4-day Argyll & Oban coast
Follow the A83 from Inveraray into Kilmartin’s ancient landscape, then finish with Oban’s harbour food. This mainland trip puts archaeology and small-town stops ahead of ferry logistics.
Planning estimates, rounded for a return loop from Renfrew. Moving time assumes roughly 32 mph overall on mixed Scottish roads and excludes sightseeing, traffic, stops and ferries. Fuel illustration assumes 34 imperial mpg and £1.55 per litre of diesel; actual consumption and pump prices vary. The average hides longer transfer days. Check each leg in a live route planner before booking.
How this trip works
Sea lochs, archaeology and harbour food without an island ferry. After Oban on day three, move back towards Inveraray or Loch Lomond for an easier return morning.
Break the A82 drive at The Real Food Café in Tyndrum. Keep the Glencoe visitor centre for a wet-weather afternoon.
Your route at a glance
Pink markers show the itinerary’s day areas. Tap a marker for its name, or open the stops in Google Maps. Ferry crossings and road journeys need separate checks for your travel dates.
- Renfrew — collection / return
- Day 1: Inveraray
- Day 2: Kilmartin Glen
- Day 3: Oban
Day 1: InverarayView day +
Collection: Allow for the 14:00 handover in Renfrew before starting this day. Choose an evening stop that fits the campsite’s check-in time.
Walk the harbourfront and choose one heritage visit. This is a useful first west-coast night after the afternoon handover, rather than pushing straight to the far end of Kintyre.
Make it work: Check A83 road conditions before leaving; the Rest and Be Thankful section can affect this trip.
Day 2: Kilmartin GlenView day +
Start at Kilmartin Museum for context, then choose a short circuit of the glen’s monuments. The museum makes the archaeology more meaningful than stopping at stones without their story.
Make it work: Use the museum’s self-guided trail and current monument access information.
Day 3: ObanView day +
Leave the van in an appropriate town car park and explore the harbour on foot. A waterfront lunch and one viewpoint are a better combination than squeezing in a distant island crossing.
Make it work: Today’s southbound transfer helps keep the handback morning manageable. There is no island ferry in this itinerary.
Day 4: Return to RenfrewView day +
Today is the return journey, with standard handback by 12 noon. Check live traffic, allow time to refuel and arrive at the agreed return point. Optional sightseeing and cafés come after the return only, unless a later handback has been agreed.
Food: Breakfast in the van before leaving your final pitch keeps the morning flexible. Sleeping: No overnight pitch is included for this final hire day; book an additional night if extending.
Castles, wellness and rainy-day ideas
Inveraray Castle is a heritage stop; check its visitor season. Treat these as optional detours, not booked inclusions. Some facilities restrict non-resident access and require advance reservation.
A glimpse of the places
Photo: Nancy Hann · Unsplash. Displayed at reduced size.
Before you book
Reserve a suitable campervan pitch and check seasonal opening, local parking restrictions, vehicle ferry capacity where applicable and attraction opening times. Road and weather conditions can change quickly. Scotland’s access rights do not give vehicles a general right to stay overnight anywhere.
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