- Overview
- Day-by-day itinerary
- Photos
Why choose this route?
A week-long version of the west-coast journey, with the route shortened by going straight from Loch Lomond to Oban. Book the Mallaig ferry and leave Skye before the final return morning.
Isle of Skye — good for: Distinctive landscapes and worthwhile food stops; the bridge gives you an alternative to ferry travel. The compromise: Long approach from Renfrew, crowded landmark parking and slow detours. A rushed weekend leaves little time on the island.
Glencoe — good for: Big Highland scenery without an island crossing; strong low-level and indoor alternatives. The compromise: The roadside viewpoints fill up. Mountain walks need much more preparation than a short woodland circuit.
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: Loch Lomond
- Day 2: Oban
- Day 3: Glencoe
- Day 4: Glenfinnan and Mallaig
- Day 5: South Skye
- Day 6: Portree and Trotternish
A glimpse of the places
Photo: Dr Peter Chadha and Dr Aviral Vasta · CC0. Resized for display.
Photo: Malcolm Lightbody · Unsplash. Resized for display.
Photo: Sketch the Sun (treesforanya) · CC0. Resized for display.
Your 7-day plan:
- Day 1: Loch Lomond
- Day 2: Oban
- Day 3: Glencoe
- Day 4: Glenfinnan and Mallaig
- Day 5: South Skye
- Day 6: Portree and Trotternish
- Day 7: Return to Renfrew
6 nights away. Open the daily plan below for the food, activity and overnight choices.
Itineraries
Day 1
Loch Lomond
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.
Start with Luss’s cottages, pier and lochshore, rather than trying to cover both sides of the loch. Park in a signed visitor car park and leave the village lanes for walking.
Make it work: For the short weekend, Balloch Country Park gives you a final-morning walk close to the return journey.
Day 2
Oban
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: For a ferry next morning, choose the pitch and departure time together; mainland drive time comes after disembarkation.
Day 3
Glencoe
Follow the A82 across Rannoch Moor and stop at the Three Sisters viewpoint only when there is a safe space. Make Glencoe your base; the visitor centre is a useful alternative when hill weather is poor.
Make it work: Choose a low-level outing in poor weather. Glen Etive is a narrow dead-end detour, not a quick alternative through-route.
Day 4
Glenfinnan and Mallaig
Make Glenfinnan’s viaduct and loch your main stop before following the Road to the Isles. Check train operation and timing directly if seeing a train is the reason for the stop.
Make it work: Book Mallaig–Armadale vehicle space with CalMac. Use the A87 bridge approach as the alternative, allowing for the extra drive.
Day 5
South Skye
Start with the south of the island or one open Cuillin-side walk. Keep the weather and road conditions in charge of your choice; save Trotternish for its own day.
Make it work: Carbost and Portree are separate legs; choose the café detour only when it fits the day.
Day 6
Portree and Trotternish
Choose one main Trotternish outing: the Storr or a Quiraing walk in suitable conditions. Leave time for parking and walking; complete the full loop only if you have the daylight.
Make it work: A noon return from Portree needs a very early departure. Prefer a mainland final night or add a day.
Final-night plan: Finish the outing early enough to move south. Use a booked Glencoe or Loch Lomond pitch. This transfer is part of today’s driving; extend the hire if you want to stay here tonight.
Day 7
Return to Renfrew
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.
