Tour summary & highlights
West Coast
2 day tour to explore
for your private, flexible tailor-made small group sample itinerary 2D#1
We would be delighted to run this tour as a private, small group tour (up to 8 people)
West Coast – 2 days to explore
There are various scenic routes with possibly side trips and detours to Oban, but roughly speaking a northwesterly route and a southwesterly route to Oban and depending on the weather could keep the option open as to on which day we take which route.
On our 8 seater we love to go off the beaten track, where large coaches don’t/can’t go.
Assuming we are taking the southwesterly route on day 1 and the northwesterly route on day 2 (this itinerary could also be run in reverse), this is our sample, flexible our itinerary:
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.
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Day 1 Our private small group tours can start (pick ups) and finish (drop offs) from anywhere – depending where you live/wish to be picked up from, this will then alter the route and stopover options. This sample itinerary is based on a group from Stirling. 7.30 am start from Stirling
or
Please note, depending on the group’s preferences & the weather, we will choose one of those routes and we will not be able to visit all of these places. |
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Oban accommodation Accommodation optionsOban hostels It also offers “2 person private double rooms “, which is as good as having a private room in a Bed and Breakfast, Bed & Breakfasts
Nearby
Also Booking.com/Oban Visit Scotland/Accommodation in Oban Subject to availability possible overnight (hostel, bed & breakfast, hotel, camping) options do all exist in the area, roughly half way into our 2 day tour. As there are too many possible places to stay at, we can check room availability for your preferred option at the time of your enquiry/booking.
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| Day 2
Different return route various options, subject to the group’s preferences and the weather: Either – Coastal route towards Glencoe (optional Glenfinnan/Fort Wiliam area visit)/ returning via Rannoch Moor & the Trossachs Across the Falls of Lora – possible Benderloch beach and Port Appin stop – Castle Stalker – (if you have not yet visited Glenfinnan with the West Highland Jacobite/Harry Potter railway viaduct and the Bonnie Prince Charles monument overlooking Glen Shiel – I suggest this loop – crossing the stunning bridge from South to North Ballachulish – catch the Corran ferry (free for foot passengers )– drive the westerly road on the Sunart side of Loch Linnhe (on a clear day with some great views over to the Ben Nevis massif) – Glenfinnan – return via Neptun’s staircase/Caledonian canal and a great viewpoint stop overlooking Inverlochy castle, the whole Ben Nevis massif, valley, sealochs plus the Harry Potter train depot – Fort William – stunning Glencoe – Rannoch Moor – the Trossachs nationalpark Or – Longer, but wild, remote & spectacular Ardnamurchn, Moidart, Sunnart & Morvern route with the quickest return route via Glencoe & the Trossachs We take the Corran ferry, depending on a group decision it is also possible to spend the morning to explore the best of Morven, Moidart and Sunart – (also similar to our 2 day tours 2D#4, 2D#13 or 2D#16) including stunning places such as Acharacle, Kentra, Ardtoe beach, Tioram castle and if it is a fine day we would could even detour from Locheilort to drive and stop along the best beach road ever between Arisaig and Morar, taking in views of Skye, Rum, Eigg, Canna and Muck! |
Depending on your preferences and interests, the main places that have been agreed and discussed, the overall time we have left after our stops (especially in the winter months with shorter daylight hours), the places listed above are just a few among other nearby options, that we might be travelling through and see, stopping at and/or visiting along the way as on each of our friendly, flexible and personalised tours we maximise and offer you the best tour experience given the conditions on the day (for example if it is pouring down with rain on one side of a mountain range, we believe in offering you the alternative sunny route on the other side of the mountains, etc.)
Subject to the weather, we might discuss and decider to reverse the route and first drive the day 2 and then day 1 route (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.
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
2 day tour prices – Unicorn Tours
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 facebook 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 :
- 3D#5 – Wild, magical Mull & spiritual Iona – a haven of peace, tranquility & golden beaches – via Oban & spectacular ferry & coastal journey – 3 day tour
- 2D#4 – Westcoast experience – spectacular Argyll, Oban & Kilmartin standing stones – 2 day tours
- 2D#7 – The edge of heaven – iconic Iona via the Isle of Mull & Oban – 2 day tour
- 2D#12 – West Highlands – Argyll coast, Oban, Great Glen & Loch Ness – 2 day tour
- 2D#16 – Isle of Mull, Oban & the Argyll coast – 2 day tour
- 1D#3 – Spectacular journey to the Westcoast & Oban – 1 day tour
- 1D#9 – Westcoast, spectacular Argyll, Oban & the Kilmartin standing stone circles – 1 day tour
- 1D#28 – The Cowal peninsula – Argyll’s secret coast & the Clyde sealochs – 1 day tour
- 1D65/Hebrides/from Oban# 65 – to Mull (returning back to Oban by the end of the day) – Isle of Mull 1 day island tour from Oban – 1 day tour
- 1D#72 – 1D72/Hebrides/ from Oban#72 – to Lunga/puffins & Staffa/Fingal’s cave – (returning back to Oban by the end of the day) – Lunga/Treshnish Isles’ puffins & Staffa (Fingal’s cave) wildlife (landing) 1 (or 1/2) day excursion, including the Isle of Mull from Oban – 1 day tour
- 1D78/from Oban#78 – to Coll (returning back to Oban by the end of the day) – Coll 1 day tour from Oban – 1 day tour
- 1D79/from Oban#79 – to Tiree (returning back to Oban by the end of the day) – Tiree 1 day tour from Oban – 1 day tour
- 1D#92 – Off the beaten track Argyll – Kilmory, Kilberry & Knapdale peninsulas – 1 day add on tour – for our Oban, Argyll & Kintyre West Coast region multi-day tours
- SD37/Hebrides/addon tour & when based from Oban# 37 – to Lismore (ending the short day tour back in Oban & the Argyll coast) – Isle of Lismore from Oban – short day tour
- SD38/Hebrides/addon tour or based from Oban# 38 – to Kerrara (ending the short day tour back in Oban & along the Argyll coast) – Isle of Kerrara short day add on walk via/from the Oban/Gallanach ferry – short day tour
- SD39/Hebrides/addon tour or when based from Oban# 39 – to Seil (Luing & Easdale) – ending the short day tour back in Oban & along the Argyll coast – Isle of Seil (via the bridge over the Atlantic) short day tour (with the option to visit Luing and Easdale as well) from the Westcoast near Oban – short day tour
(2)
Westcoast journey on 07th March 2023
Video highlights of Westcoast tour on 25th February 2023
Off the beaten track Westcoast – Southern Argyll & its peninsulas
Tour options
Information about tour options for a private tour 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 discuss with you and 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
Private 2 day tour pick ups & drop offs anywhere south of Inverness & Aberdeen throughout Scotland, incl. the Inner Hebrides
Pick up / drop off points for private small group 2 Days 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 within the Dundee, St. Andrews & Perth area
+
- from places listed along or nearby the route and the stops of this particular 2 Days Tour
Tour booking
To enquire about this tour or to book please email contact@unicorntours.co.uk
As this will be your very own tailormade, personalised, flexible private small group tour, we will discuss:
- Your preferred travel dates
- Your preferred route
- Based on your preferred route, we will give a choice of overnight locations to stay
- Once you have chosen your preferred overnight location, we would like to know about your preferred type of accommodation, any special requests or a price range and your preferred roomtypes
- Based on your choice, for example hotel with * ** *** **** ***** star rating, guesthouse/B&B, self-catering or budget hostel accommodation, etc. for each overnight location, we can then give you suggestions and also check the room availability for each night
Accommodation
- Unicorn Tours is happy to assist you with your questions regarding your accommodation & accommodation booking
- The general rule is that you should then book your accommodation yourself, let us know where you are staying during which night, as it is there that we will drop you off at the end of the tour day and pick you up on the beginning of the next tour day
- The choice of your accommodation, how much or how little you wish to spend for your overnight accommodation is unconnected and separate from your tour with Unicorn Tours throughout the daytime – for the same day and tour, we have picked up guests from 5* hotels and guests from budget hostels, but the tour experience during the daytime with Unicorn Tours remains the same.
- When ferries or any other additional costs are involved, we also want to make sure, you are happy with those
Once the tour details, including
- tour itinerary & special requests
- pick up/drop off locations & timings
- tour duration, passenger numbers and price
- etc.
- have been discussed and agreed
- and you are happy to proceed with the booking
- we send you an invoice which allows for payment by Paypal / card or by BACS bank transfer
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 2 day tour the free pick up zone is within 50 miles from our Alloa home base (which includes does Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Dundee, St. Andrews & places throughout the entire Scottish Central belt 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.)
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email contact@unicorntours.co.uk to discuss further
2D#1 – Coastal scenery at its best in the West – 2 day tour
West Coast
2 day tour to explore
for your private, flexible tailor-made small group sample itinerary 2D#1
West Coast – 2 days to explore
There are various scenic routes with possibly side trips and detours to Oban, but roughly speaking a northwesterly route and a southwesterly route to Oban and depending on the weather could keep the option open as to on which day we take which route.
On our 8 seater we love to go off the beaten track, where large coaches don’t/can’t go.
Assuming we are taking the southwesterly route on day 1 and the northwesterly route on day 2 (this itinerary could also be run in reverse), this is our sample, flexible our itinerary:
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.
|
Day 1 Our private small group tours can start (pick ups) and finish (drop offs) from anywhere – depending where you live/wish to be picked up from, this will then alter the route and stopover options. This sample itinerary is based on a group from Stirling. 7.30 am start from Stirling
or
Please note, depending on the group’s preferences & the weather, we will choose one of those routes and we will not be able to visit all of these places. |
|
Oban accommodation Accommodation optionsOban hostels It also offers “2 person private double rooms “, which is as good as having a private room in a Bed and Breakfast, etc. Bed & Breakfasts
Nearby
Also Subject to availability possible overnight (hostel, bed & breakfast, hotel, camping) options do all exist in the area, roughly half way into our 2 day tour. As there are too many possible places to stay at, we can check room availability for your preferred option at the time of your enquiry/booking.
|
| Day 2
Different return route various options, subject to the group’s preferences and the weather: Either – Coastal route towards Glencoe (optional Glenfinnan/Fort Wiliam area visit)/ returning via Rannoch Moor & the Trossachs Across the Falls of Lora – possible Benderloch beach and Port Appin stop – Castle Stalker – (if you have not yet visited Glenfinnan with the West Highland Jacobite/Harry Potter railway viaduct and the Bonnie Prince Charles monument overlooking Glen Shiel – I suggest this loop – crossing the stunning bridge from South to North Ballachulish – catch the Corran ferry (free for foot passengers )– drive the westerly road on the Sunart side of Loch Linnhe (on a clear day with some great views over to the Ben Nevis massif) – Glenfinnan – return via Neptun’s staircase/Caledonian canal and a great viewpoint stop overlooking Inverlochy castle, the whole Ben Nevis massif, valley, sealochs plus the Harry Potter train depot – Fort William – stunning Glencoe – Rannoch Moor – the Trossachs nationalpark Or – Longer, but wild, remote & spectacular Ardnamurchn, Moidart, Sunnart & Morvern route with the quickest return route via Glencoe & the Trossachs We take the Corran ferry, depending on a group decision it is also possible to spend the morning to explore the best of Morven, Moidart and Sunart – (also similar to our 2 day tours 2D#4, 2D#13 or 2D#16) including stunning places such as Acharacle, Kentra, Ardtoe beach, Tioram castle and if it is a fine day we would could even detour from Locheilort to drive and stop along the best beach road ever between Arisaig and Morar, taking in views of Skye, Rum, Eigg, Canna and Muck! |
Depending on your preferences and interests, the main places that have been agreed and discussed, the overall time we have left after our stops (especially in the winter months with shorter daylight hours), the places listed above are just a few among other nearby options, that we might be travelling through and see, stopping at and/or visiting along the way as on each of our friendly, flexible and personalised tours we maximise and offer you the best tour experience given the conditions on the day (for example if it is pouring down with rain on one side of a mountain range, we believe in offering you the alternative sunny route on the other side of the mountains, etc.)
Subject to the weather, we might discuss and decider to reverse the route and first drive the day 2 and then day 1 route (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.





