Walking Holiday in the Trossachs National Park, Scotland , UK. Oban & Islands

Your Holiday at a Glance


Independent Walking Holiday	Trossachs National Park, Oban & Islands
Dates for 2023	1st April - 25th October
Price	On request (includes 3 train journeys & ferry crossings)
Grade
Profile	7 nights - 3 days walking across Trossachs National Park moving between guest houses, followed by 3 days exploring Oban and nearby islands with choice of walks Also available as 4 nights short break in Trossachs
Highlights	Exploring the Trossachs National Park in Scotland, a land of beautiful lochs and glens, forests and tumbling rivers. Exploring Oban a bustling ferry port of the Southern Hebrides and visit an excellent local whisky distillery. Choice of exploring a number of nearby islands including Kerrera with its ruined chateau and wildlife, and Mull with its famous capital Tobermory A unique walking holiday which offers easy to moderate walking in a relatively quiet and beautiful region of Scotland Small villages and towns with a thriving local culture and music.
Accommodation and Meals	7 nights B&B in ensuite 2 person rooms (double or twin) in good Guest Houses or Hotels. Some locations have a limited choice
What's included	7 nights B&B accommodation 3 train journeys Day 1 Glasgow Queen Street to Stirling Day 5 Crianlarich – Oban Day 8 Oban to Glasgow Queen Street Ferries - Vouchers for 2 return crossing with options from: Oban – Lismore Oban - Mull Oban - Kerrera Baggage Transfers on walking days 2, 3, and 4. (1 bag per person, max weight 20kg) Detailed walking notes including information about the area Walking maps of Trossachs and islands
What's not included	All lunches, dinners and drinks Travel to Glasgow, Scotland Local bus transfers Travel insurance Entrance fees
	Take a look at our other self-guided walking holidays in Scotland: Short break Trossachs - West Highlands Way & Skye - West Highlands Way & Wild West Coast

Trossachs, islands & Walks

The Trossachs are situated on the physical boundary between the Highlands and the Lowlands of Scotland and encapsulate much of the beauty and wilderness of Scotland. A region of wild glens and sparkling lochs, the Trossachs are often regarded as the ‘Highlands in miniature’. Here the contrast between Highlands and Lowlands is stark as you leave Aberfoyle for your reasonably gentle walk across the Trossachs. The region contains a number of beautiful and stark mountains which provide picturesque backdrops to the serene lakes.

The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park was created in 2002. The woods, mountains, lochs and coasts of the park are rich in wildlife. Otters, deer, osprey and the capercaille or ‘horse of the woods’- the world’s biggest grouse are just some of the wildlife present. The park contains 21 mountains over 3000ft in height.

Oban is a busy fishing port with great local traditions and provides an excellent base for exploring a couple of the numerous islands off the Scottish coast. Each island has its own unique character with stunning wild scenery, rich fertile valleys and beautiful historic settlements and castles.

Find out more information about the Trossachs & the islands of Mull, Kerrera, Lismore and Iona

Walking Profile

This independent walking holiday is a reasonably gentle week and would suit people who are happy to walk in the countryside on rolling paths and tracks. Daily walking distances 14 – 20km with rolling countryside. Ascents up to 200m during the day. This holiday can be made easier or harder according to your preferences with different options available on 2 of the days in the Trossachs and a choice of walks on the islands.

location map trossachs and islands in Scotland UK

Day 1: Arrival

Train from Glasgow to Stirling. Time to explore Stirling - a fine small city full of the history of Scotland – Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument and surroundings.

Day 2: Aberfoyle - Callander

Transfer to Aberfoyle and briefing before setting off on the start of your journey across the Highland Boundary Fault (which stretches right across Scotland) to Callander, 14km.

Day 3: Callander - Kingshouse

Walk to Kingshouse via picturesque Loch Lubnaig and Strathyre between lovely mountains. There are a couple of route options from Strathyre to Kingshouse, 15km to 19km

Day 4: Kingshouse - Killin

Walk to Killin, again there are a couple of options from which to choose. One following the gentler gradients of the old railway line up the spectacular Glen Ogle and crossing a couple of fine old viaducts before heading down through the forest to Killin, 15km. The alternative will take you up and through Glen Kendrum and down Gleann Dubh, through wild rugged glens with a fair bit of ascent, 22km

Day 5: Oban

Local bus to Crianlarich to catch the train to Oban, accommodation for 3 nights. Explore the local area, visit Oban distillery (an excellent one). Oban is a bustling ferry port for the Southern Hebrides. There is a lot of local culture, traditional music and some great wee eateries to sample.

Days 6 & 7: Islands

Time to explore and discover:
- walk out to Ganavan and take the ferry over to Kerrera: a wonderful contrast to the woods and lochs of the Trossachs. Explore the peaceful island, its ruined castle and look out for seals and seabirds. Distance 12km
- take the ferry to Lismore and explore this fertile and historic island, distance 10 – 15km
- take the ferry to Mull and visit the busy capital of Tobermory or over again to the Island of Iona where Cristianity reached Scotland in the 6th Century.

Day 8: Depart

After breakfast, depart Oban by train for Glasgow Queen Street station and onward travel

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LOCH trossachs self guided walking holiday scotland

island kerrera independent walking holiday highlands Scotland

view to Mull from Oban independent walks scotland highlands and islands UK

Accommodation & Meals

7 nights B&B in ensuite 2 person rooms (double or twin) in good quality Guest Houses or Hotels. They are often in historic buildings with warmth and character and the bed and breakfasts are 3 or 4 star rated. Some locations have a limited choice. Packed lunches and evening meals are not included in the price of the holiday.

Name	Type	Details	Rating
Thornloe Guest House	Guest House	Thornloe is a substantial Victorian House on a hill overlooking Oban Bay with stunning views towards the Isle of Kerrera and across to Mull. 5 minutes walk from Oban town centre.	4 star local rating

Travel Options

Train travel to and from Glasgow Queen Street is included in the price of your holiday.

Trains run regularly from London and other UK cities to Glasgow Central rail station. Bus service 398 available at the station takes you to Queen Street station, as does the Glasgow subway.

Internal UK flights and international flights operate from Glasgow Airport. There is a regular shuttle bus service - Service 500 (Glasgow Flyer Airport Express) which runs to the city centre and Queens Street station.