Private Highlands tour from Oban: Glencoe, castles & lochs

See Glencoe's Three Sisters and five castles in a day, moving at your own speed.

A private eight-hour tour from Oban through the Scottish Highlands takes you to medieval castles, mountain viewpoints, and lochs at a pace you set. The route includes Inveraray Castle (with optional interior entry), Kilchurn Castle, St Conan's Kirk, the Three Sisters of Glencoe, and Castle Stalker, plus stops at Loch Awe, Loch Lomond, and the Falls of Falloch. Because it's private, the driver adjusts time at each stop based on where you want to spend longer. Complimentary water, Scottish snacks and a live guide in your language are included. Lunch is your choice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Kilchurn Castle10m
2. Inveraray Castle1h

Highlands castles and scenic viewpoints

• Visit St Conan’s Kirk at Loch Awe
• Photo stop at Kilchurn Castle viewpoint
• Explore Inveraray Castle grounds and town
• Photo stop at Glen Croe viewpoint
• Stop at Loch Lomond viewpoint
• Walk to Falls of Falloch waterfall
• Lunch at The Real Food Cafe
• Photo stop at Highland mountain and loch viewpoint
• Drive through Rannoch Moor
• Visit the 3 sisters of Glencoe viewpoint
• Photo stop at Castle Stalker viewpoint
• Return drive to Oban

The experience

Oban sits at the edge of the Highlands, and this tour uses it as a base to loop through the region's most photographed valleys and castles. You'll start heading south toward Inveraray, stopping first at St Conan's Kirk on the shore of Loch Awe: a 19th-century church architects voted one of Scotland's ten most unique buildings, set in a quiet spot that feels removed from the day. From there, the route takes you to Kilchurn Castle, a 15th-century stronghold built by Clan Campbell on the loch's edge. You'll photograph it from the shore since the castle is closed for conservation. Inveraray Castle itself, still the home of the Duke of Argyll, opens Thursday to Monday (closed November through March), and you can either tour the interior at your own cost or explore the town and grounds instead.

The drive west toward Glencoe passes through Glen Croe at 800 feet, then drops to Loch Lomond, the largest freshwater loch in Scotland, and the Falls of Falloch, a five-minute walk from the car park (the path can be muddy after rain). The Real Food Cafe at this stop serves award-winning fish and chips with gluten-free, vegan and Halal options if you want to eat here rather than elsewhere. From there, Rannoch Moor opens up (the largest bog in the British Isles, used in Harry Potter and other films) before you reach the Three Sisters of Glencoe, the most photographed mountains in Scotland. The guide shares the history of the valley, including the MacDonald Massacre. Your final stop is Castle Stalker, built in 1320 and famous from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It's now a private home, so you'll photograph it from a viewpoint across the loch before the 30-minute drive back to Oban.

Because this is a private tour, the driver works with your group's interests. If you want to spend an extra hour at one castle or skip another stop, the route adjusts. The vehicle is air-conditioned and stocked with complimentary water and Scottish snacks. Charging points are available if you need them. You'll choose your vehicle size at checkout (sedan, minivan, or people carrier) based on your group. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and other languages, and pickup from your Oban accommodation is included.

What’s included

• Complimentary water and Scottish snacks throughout the day.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and additional languages.
• air-conditioned vehicle with charging points.
• pickup from your Oban accommodation.

Options for this experience

4 options

Sedan/SUVUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Punjabi · 09:00Pickup is included, for up to 4 passengers

MinivanUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Punjabi · 09:01Pickup is included, for up to 6 passengers

Standard People CarrierUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English or Punjabi · 09:02Pickup is included, for up to 7 passengers

Large People CarrierUp to 8 per booking · Guide in English or Punjabi · 09:03Pickup is included, for up to 8 passengers

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 09:01, 09:02 and 09:03

Book up to18h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and Punjabi

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 29 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site£ 18

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by E2G Travel

Is this one for you?Private means the driver adjusts the route to your group's interests. If you want an extra hour at Glencoe or to skip a stop, the itinerary shifts. This works best if your group has a shared pace and wants flexibility rather than a fixed schedule.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and Punjabi.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the Three Sisters of Glencoe?

The Three Sisters are the most famous and most photographed mountains in Scotland, located in Glencoe valley. The tour stops at the most celebrated viewpoint to photograph them and learn about the valley's history, including the MacDonald Massacre.

Can I go inside Inveraray Castle?

Inveraray Castle's grounds, shop, cafe and toilets are open to the public at no charge. Interior visits cost extra and are optional. The castle opens Thursday to Monday and closes from November through March. Your guide can help you decide whether to visit the interior or explore the town instead.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included, but the tour stops at the Real Food Cafe, an award-winning fish and chips restaurant in the Highlands that also serves gluten-free, vegan and Halal options. You can eat there or bring your own food.

How long is the walk to the Falls of Falloch?

The Falls of Falloch is a five-minute walk from the car park. The path is uneven and can get muddy during or after rain, so wear appropriate footwear.

What's included in the tour?

The tour includes a live guide, complimentary water and Scottish snacks, an air-conditioned vehicle with charging points, and pickup from your Oban accommodation. You choose your vehicle size at checkout: sedan, minivan, or people carrier depending on your group.

Can the driver adjust the route if I want to spend more time somewhere?

Yes. Because this is a private tour, the driver adapts the route and timing based on where your group wants to linger or which stops matter most to you. You set the pace.