Oban (Erin Henderson)
Begin your journey to Oban from Glasgow, with a few stops along the way. Up first is Luss, a stunning lake town located on Loch Lomond. Enjoy walking around the quaint village, browsing the shops (the General Store is my favorite for gifts and souvenirs), and taking in the views of the Loch. If you’re into cold plunging, wade into the Loch for a dip!
The next stop is Inveraray Castle, a gothic-style castle with extensive grounds completed in the late 1700s. It is the family home of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll. For Downton Abbey fans, the two-hour Christmas special was filmed here in 2012. There are also Highland cows on the castle grounds.
Inveraray Castle (Erin Henderson)
Kilchurn Castle is up next. Of note, if you look this location up on Google, it will say it is closed. Because the castle ruins are collapsing in some areas, you cannot walk into the castle itself (they have a metal fence around it), but you can walk outside. It’s a beautiful short hike to see it. Many people use this location as a camping spot. Bonus: a few highland cows are grazing in the open fields as you approach the ruins.
The last stop before arriving in Oban is Saint Conan’s Kirk, a stunning gothic-style cathedral located along Loch Awe. The church is relatively new and was dedicated in 1930. It is named after St. Conan, the patron saint of Lorne, who was rumored not to be afraid of meeting the Devil face-to-face and would have open conversations with him. During the summer, you can enjoy a cold beverage or ice cream from the Kirk Tea Shop next to the cathedral.
Luss Gift Shop (Erin Henderson)
Finally, you arrive in Oban late in the afternoon. We opted to stay at the Premier Inn, a simple yet clean hotel priced well for prime tourist season. There are also many lovely bed and breakfast options nearby. Oban is a beautiful resort town where many people stay to catch ferries to the Hebrides. We did not do that on this trip, but it is an excellent addition if you choose to do so.
After a day in the car, shake out the cobwebs with a short hike up to McCaig’s Tower for views overlooking Oban. Grab dinner at a local seafood restaurant—we chose The Waterfront Fishhouse Restaurant—and enjoy one last stroll through the town and peruse the local shops as the sun begins to set. If you have room, grab a gelato for dessert while you walk around, then turn in after a great day of exploring!
Kilchurn Castle Scenery (Erin Henderson)
Nearby Oban attractions: Catch a ferry to the Hebrides (Inner or Outer), Oban Distillery, Dunollie Castle
Erin Henderson is a professional freelance photographer and writer whose work has been featured in a variety of publications. She is also a mother of two and a Marine Corps spouse living in Stuttgart, Germany. You can find more of her work at erinhendersonmedia.com or follow her travels on Instagram @erinhendrsn.
