SCOTLAND'S WILD WEST COAST
OBAN AND THE ISLANDS
September 29th - October 4th 2024 (Now Full)
October 20th - 25th 2024
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(5 nights, 4 full walking days and 2 short walking days).
Grade 2 - Easy to Moderate
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Highlights:
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An historic location, perfectly placed to journey by sea and rail.
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Inspiring journeys with stunning views
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A comfortable hotel base with gardens and pool
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A fascinating mix of travel by sea, road, rail, and (of course!) on foot.
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The peace and calm of island life and a contrasting, colourful highland town.
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Great dining choices, especially seafood!
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A busy itinerary but with walks of moderate length to allow plenty of R&R time.
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What's Included:
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Welcome drinks on arrival
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5 nights bed and breakfast
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Dinner on the first and last evenings
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Packed lunch for each full walking day
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Entry to Dunstaffnage Castle
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All journeys by minibus, train and boat to get us to and from our walks
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Hosting and walk guiding by our MLA qualified walk leader
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On evenings 2, 3, and 4 we will book a table for those who wish to join us for dinner but the cost of this is not included in the holiday fee. This is to allow more personal choice on these evenings.
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This is a week of touring the Islands and Highlands of the Scottish west coast by a series of walks and sea journeys that give an unforgettable and varied experience of this wild, unique landscape.
Our walks will include a mix of inland and coastal routes designed to take in the best views and most dramatic locations this area has to offer.
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This trip may also suit the keen train-traveller, as there is an excellent mainline service to Oban. The Alexandra Hotel has a prominent position on the seafront, with attractive sea-facing gardens and an indoor pool.
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Our walks will be at ‘easy to moderate’ level, which means we will cover around 10-14 km on a full walking day, with the occasional stretch of ascent and descent and for the most part on good tracks.
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Short ferry trips give access to Kerrera Island, but the longer trip across the Firth of Lorn to Mull gives excellent views of Lismore Island and the Morvern Peninsula.
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The cost for this holiday in single, en-suite accommodation is £1160 in a standard room and £1220 in a seaview room
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrival in time for welcome drinks and dinner before a stroll down the promenade into Oban harbour.
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DAY 2
We take a ferry to Kerrera Island and walk around the island’s wild landscape to visit its west coast bays, before heading to the south end where a chain of islets reaches into the sea, and the dramatically sited Gylen Castle stands over twin bays close to the rocky Rudbha Seanach promontory.
Returning north, we call in at the Kerrera tea garden before meeting our ferry to begin the short journey back to Oban harbour. Walk time: 11km/ 6 hours including breaks.
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DAY 3
Our route on this day visits the mainland and the hills and forests that lead towards Glen Etive and the higher mountains. The local train takes us a few miles along the line to the start of The Black Lochs walk, famous for its amazing views out to The Isles, and inland to the lofty summits around Glencoe. Returning from our walk, we visit The Falls of Lora, where a tidal race creates dramatic turbulence when the tide is running and the Falls of Lora Hotel offers a relaxing cuppa to enjoy while taking in this spectacle. 10km/ 5 hours
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DAY 4
A long, exciting, varied and memorable day! We take the Isle of Mull ferry from Oban harbour and a connecting transfer to reach the colourful fishing harbour of Tobermory. We walk to the eponymous lighthouse on tracks that give expansive views across to the craggy coastline of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, then return to Tobermory for a short break before heading back to Oban. Walk distance: 10km/ 4 hours
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DAY 5
Taking a local transfer to access the tracks north of Oban, we visit Dunstaffnage Castle, built in the early 1200’s by the grandson of Somerled, Lord of The Isles. Over the centuries, this has been the scene of many a bloody battle, and the contested seat of numerous figures of power. Its dramatic position almost matches its impressive history, with its headland and beach giving fine views across the Firth. Our walk takes us from the castle, through the beautiful Ganavan Bay before reaching the outskirts of Oban once more. 7 km/ 5 hours including castle visit.
There is time, then, to see the sights of Oban or to end the afternoon with a local walk up to the famous McCaig’s Tower, where a panoramic viewpoint gives tremendous views of town, sea and mountains.
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DAY 6
If time allows before your journey, join us for a final stroll down the prom and into the harbour before your departure.
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ACCOMMODATION
We have chosen as a base the Alexandra Hotel in Oban. Accommodation is in single occupancy, en-suite rooms and meals are provide in the residents' dining room. The hotel has a welcoming, spacious lounge bar and attractive sea-facing gardens in which to sit and soak up the views and/or a G&T. It also boasts an indoor, heated pool where you can relax after a day's hiking.
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Hotel postcode: PA34 5AA
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To reach Oban by public transport, take the train directly to Oban from Glasgow Queen Street station. The hotel is 600m along the promenade from the station.
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HOW TO BOOK
Just send your booking request using the Booking Enquiry Form on this page and we will be in touch very soon to confirm your place.
You can then secure your place with a deposit payment of £150.
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If you have any questions or if you need more information, don't hesitate to get in touch using the contact details below.
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We really hope you can join us!
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west coast of Scotland sunset
west coast of Scotland sunset