The Route
Oban, Ballachulish, Corran Ferry, Strontian, Ardnamurchan, Kilchoan (ferry) Tobermory (stop over in the Isle of Mull and Iona); Craignure (ferry), Oban
This route assumes coffee at Ballachulish, lunch at Strontian, dinner, bed and breakfast in Tobermory, returning by ferry to Oban for dinner on that second night.
- Take the A85 north from Oban to Connel
- Turn right on to the A828 – signed to Fort William – before the Connel Bridge over Loch Etive. This will swing you up and round to cross the bridge, going north.
- Stay on the A828 to the Ballachulish Bridge over Loch Leven.
- Follow the signs for Fort William – taking you over the bridge, travelling north now on the A82.
- Around 4 miles later, take the sign for the Corran Ferry on the left.
- Take the ferry over to Ardgour, a few minutes journey.
- Turn left, following the signs for Strontian on the A861.
- Stay on the A861 to Salen.
- At Salen, take the B8007 which follows the shores of Loch Sunart.
- Follow the B8007 through Glenborrodale and Kilchoan to Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly point on the British mainland.
- Return to Kilchoan and take the ferry across the sound to Tobermory for a night on the Isle of Mull.
- Next morning take the A849 all the way east from Tobermory, then dropping south to Fionnphort.
- Park your car and take the passenger ferry over to the Isle of Iona to St Columba’s Abbey (a few minutes ferry journey).
- Return on the A849 north to Craignure, taking the ferry back to Oban (1 hour).
This route will take you north along the east side of Loch Linnhe with views into the Nevis range of mountains, crossing a series of sea lochs which weave into the west coast mainland.
It then takes you through the massy, empty and beautiful lands of Morvern and Sunart, along the north shores of Loch Sunart to Ardnamurchan, the most westerly point on the British mainland.
Then, from Kilchoan it takes you over to the unforgettable Tobermory for an overnight. This allow you to drive down through the Isle of Mull to see the Isle of Iona and St Columba’s Abbey, before taking a late afternoon ferry back to Oban.
A few tips
- At appropriate times, there is a whale watching station below the Lighthouse at Ardnamurchan Point. You can go into it, watch for whales yourself and talk to the volunteers who man it. It is run by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust whose office is in Tobermory.
- Look out for an otter family which you may see playing right beside the ferry slipway at Kilchoan.
- Visit the Chocolate Factory at Tobermory – just breathing in the wonderful smell is a calorific indulgence.
- Have a drink in the bright yellow Mishnish pub – as every yachtsman on the west coast will advise you.
- Visit the Ironmongers on the harbourside – but not just for ironmongery. It is also, in the best island traditions, a first class off-licence. If you’re a G&T aficionado, ask them for a bottle of Bilgewater Gin. This is the Scottish yachtsman’s best-kept secret and was indeed first brewed for that fraternity.
- Use ‘Activities and Attraction’ in the side menu and the Argyllonline Directory to help you track down places to stay, places to eat and places you may want to see en route.
