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Depart Glasgow at 09.00 and travel northwest, through the gorgeous Glen Fruin, driving parallel with Loch Long. From here you will be crossing the Highland boundary fault line where the scenery changes quickly and dramatically - the flat fertile plains of the Lowlands giving way to shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops and forest-filled glens. It's easy to forget that this was once thought of as a dangerous frontier fought over by the fiercely territorial Highland clans such as the MacGregors, made famous by highland folk hero, Rob Roy MacGregor. Loch Lomond is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. You will then take a leisurely drive over the at 'Rest and Be Thankful' mountain pass. It was given its name in 1753 by the weary soldiers who had just finished building the old military road up through Glen Croe (not to be confused with Glencoe which you will visit later in the day) From here you will travel through the steep-sided mountains, known as the Arrochar Alps, to the picturesque harbour town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne, famous for the18th-century castle and home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Campbell clan. The town was built at the same time as the castle and is a classic 18th century planned village with its straight wide streets and dignified Georgian houses, designed by Robert Adam, famous for his architecture in Edinburgh’s New Town. From here you will drive along the shore of Scotland’s longest loch, Loch Awe, where you stop for the short walk out to visit Kilchurn Castle, a magnificent ruin situated in the middle of Loch Awe and former home of the Campbells of Breadalbane. You will then continue to the harbour town of Oban, gateway to the Isles, for lunch of your choice. After lunch you will then travel north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker, and into Scotland's most famous valley, Glencoe. Stunningly beautiful, with its dramatic cliff faces and steep slopes, Glencoe is infamous as the site of the Glencoe massacre in 1692. Following orders from King William, Scottish soldiers under the leadership of Captain Robert Campbell slaughtered 38 men, women and children of the Macdonald clan. This was especially shocking as the soldiers had been living with the people of Glencoe for 2 weeks and killed them in their own homes. Nobody was ever punished for this crime, as the King himself had signed the order, but the Highlands would never be the same again. Travelling south as you pass the majestic peak of Buachaille Etive Mor (meaning 'the great shepherd of Etive') you descend towards the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor. At an altitude of over 1000ft, covered by heather and peat-bogs and dotted with dozens of lochs, it's a unique landscape. From here you will then travel through Glen Falloch, and then drive south towards Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. The last stop of the day will be in Luss, an 18th century conservation village with old workers cottages, built for the labourers of the Estate. From here you return to Glasgow at approx 19.00.
Photography Credits: Visit Britain, Visit Scotland, Britainonview, Mike Hasted, Luke Sheppard, Ingrid Rasmussen, Pawel Libera, Tony Pleavin, Craig Easton, David Angel, Martin Brent, Bob Berry, Paul Watts |
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Posted by Lynda Baker/Dean Mitchell on 28/05/2013
Thoroughly enjoyed this day and tour. John was a great guide, very informative and interesting.
Posted by DORCAS on 22/05/2013
-Georgeous tour. Best places: Kilchurn castle, Stalker castle, 3 sisters and Luss/Loch Lomond -We were only 3 but you didn't cancel the tour. A small group was enjoyable. We could ask questions easily to the guide and could spend more time in places we were more interested in and less time in places we were les interested in, almost like a private tour. -Learn about Scottish Music and Scottish History -Nice and interesting guide and in kilt
Posted by Emilie Nardy on 28/04/2013
Nicola was a fantastic guide !! Was the right mix of travel and attractions.
Posted by Pramukh Dutt on 05/04/2013
We were lucky enough to win our tour, but I would pay and take the same tour again, it was so good! Michael our guide was amazing! He was so knowledgeable about not only our destinations but all the history and stories surrounding them. Thank you again for a great trip and a very memorable day!
Posted by Emma Duncan on 21/02/2013
Well i had the most amazing time during this tour. John is the perfect guide, he never rushes you at any site and he is so much fun and I think he would have a really successful career as a Dj as he has a great taste in music with Sony MP3 player which is his little treasure :))). Also he keeps telling stories about scottish history which shows his amazing knowledge. One More thing when i come to Scotland again i will make sure to book with rabbie's and Hopefully i am lucky enough to have John as the Guide. Cheeeers John :)
Posted by Loay Hossny on 04/02/2013
The whole on the tour experience was one of the BEST in our lives. Mr John McDermott is WONDERFUL., would love to tour again with him. Very thoughtful ,pleasant and patient gentleman during every minute of the journey.
Posted by Syed Aftab on 30/01/2013
Tip of 2013: Join John McDermott for a trip to the Highlands: Castles, Awesome Landscapes, Deer, Ancient Pub and Highland Park Whisky. All accompanied by great music and stories. Thanks John! Joan & Carel 19 Jan 2013
Posted by Carel Weijand on 27/01/2013
John our driver was excellent. He supplied us with a great commentary on Scottish history and the importance of all the sites we visited. His driving was smooth despite the wintry conditions, and we enjoyed a smooth ride from start to finish. He got on very well with my boyfriend and, even though he is from Scotland and is knowledgeable about the country's history, John still managed to impart wisdom upon him. The locations we visited were gorgeous, and we benefited from some glorious weather.
Posted by Elliot Busby on 12/12/2012
The walk to kilchurn castle was good, and the castle ruin was also worth the walk. on the way back we had a stop off for a coffee/drink at the drovers inn, a very Scottish pub with an amazing atmosphere, burning log fires, old building with lots of great features. lovely end to a great day. and the music...great mix DJ John......
Posted by Kerrena McCartney on 13/11/2012
John is a great and helpful tour guide. He play all the lovely music on the way which I enjoyed very much. Although the weather is not good, but we still have a good time touring around.
Posted by Julia Wu on 12/11/2012
I loved the pace of the tour including the number of stops. The stops were low cost,which was nice for those on a budget. Superior tour.
Posted by kristen hearrell on 31/10/2012
Our tour guide Juliet was fantastic, couldn't have had a better one. She knew so much about Scotland and all the places we were going, the stops were great-the amount of time could have been longer but for an 8 hour tour we got to see A LOT!
Posted by Jenna Chreptyk on 15/10/2012
As there were only the two of us it was like a personal excursion. We were involved in decisions about route and timings and alterations to the planned itinerary to take into account our previous visits to the area and our interests. No music just good conversation!
Posted by Alan Elcoate on 08/10/2012
We truly loved the wonderful and breathtaking visit to the ruins of Castle Kilchurn, and generally every istant we passed in the western highlands.
Posted by Massimiliano Podetti on 08/10/2012
The tour itself was very enjoyable. The stops at Inveraray, Oban and the castle ruin show beautiful places and every of it is special on its own. Driving to them and through the highlands I did like as well, as the music was quite entertaining and our guide a very friendly person that knew what to show us.
Posted by Michelle Karschat on 25/09/2012
Our guide was AMAZING!! Very knowledgable and friendly. Would highly recommend her to anyone!!
Posted by Leesa Schaefer on 18/09/2012
Overall outstanding- everything was great! The number of stops and time at each was spot on- was able see so much!!! during the 9-10 hours. My guide- John McDermott was so professionally smooth but not bored with his job- I felt very safe with his driving and it was lovely to hear him reminisce about his lifelong experiences in the areas we visited.
Posted by Amy Baird on 09/08/2012
My sister and I took 1 day to Oban, Glencoe & Highlands tour from Glasgow on Monday 6 of August . Scenery in the Highlands was breathtaking, just like we imagined it would be! There were enough photo opportunities and stops, everything went smoothly. We were fortunate to have great weather which made our trip even better! :) We enjoyed our tour very much and would like to say special thanks to our guide John McDermott. During the tour he told our group great stories about Scottish history and played awesome music along the way. He was friendly to everyone in our group and had a great sense of humour (and knowledge about whiskey ). Kirsi & Johanna from Finland
Posted by K. on 07/08/2012
A very good design tour. The guide John has transmiting very atmospheric description of the scenery. We are absolutly delighted with this experience. Regards.
Posted by Juan Pedro on 06/08/2012
The whole tour was great,made excellent by the tour guide John . Johns knowledge and easy friendly manner had everyone on the coach interacting with him and one another. Thank you John.
Posted by marina dempsey on 01/08/2012
John is a great and helpful tour guide. He play all the lovely music on the way which I enjoyed very much. Although the weather is not good, but we still have a good time touring around.
Posted by Julia Wu on 12/11/2012
I loved the pace of the tour including the number of stops. The stops were low cost,which was nice for those on a budget. Superior tour.
Posted by kristen hearrell on 31/10/2012
Our tour guide Juliet was fantastic, couldn't have had a better one. She knew so much about Scotland and all the places we were going, the stops were great-the amount of time could have been longer but for an 8 hour tour we got to see A LOT!
Posted by Jenna Chreptyk on 15/10/2012
As there were only the two of us it was like a personal excursion. We were involved in decisions about route and timings and alterations to the planned itinerary to take into account our previous visits to the area and our interests. No music just good conversation!
Posted by Alan Elcoate on 08/10/2012
We truly loved the wonderful and breathtaking visit to the ruins of Castle Kilchurn, and generally every istant we passed in the western highlands.
Posted by Massimiliano Podetti on 08/10/2012
The tour itself was very enjoyable. The stops at Inveraray, Oban and the castle ruin show beautiful places and every of it is special on its own. Driving to them and through the highlands I did like as well, as the music was quite entertaining and our guide a very friendly person that knew what to show us.
Posted by Michelle Karschat on 25/09/2012
Our guide was AMAZING!! Very knowledgable and friendly. Would highly recommend her to anyone!!
Posted by Leesa Schaefer on 18/09/2012
Overall outstanding- everything was great! The number of stops and time at each was spot on- was able see so much!!! during the 9-10 hours. My guide- John McDermott was so professionally smooth but not bored with his job- I felt very safe with his driving and it was lovely to hear him reminisce about his lifelong experiences in the areas we visited.
Posted by Amy Baird on 09/08/2012
The whole tour was great,made excellent by the tour guide John . Johns knowledge and easy friendly manner had everyone on the coach interacting with him and one another. Thank you John.
Posted by marina dempsey on 01/08/2012