Coast, sea Highlands & Islands –
Unicorn Tours throughout Scotland

Stunning Scottish Westcoast explorer

3 days

This is a private & personalised 3 day tour with pick up from Edinburgh or anywhere in Scotland for a group of up to 8 & AVAILABLE on any 3 consecutive green* calendar days --- FREE 3 DAYS TOUR 50 MILES PICK UP ZONE includes Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, St. Andrews, Perth & everywhere along the Fife Coast & in the Loch Lomond & Trossachs nationalpark & most of the Scottish Central Belt within 50 miles of our Alloa home base in the heart of the Scottish Central Belt --- FREE ALONG THE WAY PICK UP LOCATIONS free (excess mileage does not apply) pick ups from anywhere along the route from our homebase (Alloa, near Stirling) towards your tour destination we pass along anyway = Free additional pick ups for this private tour also in the Tyndrum, Inveraray, Lochgilphead, Oban, Glencoe & Fort William area --- EXCESS MILEAGE PAYABLE PICK UPS the additional pick up mileage supplement applies outwith & beyond the 50 miles free pick up zone more than 50 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

3D#3

Tour summary & highlights

3D#3 – Stunning Scottish Westcoast explorer – 3 day tour

3 days+ tour to explore & experience

for your private, flexible tailor-made small group sample itinerary 3D#3

Explore & experience the dramatic Westcoast & stunning Western Highlands

Basic route:
– Pick up from anywhere in the Scottish Central Belt
– travel via West Highlands to the Westcoast
– travel along the scenic Westcoast
– return back through the Western Highlands via a different route

Price for a 3 day tour

3 day tour prices – Unicorn Tours

(During peak season, based on a group of 8, price per person starts from £121 / standard season, based on a group of 8, price per person starts from £101 for 3 days for the tour)

plus

accommodation (option of low budget hostel to 5* hotel), food, entrance fees & your personal expenses

+

on some Westcoast tours

we offer the optional short ferry journeys

(scenic journeys, time-saving shortcuts via some peninsulas such as the Corran ferry or for some short small off-shore island visits add- ons, for example Kerrara, Lismore or Luing, in which case, Unicorn Tours pays the vehicle rate, you pay the very small fee inexpensive foot passenger fare)


  • Departures/pick ups & drop offs from anywhere in the Scottish Central Belt
  • Stops and route along the way on day 1 and day 3 through the Western Highlands, but also along the Westcoast are flexible and personalised depending on your preferences, interests & the weather

 


We would be delighted to run this tour as a private, small group tour  (up to 8 people) 


 

The best of the Westcoast & western Highlands

3 days to explore & experience

 

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 3 around. So the route each day is a sample itinerary and can be amended if you prefer.

 

Day 1

· Pick up from your home / any location of your choice, including Stirling

· Scenic drive through the Trossachs and Loch Lomond nationalpark (various route options, exact route and stops could be determined later subject to group’s preferences and weather conditions on the day) – Rannoch Moor

– Glencoe photo stop

Fort William lunch – (15 minute stop, short walk up to viewpoint above all of the Fort William area, Ben Nevis, Glen Nevis, Loch Eil, Inverlochy Castle, River Lochy and the start of the “Harry Potter” West Highland steam trainline) – (possible drive into Glen Nevis with amazing 1 hour walk at the end of the valley with high cliff faces, waterfalls, stunning scenery).

Drive via Glenfinnan (stop at the Bonnie Prince Charles’ statue overlooking Loch Shiel and the West Higland/Harry Potter steam train viaduct plus viewpoint and nature walk)

to the golden sands between Arisaig and Morar overlooking the small isle of Eigg, Canna, Muck, Rhum and Skye.

Please note option to take the ferry to Mallaig to Armadale/Skye or to the small isle of Rum, Muck, Eigg or Canna exists

or

spend time on the wild, spectacular and remote peninsulas of Ardnamurchan, Moidart, Sunart, Morvern and Ardgour – get away from it all – Ardnamurchan point is the western most point of the Scottish mainland and also from Sanna bay with its golden beaches has great views across the seas all the way to Skye, you can visit Castle Tioram and beautiful sealochs, bens, lochs and glens and lovely villages such as Kentra, Acharacle, Strontian, Kilchoan or Lochaline

or

if day 1 and day 3 could be swapped and on day 2 or day  you wish to also include the Kintyre peninsula head down south along Loch Linnhe, Castle Stalker and Port Appin towards Oban – so much to do and see, depending on your preferences!

1st night

1st overnight options

(a)    You choose the type / price-category of your accommodation

For every location/area our guests have the choice to either stay at a hotel, B&B or hostel, it is up to you how much you wish to spend for the night and it makes no difference to the tour, whether we pick you up from an upmarket or budget place

(b)   You choose the location of your accommodation

  • Stay in the Mallaig/Morar/Arisaig/Road to the Isle area
  • Ardnamurchan/Moidart/Sunart/Morven/Ardgour area
  • Oban area

Oban area accommodation

Day 2

· Drive south along the coastal route through Moidart and Sunnart (and possibly Morven and Ardnamurchan)
· Either return back to mainland via the 5 minute Corran ferry and head south past Castle Stalker, Port Appin, the Lynn of Lorn and/or along parts of Loch Etive, crossing the falls of Lora over the bridge to Oban

– the capital of the Westcoast, main ferry port and a stunning location overlooking the Isle of Kerrara, Lismore & over to Mull.

 

(various beaches, stretches of coastlines, islands, incuding crossing over the bridge over the Atlantic over the isle to Seil, Eisdale, Luing

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

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

 Kerrara and others subject to weather and preferences)
· Depending on the overnight location, for example if near to or in Oban – option to take ferry to the Isle of Lismore or Kerrara or stop at Loch Etive

 

or scenic Mull return ferry, etc.

Argyll & the Isles – Visit Scotland video
(Stay the night in a locally available hostel)

2nd night

2nd overnight options

(a)    You choose the type / price-category of your accommodation

For every location/area our guests have the choice to either stay at a hotel, B&B or hostel, it is up to you how much you wish to spend for the night and it makes no difference to the tour, whether we pick you up from an upmarket or budget place

(b)   You choose the location of your accommodation

  • Stay in the Oban, Argyll, Lochgilphead, Crinan, Tayvallich/Kilmory, Kilberry or Tarbert/Kintyre area

Oban area accommodation

  • (as the route can be reversed, you could also swap the 1st and 2nd night around)
Day 3

· Drive south along the Argyll coast, some really stunning “away from it all hidden gems, corners, peninsulars and stretches of wild coastline with great views”, including Seil/Easdale/Luing,

Craobh Haven

 

, Ardfern peninsula, pre-historic Kilmartin Glen with standing stones), Crinan canal and harbour,

Tayvallich/Loch Sween peninsula

· At Tarbert we have the option to:

(1) drive along the wild and remote (seals almost guaranteed) Kilberry peninsula, remote beaches, great views & the slabstones

(2) Scenic detour to Skipness castle with views across to the Isle of Arran and along the Kintyre peninsula

(3) Depending on the group’s preferences also optional side trip around the stunning Kintyre peninsula

ciruclar including Carradale, Daavar island, Campbeltown, Southend/Mull of Kintyre, the golden beaches & sand-dunes of Machrihanish bay and the option to visit Gigha

,(4) either returning inland – a Lochgilphead, Inveraray,

via Loch Long/Rest and be thankful/Arrochar/Loch Lomond and some great stops back on scenic routes back to the drop off point of your choice, incl. Stirling

(5) or take the ferry via the Cowal peninsula with a scenic drive along the Kyle of Bute (views of the Isle of Bute, the isle of Arrran and more) and from there either via Loch Long/Rest and be thankful/Arrochar/Loch Lomond and some great stops back to Stirling or shortcutting via the Dunoon – Gourock ferry with various possible scenic routes back to Stirling (avoiding Glasgow)
·

* Please note optional whisky or castle distillery visit, walk, free time subject to route choice on any of these days


This tour is similar to our Westcoast 2 day tours plus more time, more stops and sidetrips and additional and alternative options to more remote, scenic and wild off the beaten track places, hidden secrets gems and to the best scenery Scotland has to offer and additionally to places along small roads where large tour coaches can’t get to.


 

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 availability possible overnight (hostel, bed & breakfast, hotel, camping) options do all exist for your 3 days+ 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.

3 days and longer tours, daily departures, incl. during mid-semester, Christmas, New Year, subject to Unicorn Tours being available.

 

3 days+ Highlands & Islands adventure tours info
(everyone welcome – departs from Stirling Uni with other local pick ups)

2 days Highlands & Islands adventure tours info
(everyone welcome – departs from Stirling Uni with other pick ups possible)

1 day Highlands & islands adventure tours info
(everyone welcome – departs from Stirling Uni with other pick ups possible)

Short one day tours info
(2/3 day = 7 hours, 1/2 day = 5 hours, 1/3 day = 3.5 hours) Highlands tours info
(everyone welcome – departs from Stirling Uni with other pick ups possible)

What to bring?

 

Tour itinerary

Superb and stunning coastal scenery, cliffs, beaches, walks & wildlife

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

3 days+ tours – 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)

 


There are many places to stay along the Westcoast

Tour links
  • (1) A few tour facebook images
  • (2) Some of our private tour options in the Mull, Iona, Ardnamurchan & the West Highland peninsulas region


(1)

Westcoast journey on 07th March 2023

Video highlights of Westcoast tour on 25th February 2023

Off the beaten track Westcoast – Southern Argyll & its peninsulas



(2)

Some of our private tour options

in the Mull, Iona, Ardnamurchan & the West Highland peninsulas region



Tarbert / Kintyre – Coast, sea Highlands & Islands – Unicorn Tours throughout Scotland

Tarbert parish church / Kintyre – Coast, sea Highlands & Islands – Unicorn Tours throughout Scotland

Tour options

 


As there is so much to do and see and so many awesome places, we should really have a week long tour here,

but depending on the time of the year, the week day and the Calmac ferry timetable from Mallaig , it is also possible to have a day out on the Small Isles, especially during the summer, Saturday time table, which usually allows for a day on the Isle of Canna:

Canna walks, for example from the pier to Sanday or Tarbert


 


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 3 day tour pick ups & drop offs anywhere throughout Scotland


Pick up / drop off points for private small group 3 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 beyond on request

+

  • from places listed along or nearby the route and the stops of this particular 3 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

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 3 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

 

 

 

 

 

3D#3 – Stunning Scottish Westcoast explorer – 3 day tour


3D#3 – Stunning Scottish Westcoast explorer – 3 day tour

3 days+ tour to explore & experience

for your private, flexible tailor-made small group sample itinerary 3D#3

Explore & experience the dramatic Westcoast & stunning Western Highlands

Basic route:
– Pick up from anywhere in the Scottish Central Belt
– travel via West Highlands to the Westcoast
– travel along the scenic Westcoast
– return back through the Western Highlands via a different route

Price for a 3 day tour

3 day tour prices – Unicorn Tours

(During peak season, based on a group of 8, price per person starts from £121 / standard season, based on a group of 8, price per person starts from £101 for 3 days for the tour)

plus

accommodation (option of low budget hostel to 5* hotel), food, entrance fees & your personal expenses

+

on some Westcoast tours

we offer the optional short ferry journeys

(scenic journeys, time-saving shortcuts via some peninsulas such as the Corran ferry or for some short small off-shore island visits add- ons, for example Kerrara, Lismore or Luing, in which case, Unicorn Tours pays the vehicle rate, you pay the very small fee inexpensive foot passenger fare)


  • Departures/pick ups & drop offs from anywhere in the Scottish Central Belt
  • Stops and route along the way on day 1 and day 3 through the Western Highlands, but also along the Westcoast are flexible and personalised depending on your preferences, interests & the weather

 


 

The best of the Westcoast & western Highlands

3 days to explore & experience

 

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 3 around. So the route each day is a sample itinerary and can be amended if you prefer.

 

Day 1

· Pick up from your home / any location of your choice, including Stirling

· Scenic drive through the Trossachs and Loch Lomond nationalpark (various route options, exact route and stops could be determined later subject to group’s preferences and weather conditions on the day) – Rannoch Moor

– Glencoe photo stop

Fort William lunch – (15 minute stop, short walk up to viewpoint above all of the Fort William area, Ben Nevis, Glen Nevis, Loch Eil, Inverlochy Castle, River Lochy and the start of the “Harry Potter” West Highland steam trainline) – (possible drive into Glen Nevis with amazing 1 hour walk at the end of the valley with high cliff faces, waterfalls, stunning scenery).

Drive via Glenfinnan (stop at the Bonnie Prince Charles’ statue overlooking Loch Shiel and the West Higland/Harry Potter steam train viaduct plus viewpoint and nature walk)

to the golden sands between Arisaig and Morar overlooking the small isle of Eigg, Canna, Muck, Rhum and Skye.

Please note option to take the ferry to Mallaig to Armadale/Skye or to the small isle of Rum, Muck, Eigg or Canna exists

or

spend time on the wild, spectacular and remote peninsulas of Ardnamurchan, Moidart, Sunart, Morvern and Ardgour – get away from it all – Ardnamurchan point is the western most point of the Scottish mainland and also from Sanna bay with its golden beaches has great views across the seas all the way to Skye, you can visit Castle Tioram and beautiful sealochs, bens, lochs and glens and lovely villages such as Kentra, Acharacle, Strontian, Kilchoan or Lochaline

or

if day 1 and day 3 could be swapped and on day 2 or day  you wish to also include the Kintyre peninsula head down south along Loch Linnhe, Castle Stalker and Port Appin towards Oban – so much to do and see, depending on your preferences!

1st night

1st overnight options

(a)    You choose the type / price-category of your accommodation

For every location/area our guests have the choice to either stay at a hotel, B&B or hostel, it is up to you how much you wish to spend for the night and it makes no difference to the tour, whether we pick you up from an upmarket or budget place

(b)   You choose the location of your accommodation

  • Stay in the Mallaig/Morar/Arisaig/Road to the Isle area
  • Ardnamurchan/Moidart/Sunart/Morven/Ardgour area
  • Oban area

Oban area accommodation

Day 2

· Drive south along the coastal route through Moidart and Sunnart (and possibly Morven and Ardnamurchan)
· Either return back to mainland via the 5 minute Corran ferry and head south past Castle Stalker, Port Appin, the Lynn of Lorn and/or along parts of Loch Etive, crossing the falls of Lora over the bridge to Oban

– the capital of the Westcoast, main ferry port and a stunning location overlooking the Isle of Kerrara, Lismore & over to Mull.

 

(various beaches, stretches of coastlines, islands, incuding crossing over the bridge over the Atlantic over the isle to Seil, Eisdale, Luing

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

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

 Kerrara and others subject to weather and preferences)
· Depending on the overnight location, for example if near to or in Oban – option to take ferry to the Isle of Lismore or Kerrara or stop at Loch Etive

 

or scenic Mull return ferry, etc.

Argyll & the Isles – Visit Scotland video
(Stay the night in a locally available hostel)

2nd night

2nd overnight options

(a)    You choose the type / price-category of your accommodation

For every location/area our guests have the choice to either stay at a hotel, B&B or hostel, it is up to you how much you wish to spend for the night and it makes no difference to the tour, whether we pick you up from an upmarket or budget place

(b)   You choose the location of your accommodation

  • Stay in the Oban, Argyll, Lochgilphead, Crinan, Tayvallich/Kilmory, Kilberry or Tarbert/Kintyre area

Oban area accommodation

  • (as the route can be reversed, you could also swap the 1st and 2nd night around)
Day 3

· Drive south along the Argyll coast, some really stunning “away from it all hidden gems, corners, peninsulars and stretches of wild coastline with great views”, including Seil/Easdale/Luing,

Craobh Haven

 

, Ardfern peninsula, pre-historic Kilmartin Glen with standing stones), Crinan canal and harbour,

Tayvallich/Loch Sween peninsula

· At Tarbert we have the option to:

(1) drive along the wild and remote (seals almost guaranteed) Kilberry peninsula, remote beaches, great views & the slabstones

(2) Scenic detour to Skipness castle with views across to the Isle of Arran and along the Kintyre peninsula

(3) Depending on the group’s preferences also optional side trip around the stunning Kintyre peninsula

ciruclar including Carradale, Daavar island, Campbeltown, Southend/Mull of Kintyre, the golden beaches & sand-dunes of Machrihanish bay and the option to visit Gigha

,(4) either returning inland – a Lochgilphead, Inveraray,

via Loch Long/Rest and be thankful/Arrochar/Loch Lomond and some great stops back on scenic routes back to the drop off point of your choice, incl. Stirling

(5) or take the ferry via the Cowal peninsula with a scenic drive along the Kyle of Bute (views of the Isle of Bute, the isle of Arrran and more) and from there either via Loch Long/Rest and be thankful/Arrochar/Loch Lomond and some great stops back to Stirling or shortcutting via the Dunoon – Gourock ferry with various possible scenic routes back to Stirling (avoiding Glasgow)
·

* Please note optional whisky or castle distillery visit, walk, free time subject to route choice on any of these days


This tour is similar to our Westcoast 2 day tours plus more time, more stops and sidetrips and additional and alternative options to more remote, scenic and wild off the beaten track places, hidden secrets gems and to the best scenery Scotland has to offer and additionally to places along small roads where large tour coaches can’t get to.


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 availability possible overnight (hostel, bed & breakfast, hotel, camping) options do all exist for your 3 days+ 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.

3 days+ Highlands & Islands adventure tours info
(everyone welcome – departs from Stirling Uni with other local pick ups)

2 days Highlands & Islands adventure tours info
(everyone welcome – departs from Stirling Uni with other pick ups possible)

1 day Highlands & islands adventure tours info
(everyone welcome – departs from Stirling Uni with other pick ups possible)

Short one day tours info
(2/3 day = 7 hours, 1/2 day = 5 hours, 1/3 day = 3.5 hours) Highlands tours info
(everyone welcome – departs from Stirling Uni with other pick ups possible)

What to bring?