Last updated: July 2026
Scotland’s west coast and its islands offer some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe — a world of sea lochs, mountains, white beaches, wildlife and whisky. A week is just enough to sample the best of it. This 7-day West Coast itinerary runs from Glasgow out to the Hebrides and back, as a relaxed self-drive loop that balances big-hitting sights with time to breathe. Adapt it freely to your own pace and interests.
Before you go
This route involves ferries, so book car crossings and island accommodation well ahead, especially in summer. Build in a buffer for weather-related ferry disruption, use a designated driver on distillery days, and expect single-track roads that are slower than the mileage suggests. It can also be done largely by public transport — see Scotland without a car.
Day 1: Glasgow to Oban via Loch Lomond & Inveraray
Leave Glasgow and head north along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, then over the dramatic “Rest and be Thankful” pass into Argyll. Stop at Inveraray, with its fairytale castle and historic jail on the shore of Loch Fyne, before continuing to Oban for the night. Overnight: Oban.
Day 2: Oban to the Isle of Mull
Explore Oban — climb to McCaig’s Tower, tour the town-centre distillery, and enjoy the town’s famous seafood. Then take the 45-minute ferry to the Isle of Mull, driving north to colourful Tobermory. Overnight: Mull.
Day 3: Mull, Iona & Staffa
Spend the day exploring Mull’s wildlife — keep an eye out for eagles and otters — and cross from Fionnphort to the sacred Isle of Iona, or take a boat trip to Staffa and Fingal’s Cave. Overnight: Mull.
Day 4: Mull to Islay
Return to the mainland and drive south through Argyll and down the Kintyre peninsula to Kennacraig, for the ferry to Islay, the whisky island (alternatively, fly from Glasgow if you prefer to skip the drive). Overnight: Islay.
Day 5: Islay’s south shore
Tour the peaty legends of the Kildalton coast — Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Ardbeg — walkable together, using our ranking of the best Islay distilleries. Overnight: Islay.
Day 6: Islay’s west & north
Visit Bowmore, Bruichladdich and Kilchoman, and relax on the wild sands of Machir Bay — or take the short ferry to explore wild Jura. Overnight: Islay.
Day 7: Islay back to Glasgow
Ferry back to Kintyre and drive north through Argyll to complete the loop — perhaps pausing on the Kintyre peninsula, at Loch Fyne for oysters, or beside Loch Lomond — before returning to Glasgow.
Where to stay along the route
This itinerary uses Oban (night 1), Mull (nights 2–3) and Islay (nights 4–6) as bases. All three have a good range of hotels, guesthouses and self-catering, but island accommodation is limited and books out early in summer, so reserve as far ahead as you can.
Variations on the route
- Add Skye: with 10 days, continue north from Oban to Fort William, Glencoe and the Isle of Skye before looping back.
- Swap Islay for more of Mull: if whisky is not your focus, spend longer on Mull, Iona and the wildlife.
- Add Kintyre or Gigha: break the return journey with a night on the Kintyre peninsula or a hop to the Isle of Gigha.
- Slow it down: drop one island and give the others more time — the west coast rewards a gentle pace.
When to go
May, June and September are ideal — long days, better weather and fewer crowds than the July–August peak. Ferries run a fuller timetable in summer; winter is dramatic but many island businesses close and daylight is short. See the best time to visit Scotland for more, and browse our wider Scotland itineraries.
What you will see along the way
This route is a feast of west-coast scenery. Expect brooding sea lochs and the mountains of Argyll, the island crossings with their salt air and seabirds, and the ever-changing Hebridean light that has drawn artists for generations. Wildlife is a constant companion: keep an eye out for eagles over the hills of Mull, otters and seals along the shores, red deer on the moors, and — on boat trips and even from the ferries — dolphins, porpoises and whales. On Islay, the beaches and bird reserves add another dimension entirely.
Budget and practical tips
A west-coast island trip need not break the bank, but a few things are worth budgeting for: ferry fares (cheaper for foot passengers), distillery tours (typically modest, with premium tastings costing more), and island accommodation, which is limited and priced accordingly in summer. Save money by self-catering, using foot-passenger ferries with island buses, and travelling in the shoulder seasons of May, June and September. Fuel is pricier and sparser on the islands, so fill up on the mainland and in the main towns.
Making it your own
The beauty of this loop is its flexibility. Whisky lovers can linger on Islay; wildlife enthusiasts can give Mull more time; and anyone with an extra few days can bolt on Jura, Kintyre and Gigha, or extend north to Glencoe and Skye. Treat the seven-day framework as a starting point, build in slack for the weather and the ferries, and resist the urge to cram in too much — the west coast is best savoured slowly.
This guide is part of our complete Argyll & the Isles travel guide — browse islands, itineraries, distilleries, beaches and castles across the region.
Frequently asked questions
Is a week enough for Scotland’s west coast?
Yes — seven days lets you combine Oban, Mull and Islay with the lochs of Argyll, though you could easily spend longer or add Skye with 10 days.
Do you need a car for this itinerary?
A car gives the most flexibility, but the route can also be done using ferries, coaches and island transport, with guided tours filling the gaps.
Where does the west coast itinerary start?
Glasgow, with its international airport and easy access to Loch Lomond and Argyll.
How many ferries are involved?
Typically two return crossings — Oban to Mull, and Kennacraig to Islay — so book car spaces ahead, especially in summer.
Can you add Skye to this route?
Yes — with 10 days you can extend north from Oban via Fort William and Glencoe to Skye before looping back to Glasgow.
