Argyll & Oban by campervan
Loch Fyne food, Kilmartin’s ancient stones and the working harbour at Oban.
The trip we would build
Follow Inveraray, Kilmartin and Oban as separate stages. This gives Argyll a story beyond a coastal drive: town and loch first, prehistoric landscape next, then a working ferry harbour. The Kilmartin leg uses the A83/A816; it is longer than going directly from Inveraray to Oban.
Why choose it: Food, history and coast in one mainland trip; no ferry booking needed unless you extend to an island.
The trade-off: The A83 can be disrupted at the Rest and Be Thankful, and a coastal detour makes a ferry connection less forgiving.
Drive times and approach
| Leg | Planning allowance |
|---|---|
| Renfrew → Inveraray | Allow 1½–2 hours |
| Inveraray → Oban directly | Allow about an hour; Kilmartin is an additional leg |
Approximate driving only; allow extra time for stops and, on island journeys, sailing and vehicle check-in.
Map of the area
Map & stops
Pins locate the areas below. Use the operator’s entrance and parking instructions when driving.
Outings to build into your stay
Choose these outings to suit your hire length. The linked route below accounts for collection, overnight pitches and the return day.
Loch Fyne evening
Explore Inveraray's harbourfront and choose the castle or town heritage for the following morning. Brambles is the town food stop. Avoid turning collection afternoon into a race all the way to Oban.
Understand the glen, then follow the coast
Start at Kilmartin Museum, then walk part of its monument trail. Sleep at Lochgilphead Caravan Park for this stage rather than commuting back to Oban.
Oban on foot
Leave the van in suitable town parking, have lunch at Food from Argyll at the Pier and walk the waterfront. Stay at North Ledaig for the Oban stage; it is outside town, so plan dinner transport rather than assuming a walk back.
Food worth fitting into the trip
- Brambles, Inveraray — Town-centre food and coffee during the Inveraray harbour and heritage stop. Have the meal here before the drive to your Loch Fyne pitch.
- Food from Argyll at the Pier — An Oban pier-side lunch during the waterfront walk. On ferry days, eat before vehicle check-in and keep the boarding time separate.
Where we would base the van
- Lochgilphead Caravan Park — The useful overnight for Kilmartin and the southern stage.
- North Ledaig Caravan Park — A coastal pitch north of Oban for the harbour or a following ferry. The site is outside town: arrange the evening journey back before dinner.
What matters locally
Roseview has closed, so older overnight recommendations need replacing. Check the A83 before choosing your approach. Add a mainland night before handback if the trip includes a Mull ferry.
Handy tips for your Wee Coo
Wee Coo routes through this area
4-day Argyll & Oban coast
Inveraray, Kilmartin’s archaeology and an Oban harbour lunch over four hire days.
Best for: Kilmartin archaeology and Loch Fyne food
Driving: Moderate
Season: Spring–autumn; confirm seasonal touring dates
Ferries: None
6-day Mull & Iona slow tour
Tobermory and Calgary from Salen, Iona on foot and a mainland final night.
Best for: Mull beaches and Iona on foot
Driving: Slow island roads and two vehicle crossings
Season: Spring–autumn; confirm seasonal touring dates
Ferries: Vehicle ferry
6-day Kintyre & Argyll coast
Tarbert, Campbeltown and Machrihanish’s beach, finishing back in Inveraray.
Best for: Kintyre beaches, Tarbert and Campbeltown
Driving: Long peninsula transfers
Season: Spring–autumn; confirm seasonal touring dates
Ferries: None
8-day west coast & Skye
Loch Fyne and Oban before Glenfinnan, the Mallaig ferry and a full Trotternish day.
Best for: A varied west coast journey with a Skye day
Driving: Several transfer days
Season: Spring–autumn; confirm seasonal touring dates
Ferries: Vehicle ferry
10-day Outer Hebrides island hop
Barra to Lewis by booked ferries, with beach days and a mainland buffer at Ullapool.
Best for: Island beaches and North Uist birdwatching
Driving: Multiple ferries and a long mainland return
Season: Spring–autumn; confirm seasonal touring dates
Ferries: Vehicle ferry
12-day Grand Scotland loop
A twelve-day Highland circuit through Skye, Wester Ross and the Cairngorms.
Best for: A broad Highland journey with time between bases
Driving: Longer trip, mixed transfers
Season: Spring–autumn; confirm seasonal touring dates
Ferries: Vehicle ferry
5-day Scotland campervan route: west coast
Luss, Glencoe and the Road to the Isles, with a longer transfer through Oban.
Best for: Mainland beaches and west coast scenery
Driving: Moderate, with a long fourth day
Season: Spring–autumn; confirm seasonal touring dates
Ferries: None
7-day Scotland campervan route: west coast and Skye
Oban and Glenfinnan on the way to two full Skye days, then a Glencoe return base.
Best for: Two full Skye days within a west coast week
Driving: Several substantial transfer days
Season: Spring–autumn; confirm seasonal touring dates
Ferries: Vehicle ferry
No matching routes. Try a different length or area.
A few of our local picks
Brambles Café, Inveraray
Town-centre food and coffee during the Inveraray harbour and heritage stop. Have the meal here before the drive to your Loch Fyne pitch.
Argyll Caravan Park
An Inveraray base for the Loch Fyne stage, before continuing south towards Kilmartin.
Facilities: Gravel vehicle pitches, two toilet/shower blocks, washing-up and laundry. The chemical disposal point accepts eco products; blue chemicals are prohibited.
Pitch booking: Published pitch arrival is from 13:00, departure by noon. Arrange arrivals after 17:00 with the operator.
Alternative: Lochgilphead Caravan Park. Farther down the A83, so adjust the following stage.
Food from Argyll at the Pier
An Oban pier-side lunch during the waterfront walk. On ferry days, eat before vehicle check-in and keep the boarding time separate.
Lochgilphead Caravan Park
The useful overnight for Kilmartin and the southern stage.
Facilities: Hardstanding serviced pitches with water, drain and electric point; heated shower and toilet cubicles.
Alternative: Argyll Caravan Park. A different base; revise the driving leg and confirm a touring pitch.
Kilmartin Museum
Start here for the story behind Kilmartin Glen’s stones and cairns. Pair the museum with the outdoor monuments and its café when service fits.
Machrihanish Holiday Park
A western Kintyre base for the beach stage of the peninsula loop.
Facilities: Grass and hardstanding options, heated showers/toilets, laundry, shop and chemical disposal. Electric and fully serviced pitches are separate choices.
Alternative: Lochgilphead Caravan Park. A much farther north base, so this needs a revised Kintyre day rather than an evening pitch swap.
No matching picks. Try another place or category.