a pretty wee harbour and the road widens a bit after it, still quite twisty in places until after Whitehouse when it starts to straighten out as you're now on the west coast of Kintyre - the view all the way down to Campbeltown is magnificent on a clear day with the paps of Jura in the background before you pass the isle of Gigha (got married there!) Islay, Rathlin Island and Northern Ireland in the distance.
If you've an interest in whisky there's a couple of distilleries in Campbeltown, and I believe you can walk over to Davaar island at low tide from the town; there's a wee one-man-band bird sanctuary out at Machrihanish, and of course the golf courses, but you can't see much of the airbase from the road. And there's a nice beach and 'Columba's footprints' down in Southend. If you're going to the Mull of Kintyre lighthouse then don't be taking a low car as it's proper middle of nowhere single track roads that aren't the best - there's parking for 6ish cars at the top of the road and it's barriered so if you want to walk right down to the lighthouse be aware it's as steep as fk! However the Chinook crash memorial is quite near the top - cracking views to N.I.
On the way back I'd take the eastern coast B842 road as the views of the mountains of Arran are stunning and there's some really pretty bits on the first half up to Carradale, it can get a bit barren at time afterwards but will eventually bring you back out between Whitehouse and Kennacraig ferry terminal and nearly back to Tarbert.
If you really want to treat yourself then the Kilberry Inn is not too far away - they only book rooms on a dinner bed and breakfast basis and it's £250 per night for two - the food is supposedly outstanding. Or drive on past Lochgilphead to the Kilmartin Hotel - there's more ancient Scottish history on the hotel's doorstep than you could shake a stty stick at. Or keep going to Oban where there's stacks of hotels/B&Bs/Restaurants/pubs.
It really depend what you what to do - if it's mainly driving then you could easily go from the Green Welly down to Campbeltown, out to Machrihanish, down to Southend and out to the MoK before heading up the east side and on to Oban in a day, or spend the night around Tarbert and meander up to Oban the next day via places like Tayvallich (personal favourite but I'm biased) Crinan, aforementioned Kilmartin, Ardfern, Craobh Haven, Bridge over the Atlantic in Seil etc. Do it when the weather forecast is planned to be good if you can, it's not much fun in the pissing rain when you can't see fk all. Oh and the A816 Oban-Lochgilphead is a fantastic driving road, my favourite in Argyll.
Thanks very much it is posts like this that makes PH . This is just the information I was looking for. Very much appreciated and I am already making plans.If you are coming from the Green Welly side then I'd probably go via Inveraray (the best known hotel is The George, very good and the food is excellent in the bar) the Jail is worth a visit and the castle is beautiful although I've only ever seen it from the road when passing, then straight down to Campbeltown as Lochgilphead has little of note worth stopping for bar the public toilet. After Lochgilphead/Ardrishaig the road hugs the coast of Loch Fyne and can be narrow in places so be mindful of oncoming HGV/PSV. Tarbert is a pretty wee harbour and the road widens a bit after it, still quite twisty in places until after Whitehouse when it starts to straighten out as you're now on the west coast of Kintyre - the view all the way down to Campbeltown is magnificent on a clear day with the paps of Jura in the background before you pass the isle of Gigha (got married there!) Islay, Rathlin Island and Northern Ireland in the distance.
If you've an interest in whisky there's a couple of distilleries in Campbeltown, and I believe you can walk over to Davaar island at low tide from the town; there's a wee one-man-band bird sanctuary out at Machrihanish, and of course the golf courses, but you can't see much of the airbase from the road. And there's a nice beach and 'Columba's footprints' down in Southend. If you're going to the Mull of Kintyre lighthouse then don't be taking a low car as it's proper middle of nowhere single track roads that aren't the best - there's parking for 6ish cars at the top of the road and it's barriered so if you want to walk right down to the lighthouse be aware it's as steep as f
k! However the Chinook crash memorial is quite near the top - cracking views to N.I.On the way back I'd take the eastern coast B842 road as the views of the mountains of Arran are stunning and there's some really pretty bits on the first half up to Carradale, it can get a bit barren at time afterwards but will eventually bring you back out between Whitehouse and Kennacraig ferry terminal and nearly back to Tarbert.
If you really want to treat yourself then the Kilberry Inn is not too far away - they only book rooms on a dinner bed and breakfast basis and it's £250 per night for two - the food is supposedly outstanding. Or drive on past Lochgilphead to the Kilmartin Hotel - there's more ancient Scottish history on the hotel's doorstep than you could shake a s
tty stick at. Or keep going to Oban where there's stacks of hotels/B&Bs/Restaurants/pubs.It really depend what you what to do - if it's mainly driving then you could easily go from the Green Welly down to Campbeltown, out to Machrihanish, down to Southend and out to the MoK before heading up the east side and on to Oban in a day, or spend the night around Tarbert and meander up to Oban the next day via places like Tayvallich (personal favourite but I'm biased) Crinan, aforementioned Kilmartin, Ardfern, Craobh Haven, Bridge over the Atlantic in Seil etc. Do it when the weather forecast is planned to be good if you can, it's not much fun in the pissing rain when you can't see f
k all. Oh and the A816 Oban-Lochgilphead is a fantastic driving road, my favourite in Argyll.Edited by stevoknevo on Tuesday 16th June 21:04
bentley01 said:
Thanks very much it is posts like this that makes PH . This is just the information I was looking for. Very much appreciated and I am already making plans.
You're more than welcome, one of the few things I've got some knowledge of 
I actually missed out it was a two night stay, thought it was one! And missed the Campbeltown to Glasgow bit, three hours weather/traffic/time of day dependent - an hour to Lochgilphead and two to Glasgow, it can get a bit hectic over the Rest and Be Thankful and especially up the Lomondside at busy periods. And there's quite often accident related road closures that can double that time or more as the detours are lengthy - we were the first car stopped by plod on the Rest after a slip, couldn't go back via Inverary/Crianlarich as it was closed too, so had to go to Dunoon and pay the ferry to Gourock. You can't take anything for granted on these roads, regardless of weather.Just remembered, I stayed with very good friends every week when I worked in Campbeltown, their pals own the Old Grammar B&B that's right in the centre of town and borders the hospital, really quiet area - gets great reviews and the owners are great craic, just in case you plan to spend the night down there. Or park up at Tayinloan and take the 20 min ferry to Gigha, three minutes after getting off the ferry you'll be sitting outside the Boathouse with a pint looking at paradise - It's a glorious wee place.
Or leave the car in Tarbert and take the ferry Portavadie and stay at the marina - it's all a bit corporate but the outdoor pool and view alone is worth it.
And I always take visitors to Crinan - it's where the Crinan canal (aka Scotland's most beautiful shortcut) meets the sea and you can mill about for a while watching the boats navigating the locks. Kids love it and the staff will sometimes let them press the buttons to open/close them.
Easdale island is another wee peculiarity - former slate mining island and maybe one of the shortest ferry crossings anywhere.
stevoknevo said:
You're more than welcome, one of the few things I've got some knowledge of I actually missed out it was a two night stay, thought it was one! And missed the Campbeltown to Glasgow bit, three hours weather/traffic/time of day dependent - an hour to Lochgilphead and two to Glasgow, it can get a bit hectic over the Rest and Be Thankful and especially up the Lomondside at busy periods. And there's quite often accident related road closures that can double that time or more as the detours are lengthy - we were the first car stopped by plod on the Rest after a slip, couldn't go back via Inverary/Crianlarich as it was closed too, so had to go to Dunoon and pay the ferry to Gourock. You can't take anything for granted on these roads, regardless of weather.
Just remembered, I stayed with very good friends every week when I worked in Campbeltown, their pals own the Old Grammar B&B that's right in the centre of town and borders the hospital, really quiet area - gets great reviews and the owners are great craic, just in case you plan to spend the night down there. Or park up at Tayinloan and take the 20 min ferry to Gigha, three minutes after getting off the ferry you'll be sitting outside the Boathouse with a pint looking at paradise - It's a glorious wee place.
Or leave the car in Tarbert and take the ferry Portavadie and stay at the marina - it's all a bit corporate but the outdoor pool and view alone is worth it.
And I always take visitors to Crinan - it's where the Crinan canal (aka Scotland's most beautiful shortcut) meets the sea and you can mill about for a while watching the boats navigating the locks. Kids love it and the staff will sometimes let them press the buttons to open/close them.
Easdale island is another wee peculiarity - former slate mining island and maybe one of the shortest ferry crossings anywhere.
A two night trip is heading for three nights based upon this. Great info and as soon as we are welcome again we are on our way. Stay Safe 😄 I actually missed out it was a two night stay, thought it was one! And missed the Campbeltown to Glasgow bit, three hours weather/traffic/time of day dependent - an hour to Lochgilphead and two to Glasgow, it can get a bit hectic over the Rest and Be Thankful and especially up the Lomondside at busy periods. And there's quite often accident related road closures that can double that time or more as the detours are lengthy - we were the first car stopped by plod on the Rest after a slip, couldn't go back via Inverary/Crianlarich as it was closed too, so had to go to Dunoon and pay the ferry to Gourock. You can't take anything for granted on these roads, regardless of weather.Just remembered, I stayed with very good friends every week when I worked in Campbeltown, their pals own the Old Grammar B&B that's right in the centre of town and borders the hospital, really quiet area - gets great reviews and the owners are great craic, just in case you plan to spend the night down there. Or park up at Tayinloan and take the 20 min ferry to Gigha, three minutes after getting off the ferry you'll be sitting outside the Boathouse with a pint looking at paradise - It's a glorious wee place.
Or leave the car in Tarbert and take the ferry Portavadie and stay at the marina - it's all a bit corporate but the outdoor pool and view alone is worth it.
And I always take visitors to Crinan - it's where the Crinan canal (aka Scotland's most beautiful shortcut) meets the sea and you can mill about for a while watching the boats navigating the locks. Kids love it and the staff will sometimes let them press the buttons to open/close them.
Easdale island is another wee peculiarity - former slate mining island and maybe one of the shortest ferry crossings anywhere.
Mr Squarekins said:
Also on the road down the west side of mull of kintyre, the road is often right by the sea. Loads of seals to spot.
If you take the Kilberry road there's often seals on the rocks at Loch Caolisport. We lived half way round the Kilberry road when we first moved to Argyll - need to watch out for deer round there too, thousands of the buggers - used to come out the drive about 7am and within 50 yards there'd be hundreds of them in the fields; had a brief interaction with a huge 12 pointer, I was driving home and he was stood behind a wall not far from the side of the road, and I'm glad that wall was there! He snuffled and snorted at us for 30-40 secs then roared and effed off back in to the trees and up the hill. Only there 3 months but the wildlife we saw was incredible - whales, dolphin, otters, pine marten, sea eagles...and bastirtin suicidal pheasants!We took over the Mrs' Uncle's caravan, not so far up the coast as the crow flies, about 15 years ago - seen some incredible sights over the years from it, not including the wildlife - two zip-line helicopter rescues, seaplane is over regularly, a McLaren launch event in the village, a Lambo Murcielago, and a fighter jet pilot that frightened the absolute s
t out of me when he buzzed right over us at proper low level (it was awesome though - transpired they had family in the village and used to fly over most Fridays)There's a famous Scottish artist with a Morgan and another has a fully restored 80's Ferrari in the village too - seen quite a few interesting cars at the pub too.Edited by stevoknevo on Friday 19th June 15:22
I've not much to add to what hasn't already been said. I'd rate the Kintyre peninsula and the west coast continuing up to Oban (as well as all of Loch Fyne) as some of the very best scenery that Scotland has to offer.
Driving roads - little beats the A816 from Oban to Lochgilphead for variety, views and interesting bends as it climbs over hills between skirting the sea lochs.
Another vote for food in The George in Inveraray.
The only bleb is Lochgilphead: not a lot to do though there's a very decent curry to be had there (Taj Mahal I think). Campbeltown is a bit of a backwater but it has its charms... it's not a bustling place like Oban, much quieter but just as friendly and some good food to be had there too.
I spent a couple of years working around and about there (Oban, Muasdale, Gigha, Southend, Inveraray, Furnace and Lochgilhead) and have very good memories, but needed a place to base myself so now slightly further up the coast.
Driving roads - little beats the A816 from Oban to Lochgilphead for variety, views and interesting bends as it climbs over hills between skirting the sea lochs.
Another vote for food in The George in Inveraray.
The only bleb is Lochgilphead: not a lot to do though there's a very decent curry to be had there (Taj Mahal I think). Campbeltown is a bit of a backwater but it has its charms... it's not a bustling place like Oban, much quieter but just as friendly and some good food to be had there too.
I spent a couple of years working around and about there (Oban, Muasdale, Gigha, Southend, Inveraray, Furnace and Lochgilhead) and have very good memories, but needed a place to base myself so now slightly further up the coast.
bentley01 said:
Thanks very much for the information. I guess the Mull is worth seeing. Anyone local got any ideas of where to stay and the best roads to take.? I will look at Inveraray as a possible night stop.
My family owned a hotel in Mull called The Glenforsa, I know it's still there but no idea what it's like these days. Great memories.
Sy1441 said:
bentley01 said:
Thanks very much for the information. I guess the Mull is worth seeing. Anyone local got any ideas of where to stay and the best roads to take.? I will look at Inveraray as a possible night stop.
My family owned a hotel in Mull called The Glenforsa, I know it's still there but no idea what it's like these days. Great memories.
The mysterious death of Peter Gibbs.
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