# Peat smoke, stone circles and seal bays – by camper through Argyll, down Kintyre and over to Islay

> From Glasgow over the Rest and Be Thankful, through the stone-circle valley of Kilmartin and down to the Mull of Kintyre, then by ferry to the distilleries…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-385-argyll-kintyre-islay/

**At a glance:** 8-day road trip of about 1,046 km (650 mi) with 14 stops, from Glasgow to Oban. About 14 h 27 min of driving in total. Best time to go: May–September. No motorway tolls or vignettes expected for a car. From Glasgow over the Rest and Be Thankful, through the stone-circle valley of Kilmartin and down to the Mull of Kintyre, then by ferry to the distilleries of Islay and on to Oban: around 680 kilometres between sea lochs, single-track roads and ferry timetables.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | approx. 1,046 km (650 mi) |
| Driving | 14 h 27 min |
| Suggested days | 8 |
| Stops | 14 |
| Route | Glasgow → Oban |
| Countries | United Kingdom |
| Best time to go | May–September |
| Tolls and vignettes | None expected |
| Updated | October 1, 2026 |

[Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-385-argyll-kintyre-islay.gpx)

Practical guides for this route: [By motorhome to Britain and Ireland: entry, driving on the left, tolls and overnighting](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/eu-uk-ireland-by-motorhome/)

*From Glasgow over the Rest and Be Thankful, through the stone-circle valley of Kilmartin and down to the Mull of Kintyre, then by ferry to the distilleries of Islay and on to Oban: around 680 kilometres between sea lochs, single-track roads and ferry timetables.*

## The spirit of the route

Argyll is a land of watery fingers. Barely an hour out of Glasgow the sea pushes in between the mountains as Loch Long, beyond it lies Loch Fyne, later the Crinan Canal, and again and again your camper stands on the shore of a bay that looks like a lake on the map and smells of seaweed. On Kintyre the road narrows, the hills turn bare, and off the west coast Gigha, Islay and Jura lie like dark backs in the evening light. From the sliding door you see seals on slabs of rock, oystercatchers along the tideline and, when the air is clear, the coast of Antrim. On Islay peat smoke drifts from the maltings, and whitewashed distilleries stand right at the edge of the surf. This route lives by the rhythm of tides and ferries: short stages, passing places, rain coming in sideways – and then, suddenly, light over the Sound of Islay.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Glasgow to Inveraray (approx. 100 km)

- **The drive:** Leave Glasgow on the A82 to Balloch at the southern end of Loch Lomond, then follow the west shore via Inverbeg to Tarbet – two lanes, but winding, with buses and lorries and few chances to overtake. At Tarbet take the A83 to Arrochar at the head of Loch Long, climb through Glen Croe to the Rest and Be Thankful pass (around 245 m) and descend through Glen Kinglas to Loch Fyne. Round the head of the loch at Cairndow to Inveraray. Pure driving time a good 2 hours, not counting traffic jams on the edge of Glasgow.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Balloch Castle Country Park at the southern end of Loch Lomond: park paths with views across the loch to the first mountains.
  - Inveruglas on the west shore: viewpoint looking out to Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps, with a boat jetty in summer.
  - Rest and Be Thankful: car park at the top of the pass with the old memorial stone and a view down Glen Croe; below it, the catch pits and protective fences against debris flows on the slope of Beinn Luibhean.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Argyll Caravan Park on Loch Fyne, a few kilometres south of Inveraray on the A83: a large holiday park with pitches for motorhomes, electric hook-up and toilet and shower facilities (check touring pitches, water and waste disposal and season in advance). If you would rather stop on Loch Long: Forestry and Land Scotland offers a “Stay the Night” car park at Ardgartan for vehicles with their own toilet; the scheme now runs all year, with fewer car parks in winter – check on the FLS website beforehand whether Ardgartan is currently included. On the west shore of Loch Lomond there is Inverbeg Holiday Park.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The west shore of Loch Lomond is part of the national park’s Camping Management Zones: from 1 March to 30 September motorhomes may only stay overnight there in permit areas – on the west shore at Firkin Point and Inveruglas, for a small fee per night, a maximum of three nights in the same place, bookable online up to four weeks ahead. Caravans are not catered for in the permit areas; rooftop tents count as motorhomes. From 1 October to the end of February the permit requirement is suspended and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code applies – but it does not cover vehicles. Never use passing places for overnight stops; according to the park authority, laybys are at most intended for a short rest overnight, not for longer stays.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Before setting off, check the status of the A83 on Traffic Scotland – work on the slope is ongoing, at times with traffic lights on the A83 itself: when there is a risk of landslides, traffic is diverted along the Old Military Road on the floor of Glen Croe – single-track, with traffic-light or convoy control. If both routes are closed, the only option is the long detour via Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Dalmally (A82/A85/A819), a good hour longer. The shortcut via Lochgoilhead and Hell’s Glen (B828/B839) is narrow and steep and unsuitable for large motorhomes. The national park’s waste disposal point is at Tarbet on Loch Lomond.

### Stage 2: Inveraray to Lochgilphead (via Kilmartin Glen and Crinan) (approx. 90 km)

- **The drive:** Take the A83 along the west shore of Loch Fyne via Furnace and Minard to Lochgilphead, a well-made road with long views over the loch. From there head north on the A816 into Kilmartin Glen, down the B8025 to the Crinan Canal at Bellanoch, and as a detour along the narrow road to Tayvallich on Loch Sween (single-track, with passing places). Back to the canal, on to Crinan and along the canal on the B841 to Lochgilphead – the B841 is narrow, and the bridges over the canal are swing bridges with waiting times.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Auchindrain near Furnace: a preserved Highland farming township with longhouses, open as an open-air museum (check season and opening hours).
  - Kilmartin Glen: the Nether Largie standing stones, the stone circles of Temple Wood and a chain of burial cairns – plus the rock fortress of Dunadd in the Moine Mhòr bog, once the royal seat of Dál Riata, with a footprint carved into the summit.
  - Crinan: the canal basin with its lock, fishing boats and a view over the Sound of Jura; a walk along the towpath towards Bellanoch is flat and short.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Lochgilphead Caravan Park on the edge of town, near Loch Gilp and the canal end at Ardrishaig, within walking distance of the town: pitches with electric hook-up, toilet and shower facilities, water and waste disposal (check season). An alternative is Ardfern Motorhome Park on Loch Craignish north of Kilmartin, a site geared to motorhomes.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The car parks in Kilmartin Glen, at Dunadd and in Crinan are day car parks for visitors; overnight stays are not intended there, and the towpath and canal banks belong to Scottish Canals. In the Moine Mhòr bog (a National Nature Reserve) do not drive or park off the tracks. If you want to park up for free, Knapdale offers at most small parking bays – observe signs and do not block access to forest tracks.
- **Insider tip for campers:** At Barnluasgan on the road to Tayvallich a short circular trail starts in Knapdale Forest, where beavers have been reintroduced – best at dusk. Lochgilphead has a supermarket, a filling station and the last larger shopping opportunity before Kintyre. With a large motorhome, avoid the B841 and approach Crinan via Kilmartin and the B8025 – the canal road is tight and the swing bridges are narrow.

### Stage 3: Lochgilphead to Tarbert (Loch Fyne) via Knapdale (approx. 65 km)

- **The drive:** Head south on the A83 through Ardrishaig, then turn right onto the B8024, which runs as a single-track coast road around Knapdale: via Achahoish, along Loch Caolisport to Kilberry and back south along the west coast to the junction with the A83 south of Tarbert. Lots of blind crests, tight bends and passing places, sheep on the road; allow 2 hours. The last few kilometres north on the A83 to Tarbert.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Kilberry Sculptured Stones: a collection of medieval grave slabs and crosses under a shelter, freely accessible.
  - The west coast at Kilberry Head: views across the sea to Jura, Islay and Gigha, and on clear evenings a sunset behind the Paps of Jura.
  - Tarbert: fishing harbour at the end of Loch Fyne with the ruins of the castle that Robert the Bruce had extended; a short climb with a view over the harbour.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Port Bàn Holiday Park near Kilberry on the west coast: a holiday park right by the sea with pitches for touring vehicles, electric hook-up and toilet and shower facilities (check touring provision and season in advance). In Tarbert itself is Tarbert Holiday Park; ask beforehand whether motorhomes can get a pitch there.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The B8024 has hardly any room at the side: park only in marked parking bays, never in passing places or in front of field gates. Short-stay parking applies at Tarbert harbour; for motorhomes overnight it is not an option. If you want to spend an evening by the water, you are better off at one of the small sites on the west coast.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up and shop in Tarbert – there is neither a filling station nor a shop on the B8024. The road is slippery when wet and the dips are often covered with leaves and mud; drive slowly and be ready for oncoming traffic over the next crest. From Tarbert a CalMac ferry sails to Portavadie on Cowal – useful if you later want to combine the route with Cowal.

### Stage 4: Tarbert to Machrihanish (via Campbeltown) (approx. 70 km)

- **The drive:** Head south on the A83 along the west coast of Kintyre: first past Loch Fyne to the Kennacraig ferry terminal, then via Clachan, Tayinloan and Westport with long views of Gigha and Islay. The A83 is mostly two lanes here, but narrow, with some tight sections. At Westport cut across the peninsula to Campbeltown and continue on the B843 to Machrihanish. Pure driving time around 1.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Westport Beach: a sandy beach several kilometres long north of Machrihanish, with Atlantic surf and a view of Islay.
  - Campbeltown: once the whisky capital with dozens of distilleries, today home to Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle; plus the Campbeltown Picture House of 1913, one of the oldest cinemas in Scotland.
  - Davaar Island off Campbeltown: at low tide a shingle causeway (The Dhorlin) leads to the island with its 19th-century cave painting of the Crucifixion – only walkable at low water.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Machrihanish Holiday Park on the edge of Machrihanish, near the beach and golf course: pitches for motorhomes, electric hook-up and toilet and shower facilities (check facilities and season in advance). If you stop at Tayinloan, you can cross to Gigha and use the Gigha Camp and Motorhome Site – check beforehand whether your vehicle fits on the small ferry.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Along the west coast of Kintyre there are laybys with sea views on the A83; overnight stays there are not expressly permitted, and the Access Code does not cover vehicles. If you take a break in a beach car park, do not park in the dunes or on grazing land. In Campbeltown, park only in designated car parks.
- **Insider tip for campers:** For Davaar, check the tide table and set off at least two hours before low water – the causeway floods faster than you think. Drivers visiting distilleries: the drink-driving limit in Scotland is 0.5 per mille; many distilleries pack driver’s samples for you to take away. Campbeltown has a supermarket and filling station; the next reasonably priced supplies are not until Tarbert or Lochgilphead.

### Stage 5: Machrihanish to Carradale (via the Mull of Kintyre and Southend) (approx. 85 km)

- **The drive:** Via Campbeltown on the B842 to Southend on the south coast, then up the narrow, steep dead-end road into the hills towards the Mull of Kintyre – single-track, with tight hairpins and steep gradients, unsuitable for large motorhomes and caravan outfits. At the end of the public road is a small car park for just a few cars; beyond it the private access road to the lighthouse is closed by a barrier and open on foot only. Back to Campbeltown and north on the B842 along the east coast to Carradale: many single-track sections, crests and bends with views of Arran.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Mull of Kintyre: walk from the car park down the steep access road to the lighthouse (around 1.5 km each way, at least an hour there and back, with a very steep climb on the return); in clear weather the coast of Antrim seems close enough to touch. Nearby a memorial stone commemorates the 1994 helicopter crash.
  - Keil Point near Southend: caves in the rock and “St Columba’s footprints”, at the spot where, according to tradition, the saint first set foot in Scotland.
  - Carradale: a small harbour and sandy bay with a view across to Arran; walking trails in Carradale Forest.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Carradale Bay Caravan Park on Carradale Bay, with pitches near the beach, electric hook-up and toilet and shower facilities (check season and facilities in advance). If the east coast does not suit you with a large vehicle, stay a second night in Machrihanish and drive the next day straight to Kennacraig on the A83.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The car park at the end of the drivable road to the Mull of Kintyre is cramped and meant for short visits; staying overnight there is neither sensible nor welcome. Southend has a beach car park for day visitors, not an option overnight. On the B842 there are hardly any places to stop outside the passing places.
- **Insider tip for campers:** With a motorhome over about 6 m long, it is better to skip the dead-end road to the Mull of Kintyre, or park in Southend and carry on by bike – turning round is barely possible along the way. The east coast road is best driven northbound in the morning, when less traffic from the Claonaig ferry is coming towards you.

### Stage 6: Carradale to Port Ellen (Islay) via Kennacraig (approx. 70 km)

- **The drive:** North on the B842 to Claonaig and across Kintyre on the B8001 to the Kennacraig ferry terminal, around 30 km with single-track sections. The CalMac ferry takes a good two hours through West Loch Tarbert and the Sound of Islay to Port Askaig – Port Ellen is currently not served because the pier is being rebuilt (reopening expected only in a few years, according to CalMac); check the current situation before booking. From Port Askaig to Port Ellen is around 33 km, and there is no shuttle. From Port Askaig take the A846 via Bridgend and Bowmore to Port Ellen on the south coast; between Bowmore and Port Ellen it is a straight, undulating road across the moor.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Skipness Castle and St Brendan’s Chapel near Claonaig: a 13th-century castle right on Kilbrannan Sound, a short detour before the ferry.
  - Sound of Islay: the ferry passes close to Jura, with views of the Paps of Jura and the distilleries on the shore near Port Askaig.
  - Bowmore: the round Kilarrow Church at the end of the main street and the island’s oldest distillery right on Loch Indaal.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Motorhome site on the edge of Port Ellen behind the filling station on the A846 (listed in directories as Port Ellen Motorhomestop), a few minutes’ drive from the old ferry pier: around a dozen hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up, WC, showers and water and waste disposal; booking is essential in summer, and check facilities and maximum vehicle length in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On Islay, parking at the roadside gives no right to stay overnight; the recommendation is to use official sites wherever possible. If you do end up at the roadside: avoid overcrowded spots, arrive late, leave early, leave no trace.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Book the ferry for motorhomes online well in advance, with exact length and height including bike rack – fares rise with length, and motorhomes over 12 m long or over 3.5 t fall under the commercial vehicle tariff and are booked by phone. Keep to the check-in deadline (usually 30 minutes before departure), or you may lose your space; Port Askaig is currently busier than usual. Declare gas bottles at check-in and keep them turned off, and check the current rules when booking. Fill up in Port Ellen: diesel on Islay costs more than on the mainland.

### Stage 7: Port Ellen to Port Charlotte (via Kildalton and Portnahaven) (approx. 80 km)

- **The drive:** From Port Ellen take the narrow road east past the three Kildalton distilleries to Kildalton church, then back and via the Low Road (B8016) or the A846 to Bowmore. Continue via Bridgend along the west side of Loch Indaal to Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte, and finally on the single-track A847 to the fishing village of Portnahaven and back. Many single-track sections, hardly any gradients; without sightseeing around 2 hours of pure driving time.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg: three distilleries within a few kilometres on the rocky south coast, with warehouses right by the water (book tours in advance).
  - Kildalton Cross: one of the best-preserved early Christian high crosses in Scotland, beside a ruined church at the end of the road.
  - Portnahaven: a white row of houses around a small bay where seals often lie on the rocks; in Port Charlotte, the Museum of Islay Life.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Port Mòr Centre and Campsite in Port Charlotte: pitches for tents, caravans and campers with electric hook-ups, toilets, showers, laundry, fresh water and a bistro; check season and dog rules in advance. No chemical toilet disposal point is listed there – empty yours in Port Ellen beforehand or ask on site.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** At the distilleries and at Kildalton church there are only small visitor car parks for daytime use. On the Rhinns of Islay the roads are narrow and the verges soft and peaty: do not pull onto the verge to park. Open fires are off limits on the peat ground – the fire risk is high.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The road to Kildalton is narrow and often lined with parked cars at the distilleries; it is better to drive early in the morning or visit the distilleries by bike. From Port Charlotte a detour to Machir Bay on the west coast, with Kilchoman distillery nearby, is worthwhile. Shopping is available in Bowmore (supermarket) and in small shops in Port Charlotte and Port Ellen.

### Stage 8: Port Charlotte to Oban (via Port Askaig and Kennacraig) (approx. 120 km)

- **The drive:** Via Bridgend on the A846 to Port Askaig and by ferry back to Kennacraig. North on the A83 to Lochgilphead and on the A816 through Kilmartin Glen and via Kilmelford to Oban: two lanes, winding, with narrow stretches along loch shores and some steep sections. Pure driving time on land around 2.5 hours, plus the crossing.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Finlaggan near Port Askaig: islets in Loch Finlaggan, once the seat of the Lords of the Isles, with ruins and a visitor centre.
  - Arduaine Garden on the A816 (National Trust for Scotland): a garden on Loch Melfort with rhododendrons and views of the islands.
  - Oban: harbour with ferries to the Hebrides and McCaig’s Tower above the town – views across the bay to Kerrera and Mull.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Oban Holiday Park at Gallanach, a few kilometres south-west of the town on the coast opposite Kerrera: pitches for motorhomes, electric hook-up, toilet and shower facilities, water and waste disposal (check season in advance). North of Oban at Benderloch is North Ledaig Caravan Site on the beach of Ardmucknish Bay.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Oban the car parks at the harbour and in the centre are not intended for motorhomes overnight, and you will find restrictions in many places. For overnight stays in town, the sites at Gallanach or Benderloch remain.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Jura as an extra day: from Port Askaig a small Argyll and Bute Council ferry crosses to Feolin in a few minutes, with no reservation; ask about your vehicle’s length and height beforehand. On Jura a single, mostly single-track road leads to Craighouse with its distillery and hotel; the track north to Barnhill is unsuitable for motorhomes. On the A816 before Oban, watch out for timber lorries.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- With the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, Scotland has an extensive right of access that also includes camping – but it expressly does not cover motorised vehicles, rooftop tents on vehicles included. Motorhomes have no blanket right to park up for the night; parking at the roadside is only possible where it is permitted, and signs (“No overnight parking”, “No motorhomes”) apply.
- Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park: in the Camping Management Zones (on this route, the west shore of Loch Lomond) overnight stays in a motorhome from 1 March to 30 September are only permitted with a permit in the designated areas (Firkin Point and Inveruglas on the west shore, plus Three Lochs Forest Drive in the Trossachs), a maximum of three nights in the same place, for a fee, online up to four weeks ahead. According to the national park authority, disposing of chemical toilet waste in the countryside is a criminal offence; the maximum penalty is high.
- With “Stay the Night”, Forestry and Land Scotland now allows overnight stays in selected forest car parks all year round (fewer car parks in winter) for a fee: one night from 6 pm to 10 am, only for vehicles with their own toilet used inside (on this route, for example at Ardgartan). Passing places, access to fields and forest tracks, and beaches and dunes are off limits.
- On Islay the island information recommends using official sites; parking at the roadside is no right to stay overnight. Useful apps and directories: park4night, Campercontact, the site lists of the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club, and islayinfo.com. In autumn many small sites close – check the season in advance.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Waste disposal (Elsan points) is available at most campsites; public stations are rare. On this route: the free national park station at Tarbet (Loch Lomond) and the motorhome site in Port Ellen. On Kintyre and in Knapdale you depend on campsites. Never empty grey water into ditches, onto car parks or into drains.
- Tap water in Scotland is drinkable; British taps often have different threads – bring an adapter set and a length of hose with a universal connector. Electricity on campsites is usually via CEE plugs (blue, 230 V); a long cable helps on small sites.
- Gas: Calor and Campingaz bottles are common in the United Kingdom; German exchange bottles are not swapped, and Calor bottles are not refilled. Autogas (LPG) is hard to find in Argyll and on Islay – set off from the Glasgow area with full bottles or a full tank. Declare gas bottles at check-in on CalMac ferries and keep them turned off; check the current rules when booking.
- Filling stations and supermarkets are in Lochgilphead, Tarbert, Campbeltown, Bowmore and Port Ellen; not on the minor roads of Knapdale and the east coast of Kintyre. Arrive on Islay with a full tank and top up with diesel before the gauge drops below half.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Entry: Great Britain is not in the EU. EU citizens generally need a passport and an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), £20 since 8 April 2026, usually valid for two years, for each person individually. Carry your vehicle registration document, proof of insurance and a nationality sticker; check with your insurer whether a Green Card is needed. Importing meat and dairy products from the EU has been banned since 2025. Dogs and cats need a microchip, a rabies vaccination (with waiting period) and an EU pet passport, which is recognised in Great Britain (an animal health certificate only if there is no pet passport); dogs also need tapeworm treatment by a vet 24 to 120 hours before arrival, entered in the passport – exempt only when arriving directly from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway.
- Driving on the left and single-track roads: roundabouts go clockwise, and traffic from the right has priority. Adjust headlights with beam deflectors. On single-track roads, pull into passing places on the left; if the passing place is on the right, wait opposite it; let following traffic pass, and never park or take photos in passing places. Sheep and cattle often stand on the road; cross cattle grids slowly.
- Speed limits (mph): motorhomes up to 3.05 t unladen weight 60 mph on single carriageways, 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways; heavier motorhomes 50 mph, 60 mph and 70 mph respectively; caravan outfits 50 mph on single carriageways, 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways. In towns usually 30 mph, sometimes 20 mph. Dimensions for UK-registered motorhomes: up to 12 m long and 2.55 m wide, no fixed height limit (from 3 m high, a notice in the cab); watch out for height barriers at car parks.
- Alcohol: the limit in Scotland is 0.5 per mille (50 mg per 100 ml of blood) – on a distillery route, the most important point. Mobile phones at the wheel only hands-free. Winter tyres are not compulsory. There are no tolls on this route. Glasgow has a Low Emission Zone in the city centre (petrol from Euro 4, diesel from Euro 6, fine for violations); check your vehicle in advance with Transport Scotland’s checker or avoid the city centre.
- Ferries: book the CalMac Kennacraig–Islay ferry for motorhomes online early; motorhomes (registered as a motorhome in the vehicle documents) pay according to length bands up to 12 m; over 12 m long or over 3.5 t the commercial vehicle tariff applies. Converted panel vans that CalMac does not recognise as motorhomes pay the van tariff. Vehicles are measured at the terminal. Check-in deadline for vehicles is usually 30 minutes before departure. Port Ellen is currently not served because the pier is being rebuilt, and all sailings go to Port Askaig – check the situation before booking. The A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful can be closed at short notice after heavy rain; check the status on Traffic Scotland.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- A printout of the CalMac booking and a note with the exact vehicle dimensions including rear rack – at the Kennacraig terminal you are directed into lanes by length and height, and there is not always a signal there.
- Tide table (app or printout) for the shingle causeway to Davaar Island and for beach walks on the west coast of Kintyre.
- Midge head net and insect repellent such as Smidge: on still evenings on Loch Fyne and in Knapdale, the Highland midges are a plague from May to September.
- Water adapter set for British taps and two full gas bottles from the mainland – LPG is practically unavailable on Islay and in Kintyre.
- Binoculars for seals at Portnahaven, otters on the shores of Loch Fyne and geese on Loch Indaal.
- Waterproof shoes and rain gear: the paths to the lighthouse on the Mull of Kintyre and in Kilmartin Glen are wet and muddy after rain.

_As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [CalMac – Port Ellen temporary closure (Service changes)](https://www.calmac.co.uk/travel/service-changes/port-ellen-closure/)
- [CalMac – How do you charge for vehicles? (FAQ)](https://www.calmac.co.uk/faqs/tickets-and-reservations/how-do-you-charge-for-vehicles/)
- [CalMac – Route information Kennacraig – Port Askaig](https://www.calmac.co.uk/route-information/kennacraig-port-askaig/)
- [Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park – Motorhomes and campervans in the National Park](https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/things-to-do/camping/motorhomes-campervans-national-park/)
- [Forestry and Land Scotland – Stay the Night offering year-round welcome following successful winter trial (12/2024)](https://forestryandland.gov.scot/media-centre/press-releases/fls-stay-the-night-offering-year-round-welcome-to-visitors-following-successful-winter-trial)
- [Forestry and Land Scotland – Ardgartan (Argyll Forest Park)](https://www.forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/argyll-forest-park/ardgartan)
- [Transport Scotland – A83 Taskforce meeting minutes 12 March 2026, Part 1: Rest and Be Thankful](https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/a83-taskforce-meeting-minutes-12-march-2026/part-1-a83-rest-and-be-thankful/)
- [Traffic Scotland – A83 Rest and Be Thankful traffic lights to be removed for summer (2026)](https://www.traffic.gov.scot/travel-news/projects-and-events/a83-rest-and-be-thankful-traffic-lights-be-removed-summer)
- [GOV.UK – Speed limits](https://gov.uk/speed-limits)
- [Campercontact – Port Ellen Motorhomestop](https://www.campercontact.com/de/vereinigtes-konigreich/schottland/isle-of-islay/68974/port-ellen-motorhomestop.md)
- [Islay Info – Port Ellen](https://www.islayinfo.com/about-islay/key-places/port-ellen)

## Which stops are on the route from Glasgow to Oban?

1. **Glasgow** (United Kingdom)
2. **Balloch** (United Kingdom)
3. **Arrochar** (United Kingdom)
4. **Inveraray** (United Kingdom)
5. **Kilmartin** (United Kingdom)
6. **Crinan** (United Kingdom)
7. **Tarbert** (United Kingdom)
8. **Campbeltown** (United Kingdom)
9. **Machrihanish** (United Kingdom)
10. **Kennacraig** (United Kingdom)
11. **Port Ellen** (United Kingdom)
12. **Port Charlotte** (United Kingdom)
13. **Portnahaven** (United Kingdom)
14. **Oban** (United Kingdom)

## When is the best time for the route from Glasgow to Oban?

No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. Cold, short days in January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## What should you know before driving the route from Glasgow to Oban?

No motorway tolls or vignettes expected for a car.

- **United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels.** Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.
- **Glasgow → Balloch.** Channel crossing: ferry or Eurotunnel
- **Arrochar → Inveraray.** Channel crossing: ferry or Eurotunnel
- **Inveraray → Kilmartin.** Channel crossing: ferry or Eurotunnel
- **Kilmartin → Crinan.** Channel crossing: ferry or Eurotunnel
- **Crinan → Tarbert.** Channel crossing: ferry or Eurotunnel
- **Portnahaven → Oban.** Channel crossing: ferry or Eurotunnel

## FAQs

**How long is Peat smoke, stone circles and seal bays – by camper through Argyll, down Kintyre and over to Islay?**
8-day road trip of about 1,046 km (650 mi) with 14 stops, from Glasgow to Oban. About 14 h 27 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Peat smoke, stone circles and seal bays – by camper through Argyll, down Kintyre and over to Islay?**
We suggest 8 days: about 14 h 27 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Peat smoke, stone circles and seal bays – by camper through Argyll, down Kintyre and over to Islay start and end?**
It starts in Glasgow and ends in Oban.

**Which countries does Peat smoke, stone circles and seal bays – by camper through Argyll, down Kintyre and over to Islay pass through?**
United Kingdom.

**Where can you camp along Peat smoke, stone circles and seal bays – by camper through Argyll, down Kintyre and over to Islay?**
OpenStreetMap lists 82 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Milarrochy Bay Camping And Caravanning Club Site, Drymen Camping and Luss Caravan & Camp Site.