Coast, sea Highlands & Islands –
Unicorn Tours throughout Scotland

Westcoast, spectacular Argyll, Oban & the Kilmartin standing stone circles

1 day

This is a private & personalised tour for a group of up to 8 & AVAILABLE on any green* calendar day --- FREE 1 DAY TOURS 35 MILES PICK UP ZONE includes Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth & much of the Scottish Central Belt within 35 miles of our Alloa home base in the heart of the Scottish Central Belt between Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Loch Lomond & Trossachs nationalpark & the Fife Coast --- FREE ALONG THE WAY PICK UP LOCATIONS free (excess mileage does not apply) pick ups from anywhere along the route from our Alloa homebase towards your tour destination we pass along = Free additional pick ups for this private tour also in the Inveraray & Dalmally area --- EXCESS MILEAGE PAYABLE PICK UPS the additional pick up mileage supplement applies outwith & beyond the 35 miles free pick up zone more than 35 miles from our Alloa home base --- UNAVAILABLE on red & blue calendar days & during green* "Island based tour days", when our tours start from & finish at our temporary Scottish Islands & regions base further away instead

1D#9

Tour summary & highlights

Westcoast, spectacular Argyll, Oban & Kilmartin standing stones

1 day tour to explore

for your private, flexible tailor-made small group sample itinerary 1D#9


Westcoast, spectacular Argyll, Oban & Kilmartin standing stones  – 1 day to explore

As this is your own private small group tour, the itinerary is very flexible and along the way, we can add additional nearby stops and depending on the weather it is also possible to swap the route of day 1 and day 2 around. So the route for day 1 and day 2 is a sample itinerary and can be amended if you prefer.

Outbound journey

via (photostop) LussLoch Lomond

 

Beginning our journey through stunning Argyll

Via Arrochar and the Arrochar Alps

Past Rest and be thankful

 


possible Cowal side trip # 1

from just after Rest & be thankful to Tarbert

via the Cowal peninsula

with a photostop at the Kyle of Bute

Tighnabruaich

taking the short scenic Portavadie ferry to Tarbert ferry


Inveraray

on request optional visit of Inveraray castle

(the home of the Duke of Argyll & chief of Clan Campbell)


Side trip # 2

to include the Kilmartin Standing stone circle from Inveraray south to Oban:

Lochgilphead

Crinan canal

past Dunadd

the capital of the ancient kingdom of Dál Riata

Kilmartin


Kilmartin Cross


Kilmartin – sculpture slabstones


Kilmartin glen standing stone circles

past Canasserie castle

Picturesque Ardfern

and Craobh Haven

Craobh Haven

Craobh Haven, Argyll – Unicorn Tours

 

Arduaine subtropical gardens


Possible loop # 2A & # 2 B

Eastern loop # 2A

south of Lochgilphead/Tarbert including stunning views of Arran & the Kintyre peninsula:

Tarbert / Loch Fyne

Dramatic hilltop views of the Isle of ArranKintyre

Skipness Castle & beach

Western loop # 2B

south of Lochgilphead/Tarbert around the wild Kilberry peninsula with views of Jura, Islay, Gigha & sometimes as far as Northern Ireland:

& off the beaten track loop around the remote Kilberry peninsula with a tidal beach & seals (tide dependent), views of Islay, Jura, Gigha and on a clear day of the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland and Sculptured Kilberry stones


Possible side trip # 2C

from the Crinan canal to include:

Knapdale

Tayvallich


Optional side trip # 2D

between Arduaine subtroprical gardens and Oban across the Bridge over the Atlantic

The bridge “over the Atlantic” to the Isle of Seil – Argyll – Scottish Westcoast

to the three slate islands:

Seil

Luing

Hebrides – Luing (Inner Hebrides by ferry from the Isle of Seil – which has “the Bridge over the Atlantic” to the Argyll coast south of Oban) – Unicorn Tours

&

Easdale

with stunning views of the cliffs of Southern Mull


To our our main tour destination

the amazing, happening, vibrant and always stunningly beautiful Oban

– main Caledonian MacBrayne ferryport

& gateway to many of the Western Isles

(please keep in mind, this is your own private, small group personalised tour and at Unicorn Highlands & Islands tours we try to tailor your tour to your preferences, hobbies and interests and according to the weather – to get the balance right – more scenic side trips # 1, 2, 2A, 2B & 2C will mean less time in Oban, but as every group and tour guest is unique and individual, we wish to give these different options, so as to be able to maximise everyone’s experience of this tour)

 

With stunning views of the Isle of Kerrara

Mull

and Oban bay,

especially from McCaig’s Tower

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCaig’s_Tower

If you are looking for a beautiful colourful harbour town, will all amenities, incl. seafood restaurants and more local things to do and Oban does have it all

Oban / Argyll – Coast, sea Highlands & Islands – Unicorn Tours throughout Scotland

Ganavan bay / Oban – Coast, sea Highlands & Islands – Unicorn Tours throughout Scotland

Pulpit hill

There are various dramatic walks & viewpoints in and around Oban, including at Gallanach beach

 

 


Sidetrip # 3:

Depending on timings there might be an option of a scenic non-landing Mull round ferry trip.

Return journey

After we leave Oban we have get a nice view of Dunstaffnage marina and castle.

Dunstaffnage castle
h

From Connel bridge – tide-dependent – we can view the rapids of the

Falls of Lora


After Connel bridge, there is another scenic side trip option # 4:


Along the road coastal road north, there are various short side trips options # 5:

Tralee beach

Loch Creran

Appin

Isle of Lismore


From the main road, we will catch a brief glimpse of

Castle Stalker


The Fort William/Glen Nevis area is part of most of our other Highland tours, but if the small private group so requests, that would be another potential side trip # 6:

Fort William/Glen Nevis area
http://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/fort-william-p236531
Town with all facilities, if the weather is nice and the views are clear, we also have the option to drive into stunning Glen Nevis (sheer cliffs, waterfalls, etc.) for a great walk..


Glencoe/Ballachulish/Kinlochleven area

Glencoe

Rannoch Moor

and through the Trossachs nationalpark

and Breadalbane

back to the Lowlands, Central Scotland, Stirling, Glasgow, Edinburgh, etc. for your drop off at the end of the tour.

 

Depending on the weather, we might discuss and decide to reverse the route and first drive the “return route” and then the “outbound route” on the way back  (so as to maximise sunshine and minimise rain).
Also on very rainy days, we may have less outdoor sightseeing and if the group so wishes, we may visit a whisky distillery, castle, museum, etc. indoors

 



A sample past tour itinerary to Kilmartin glen:

Kilmartin glen 1 day tour

After having picked you up from Balloch we enter the Highlands and Loch Lomond & Trossachs nationalpark and drive along the western shores of Loch Lomond, past Duck Bay and Luss.

At Tarbert we head west into Argyll and along the Atlantic Loch Long fjord nestled below the Arrochar Alps.

We drive through the Argyll forest park and up to the great views of Rest and be thankful before descending to Loch Fyne.

When we cross the bridge at Inveraray we can spot Inveraray castle and home of the Duke of Argyll & Campbell Clan chief to the right.

We have our first stop in the coastal village of Inveraray.

Along Loch Fyne we drive south to Lochgilphead and follow the Crinan canal before stopping at the Dunadd hillfort (ancient capital of Dalriada).

We enter the Kilmartin glen and see the Ballymeanoch Standing stones on our left.

Due to the heavy rain we first visit the sculptured stones outside Kilmartin church.

After a quick coffee we visit the Kilmartin prehistoric museum before we have our lunch there.

We have a short stop at the Temple woods & Nether Largie stone circle and the Nether Largie South Cairn.

We drive past Carnasserie castle to Ardfern and the Craignish peninsula to the Kirkton chapel & gravestones before having a short walk at Craignish point.

At the Loch Melfort hotel we enjoy the view and see some Highland cows.

In Oban we drive up McCaig’s Folly (colloseum) for some spectacular views across Oban bay and out to the Isles (Kerrara, Mull & Lismore).

Past Dunstaffnage bay and the Falls of Lora we drive inland and along Loch Awe, where we spot Kilchurn castle.

After a longer stop at the Green Welly at Tyndrum, we drive through the Loch Lomond & Trossachs nationalpark and along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond back to your accommodation in Balloch.

Tour itinerary
Private tour price for the 8 passenger seater mini-bus & driver/tourguide, i.e. the tour price for a private group of min. 1 and max 8 passengers

1 day tour price (private & small group tours of Scotland)


Personalised & private small group tours all over Scotland (100+ itineraries: ½ – 7 day tour options & discounted multi-day tours to choose from) – with a set daily tour price for our tour guide driver & 8 passenger seater mini-bus (due to the fixed same overall cost for up to 8 passengers, the cheapest per person price for a private small group tour is if 8, 7, 6 or 5 are travelling together to share the set fixed daily cost, which is the same total cost, no matter if there are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 passengers on a private mini-bus tour)

All of these private & personalised, small group tours of Scotland

are available on any available green calendar days for private tours

5, 6, 7 days 4 days 3 days
2 days Scottish destinations/Tour extensions & add ons 1 day
Activities, special interests & tour themes Walking tours ½ & short day tours

 

 

 

 

 

  • Choose any private & personalised tailormade 1/2 day tour on any available green calendar day.
  • Choose any private & personalised tailormade 1 day tour on any available green calendar day.
  • Choose any private & personalised tailormade 2 day tour on any 2 consecutive available green calendar days. Any private 2 day tours will already show a 2.5% discount.
  • Choose any private & personalised tailormade 3 day tour on any 3 consecutive available green calendar days. Any private 3 day tours will already show a 5% discount.
  • Choose any private & personalised tailormade 4 day tour on any 4 consecutive available green calendar days. Any private 4 day tours will already include a 7.5% discount.
  • Choose any private personalised & tailormade 5 day tour on any 5 consecutive available green calendar days. Any private 5 day tours will already include a 10% discount.
  • Choose any private personalised & tailormade 6 day tour on any 6 consecutive available green calendar days. Any private 6 day tours is discounted by 12.5%.
  • Choose any private personalised & tailormade 7 day tour on any 7 consecutive available green calendar days. Any private 7 day tour prices already show the 15% discount. 

Additionally from September to May there is a 12.5% student discount, which also applies to seniors over 65 and to children up to 17 travelling as part of a family group.

 

 

Extra costs & ferry info (if applicable)
Tour links
  • (1) Some of our private tour options in the Oban & Argyll region, including 1 day trips to the near Inner Hebrides from the Westcoast
  • (2) Westcoast tours – photos & videos

 



(1)

Some of our private tour options

in the Oban & Argyll region,

including 1 day trips to the near Inner Hebrides from the Westcoast :



(2)

Westcoast journey on 07th March 2023

Video highlights of Westcoast tour on 25th February 2023

 

Tour options

 


Information about private tours in general


Private & personalised tailormade tours to suit your group’s preferences

This is your very own private tour for you and your friends and family members of up to 8 people travelling on this tour together.

Before any private tour, we always check for your must-see stops, interests, hobbies, activities, preferences, priorities and any special requests you might have and we ask you about your preferred pace of travel so to tailor make and personalise the tour to suit your needs.

The route, the stops and the itinerary we give on our website for any private tour are for information and guidance only, as in the end it is you, who decides, what you wish to do, where you wish to stop and what you wish to do and see.

Any private tour itinerary can be shortened, extended or amended, if you wish to do so.


Flexibility on private tours

We also like to keep things flexible as our experience is that there are places, once you arrive and see them, you just fall in love with and wish to spend more time and longer.

whereas some other times we arrive at a place and they are different from what you had expected and you are ok to have a shorter stop and to move on quicker.

Flexibility is also good as on a beautiful gorgeous blue sunny day when all colours in nature and the landscapes are sparkling and you have clear and amazing far distant visibility and the scenery and places are at their best, you probably prefer to spend more time outdoors, while on a stormy, wet, dark, grey and cold day, you are likely to prefer more indoor venues during your stops.


Travelling at your own pace on private tours

Some guests are on a whirlwind tour with little time and wish to pack as much into a short time as possible and are ok with just short photo stops,

whereas other tour guests prefer to travel at a more leisurely pace to be able to explore and discover and soak it all in and leaving the tour with a memorable and lasting experience.

All of this is possible within the constraints of your chosen route, the distances involved

and during the winter season the shorter daylight hours we have.


Lunch breaks on private tours

Some guests put a lot of emphasis on a good quality lunch in a good atmospheric restaurant and we can prebook lunch venues,

whereas other guests are ok to just stop at a supermarket for a sandwich to eat on the go

or just need a short lunch stop for some light snack to eat.


Your tour options on any private tour are unlimited and endless

Same place, same route – but one one private tour, the private tour guests would want to visit the castle, while on another tour at the same place, they want a whisky tour instead and yet again same place on the next tour the private tour guests, want to just go for a walk on the beach there, while another time at the same place, they just want to go shopping, visit the museum or stop at the golf course – so same place, but on each private tour at this very same place, we visit different places and the itinerary, stops and experience is different. 

As this is a private & personalised tour to suit your interests, preferences, hobbies and activities, it is up to you and we can either offer our normal tour itinerary for the location with all the many local highlights and sights and be flexible depending on the season, the weather, the time we have and also be fully flexible during the tour (as some places, you will love and stay longer and at other places you come to, you might wish to just take a photo and then leave, so in the end you might on the day of the tour decide to stay longer or shorter at some of the places we visit or you might still decide to add in some additional stops and places you had not thought about before)  and also partially or fully adjust it to suit your interests and preferences or entirely turn it into a specialist interest tour “a whisky tour”, “a castle, cathedral, historic sights tours”, a “walking tour”, a “nature & wildlife tour”, a “golf tour”, an “activity tour”, etc. depending on what you request (also see our full range of  Activities, special interests & tour themes.)

If it says on the tour itinerary, the tour starts in A and ends in Z and on our journey from A to Z we are travelling and can be stopping at B, C, D, E, F…… X & Y,

it might be the same route on every such private tour, but with every private tour group and individuals, it could still be an entirely & very different tour after all,

as there are so many different special interests & tour themes

so that the main focus of some private tour groups could be

  • architecture & charming towns & villages
  • castles, history
  • child-friendly stops
  • churches, abbeys & religious sites
  • dining & and having a great lunch eating out
  • events based, such as visiting the Highland games while on the tour with us
  • family history & genealogy
  • gardens, flowers & parks
  • golf, football or other sports’ venues
  • literature, film or movie fictional based tour, i.e. visiting filming locations of Outlander, Harry Potter, Shetland crime series, Downtown Abbey. etc.
  • nature & wildlife, seabirds, puffins or whale
  • watching
  • the scenery, the coast & beaches
  • snow and wintry landscapes
  • tourist steam train in conjunction with our tour
  • walking
  • waterfalls
  • whisky distilleries, gin and breweries
  • etc.

Pick ups & drop offs anywhere on private tours

As mentioned in the pick up section, on a private tour we can pick up from anywhere and drop off anywhere and offer staggered free pick ups and drop offs, which are dependent on the distance from our Alloa home base near Stirling. Our home base is 30 miles from Edinburgh, Glasgow & Perth in the heart of the Scottish Central belt:

  •  for short & half day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 15 miles of our Alloa home base (which includes Stirling, Falkirk, Dunfermline & Gleneagles)
  •  for 1 day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 35 miles of our Alloa home base (which additionally includes Edinburgh, Glasgow & Perth)
  •  for 2, 3 & 4 day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 50 miles of our Alloa home base (which additionally includes Dundee, St. Andrews & the entire Scottish Central belt)
  • for 5, 6 & 7 day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 75 miles of our Alloa home base

Additionally as stated we sometimes offer free pick ups for places on the route to our destination, even though they might exceed the free mileage zone, so for example for a West Coast tour and we need to head westbound anyway for the tour, we could be pick up at locations west free of charge, depending on the exact route and distances involved.

(During a few weeks every year we are also Shetland, Orkney, Hebridean Isles or regionally based

and the free pick ups will then be based from that local area, such as on the Shetland, Orkney or on some of the Hebridean Isles for example.)


Accommodation on multi-day tours is your choice

Some of our guests are budget travellers, whereas others are luxurious travellers, while others chose a mid-range 3* hotel.

We are happy to give you tips, links and info about your accommodation options for the towns and villages we are staying overnight, but in the end it is up to you, where you would like to stay, at which hotel or guesthouse and for which price.

However much or however little you wish to spend for your overnight accommodation is your choice.

On a private tour we will pick you up from any accommodation in the morning and in the evening drop you off at any accommodation of your choice for your overnight tour accommodation and and chosen location.

 

Free time & activities
Tour pick up/start, drop off/end & joining options near to & along our tour route

Pick up & drop off from anywhere in the Scottish Central belt (between Stirling/Perth/St. Andrews/Dundee & the Edinburgh, Greater Glasgow & Loch Lomond & the Trossachs area)


Pick up / drop off points for private small group 1 Day Tours, from anywhere as it is your own private tour:

  • within the Stirling/Uni area
  • within the Forth Valley area
  • from within the Scottish Central belt, Edinburgh & Glasgow included

+

  • from places listed along or nearby the route and the stops of this particular 1 Day Tour
Tour booking

To enquire about this tour or book, please email contact@unicorntours.co.uk


This tour is for a private small group of up to 8 people.

We will personalise & tailor make this flexible tour itinerary to suit your preferences, interests & requirements.

This tour is available on any green calendar day

except during our Scottish Islands based tour days

for a few weeks each year.


Once you wish to book, we send you an invoice with a payment link and also allowing for a UK & international bank transfer.

Once you have paid, we send you your tour confirmation and will mark this day as “red” unavailable/booked out in our tours availability calendar


We can pick up from anywhere, but for a 1 day tour the free pick up zone is within 35 miles of our Alloa home base (which includes does Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and anywhere in between, such Stirling, Falkirk, Dunfermline & Gleneagles)

Pick ups & drop offs anywhere on private tours

As mentioned in the pick up section, on a private tour we can pick up from anywhere and drop off anywhere and offer staggered free pick ups and drop offs, which are dependent on the distance from our Alloa home base near Stirling. Our home base is 30 miles from Edinburgh, Glasgow & Perth in the heart of the Scottish Central belt:

  •  for short & half day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 15 miles of our Alloa home base (which includes Stirling, Falkirk, Dunfermline & Gleneagles)
  •  for 1 day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 35 miles of our Alloa home base (which additionally includes Edinburgh, Glasgow & Perth)
  •  for 2, 3 & 4 day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 50 miles of our Alloa home base (which additionally includes Dundee, St. Andrews & the entire Scottish Central belt)
  • for 5, 6 & 7 day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 75 miles of our Alloa home base

Additionally as stated we sometimes offer free pick ups for places on the route to our destination, even though they might exceed the free mileage zone, so for example for a West Coast tour and we need to head westbound anyway for the tour, we could be pick up at locations west free of charge, depending on the exact route and distances involved.

(During a few weeks every year we are also Shetland, Orkney, Hebridean Isles or regionally based

and the free pick ups will then be based from that local area, such as on the Shetland, Orkney or on some of the Hebridean Isles for example.)

1D#9 – Westcoast, spectacular Argyll, Oban & the Kilmartin standing stone circles – 1 day tour

Westcoast, spectacular Argyll, Oban & Kilmartin standing stones

1 day tour to explore

for your private, flexible tailor-made small group sample itinerary 1D#9


Westcoast, spectacular Argyll, Oban & Kilmartin standing stones  – 1 day to explore

As this is your own private small group tour, the itinerary is very flexible and along the way, we can add additional nearby stops and depending on the weather it is also possible to swap the route of day 1 and day 2 around. So the route for day 1 and day 2 is a sample itinerary and can be amended if you prefer.

Outbound journey

via (photostop) LussLoch Lomond

Beginning our journey through stunning Argyll

Via Arrochar and the Arrochar Alps

Past Rest and be thankful


possible Cowal side trip # 1

from just after Rest & be thankful to Tarbert

via the Cowal peninsula

with a photostop at the Kyle of Bute

Tighnabruaich

taking the short scenic Portavadie ferry to Tarbert ferry


Inveraray

on request optional visit of Inveraray castle

(the home of the Duke of Argyll & chief of Clan Campbell)


Side trip # 2

to include the Kilmartin Standing stone circle from Inveraray south to Oban:

Lochgilphead

Crinan canal

past Dunadd

the capital of the ancient kingdom of Dál Riata

Kilmartin

Kilmartin glen standing stone circles

past Canasserie castle

Picturesque Ardfern

and Craobh Haven

Arduaine subtropical gardens


Possible loop # 2A & # 2 B

Eastern loop # 2A

south of Lochgilphead/Tarbert including stunning views of Arran & the Kintyre peninsula:

Tarbert / Loch Fyne

Dramatic hilltop views of the Isle of ArranKintyre

Skipness Castle & beach

Western loop # 2B

south of Lochgilphead/Tarbert around the wild Kilberry peninsula with views of Jura, Islay, Gigha & sometimes as far as Northern Ireland:

& off the beaten track loop around the remote Kilberry peninsula with a tidal beach & seals (tide dependent), views of Islay, Jura, Gigha and on a clear day of the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland and Sculptured Kilberry stones


Possible side trip # 2C

from the Crinan canal to include:

Knapdale

Tayvallich


Optional side trip # 2D

between Arduaine subtroprical gardens and Oban across the Bridge over the Atlantic

The bridge “over the Atlantic” to the Isle of Seil – Argyll – Scottish Westcoast

to the three slate islands:

Seil

Luing

Hebrides – Luing (Inner Hebrides by ferry from the Isle of Seil – which has “the Bridge over the Atlantic” to the Argyll coast south of Oban) – Unicorn Tours

&

Easdale

with stunning views of the cliffs of Southern Mull


To our our main tour destination

the amazing, happening, vibrant and always stunningly beautiful Oban

– main Caledonian MacBrayne ferryport

& gateway to many of the Western Isles

(please keep in mind, this is your own private, small group personalised tour and at Unicorn Highlands & Islands tours we try to tailor your tour to your preferences, hobbies and interests and according to the weather – to get the balance right – more scenic side trips # 1, 2, 2A, 2B & 2C will mean less time in Oban, but as every group and tour guest is unique and individual, we wish to give these different options, so as to be able to maximise everyone’s experience of this tour)

 

With stunning views of the Isle of Kerrara

Mull

and Oban bay,

especially from McCaig’s Tower

 

If you are looking for a beautiful colourful harbour town, will all amenities, incl. seafood restaurants and more local things to do and Oban does have it all

Pulpit hill

There are various dramatic walks & viewpoints in and around Oban, including at Gallanach beach

 


Sidetrip # 3:

Depending on timings there might be an option of a scenic non-landing Mull round ferry trip.

Return journey

After we leave Oban we have get a nice view of Dunstaffnage marina and castle.

Dunstaffnage castle

From Connel bridge – tide-dependent – we can view the rapids of the

Falls of Lora


After Connel bridge, there is another scenic side trip option # 4:


Along the road coastal road north, there are various short side trips options # 5:

Tralee beach

Loch Creran

Appin
Isle of Lismore


From the main road, we will catch a brief glimpse of

Castle Stalker


The Fort William/Glen Nevis area is part of most of our other Highland tours, but if the small private group so requests, that would be another potential side trip # 6:

Fort William/Glen Nevis area
http://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/fort-william-p236531
Town with all facilities, if the weather is nice and the views are clear, we also have the option to drive into stunning Glen Nevis (sheer cliffs, waterfalls, etc.) for a great walk..


Glencoe/Ballachulish/Kinlochleven area

Glencoe

Rannoch Moor

and through the Trossachs nationalpark

and Breadalbane

back to the Lowlands, Central Scotland, Stirling, Glasgow, Edinburgh, etc. for your drop off at the end of the tour.

 

Depending on the weather, we might discuss and decide to reverse the route and first drive the “return route” and then the “outbound route” on the way back  (so as to maximise sunshine and minimise rain).
Also on very rainy days, we may have less outdoor sightseeing and if the group so wishes, we may visit a whisky distillery, castle, museum, etc. indoors