West Coast 400

The West Coast 400

This concept is to follow a 400 mile route around the West Coast of Scotland, as a whole or in stages. You will be able to explore, admire and enjoy the stunning scenery, amazing nature, delicious food, heritage and warm welcome this amazing area has to offer.

Route exploring options

Central 400 - Stay centrally and explore each day

Based in the area around stage 5 choose your accommodation from luxury hotel, self catering, caravan, micro lodge or bunkhouse. Stage 5 puts you within 1 hour of each stage - explore from here.

Explore 400 - Stage per day, explore and play

Use the site to plan your adventure and stay flexible. Choose to stay longer at locations you love, plan the trip at your pace.

Luxury 400 - Drive, Stay and Eat gourmet

Complete a stage or two then stay at one of the numerous award winning overnight venues. Eat amazing food in the restaurants and bars and relax ready for the next day's amazing choices.

More Information sources

www.heartofargyll.com/

http://www.exploreargyll.co.uk/

www.argyllsecretcoast.co.uk/

The 15 stages are all below or click on each stage in the side bar to go directly to that page. If you have limited internet while travelling a Pdf of these pages can be obtained by Clicking Here

The West Coast 400 is an idea devised by Andy Craven and is designed to be an information source for exploring the West Coast of Scotland between Campbeltown to the South and Oban to the North. Any references are from personal experiences and are correct at the time of posting. Please forward any discrepancies to the email on the post. Links and recommendations are not funded or paid for and it is hoped that we can build a valuable source of information for visitors and locals to enjoy the route.

Central 400

Central 400 - Stay centrally and explore each day

Based in the area around stage 5 choose your accommodation from luxury hotel, self catering, caravan, micro lodge or bunkhouse. Accommodation in Stages 5, 4 and 10 put you within 1 hour of any stage - stay centrally and explore from here.

Use the following links to access information about places to stay & eat and the stages where you can explore from centrally.

Stay & Eat Options

Stage 5 - quick link

Stage 4 - quick link

Stage 10 - quick link

Links & other points of interest

Stage 1 - Tarbet, Glen Croe, Loch Eck

From Tarbet, Loch Lommond follow the A83 West to Arrochar, Ardgarten, Glen Croe, Rest and Be Thankful.

Two road options from here - The main A83 / A815 or a scenic valley route B828 then along Hell's Glen the B839 both bring you towards St Catherine's popular again for fishing.

At Strachur follow the A815 south where there are numerous picnic sites and viewpoints across Loch Eck.

Dunoon to the south has all the facilities of a small town including leisure centre and a River Clyde ferry that could be used to create a 1 day loop back into the Glasgow area.

Stage 1 Online map

Loch Eck, Glen Finnart, Loch Long, Ardentinny and Strone circular addition route are on the map below.
Dunoon is to the south :-

Links and other points of interest

Argyll's secret coast -

www.argyllsecretcoast.co.uk/

Tarbet - Tarbet Tearoom

Tarbet 30 zone is popular with speed checks

Train access via the Tarbet / Arrochar station (Glasgow / Oban / Fort William)

Arrochar - The Village Inn

01301 702279

Scenic viewpoint across to The Cobbler

Just before Arrochar village, layby on the left

Arrochar - Ben Arthur's Bothy

01301 702241

On the left in the village

Shops

Fuel filling station

James Mactavish Service Station Arrochar

The Garage, Arrochar G83 7AJ, UK

01301 702217

Camping site - Arrochar

Glen Loin House, Camp Site

Glenloin House, Arrochar G83 7AJ, UK

01301 702239

Walks and parking

On the left at the head of the loch. Glen Loin

On the left at Succoth for Ben Arthur and forest trails

Holday site - Ardgarten

This is on road maps as caravan and camping but only has forest lodges.
Forest Holidays Ardgartan Argyll, Ardgartan, Arrochar, Argyll & Bute, Arrochar G83 7AR, UK

0333 011 0495

www.forestholidays.co.uk

Walks and forest trails

Just off the main road at Ardgarten

Honeymoon bridge walks and parking

West up Glen Croe then on the right.

Glen Croe

has rock climbing, walking and leads to an amazing view point known as The Rest and Be Thankful where refreshments can often be bought in the car park.

Rest and Be Thankful

Car park, scenic viewpoint and snack trailer. Stunning views

Loch Restil

Overnight parking

Butterbridge and Glen Kinglas walks

Parking and walks

Hells' Glen

Alternative route to the main road

Strachur

Shop, Cafe, Filling station, LPG

Glenbranter

Forestry walks and cycle routes

Loch Eck picnic and parking sites

Stunning views and quite parking locations

Puck's Glen

Steep and pretty glenside walk

Benmore gardens

Botanic gardens and grounds

Ardentinny detour route

See the inset map above

Cot house service station and fuel

Kilmun, Dunoon PA23 8QT. Phone: 01369 840333

Cot House Caravan Park

Sandbank Road Allonby, Kilmun By Dunoon PA23 8QS, UK
01369 840351
www.cothousecaravanparkdunoon.co.uk
Holy Loch Inn a few minutes away in Sandbank
Allow campervans to stop over in car park as long as you use the pub for food and or drink.
PA23 8PJ. 01369 706903

Stage 2 - Dunoon, Cowal, Kyles of Bute &Tighnabruaich

The B836 along Glen Lean takes you up to the Loch Tarsan reservoir before dropping down to Loch Striven. The road climbs again before meeting the A886.

North on the A886 takes you into the Glendaruel valley with camping and several sites of historical interest.

Our route picks up the A8003 towards Tighnabruaich. As the road climbs there is an amazing scenic viewpoint - grid NS 000 775 down on to Loch Riddon and the Kyles of Bute.

Links & other points of interest.

Exploring Holy Loch and viewing the many species of birdlife would be a great start to this section.

Cot house Filling staion

Last one for a while - at the A815 / A880 junction north of Dunoon

The Cowal way has numerous sections nearby

South would take you to Colintraive and a possible detour to the Isle of Bute.

Colintraive hotel

01700 841207

Kilmodan Stones - Glendaruel

Camping in Glendaruel

Glendaruel, By Colintraive PA22 3AB

Phone: 01369 820267

Cycling in West Glendaruel

Tighnabruaich has local facilities and the road south down the peninsula has great views, picnic spots and walks.

Royal an Lochan Hotel

01700 811239

Kames Hotel

01700 811489

Tighnabruaich Sailing school

Tighnabruaich PA21 2AH

Phone: 01700 811717

Portavadie marina would be a great stop on the Drive, Stay and Eat option.

Millhouse, Portavadie, Loch Fyne PA21 2DA

Phone: 01700 811075 http://www.portavadie.com

- Clyde ferries to Dunoon can bring you straight into this stage

- Portavadie to Tarbert can take you directly to Tarbert - stage 5

Stage 3 - South Loch Fyne - Portavadie, Otter Ferry, Strachur

From Tighnabruaich either head south around the peninsula or east to the Millhouse cross roads.

At the junction an option exists to visit the Portavadie Marina complex. This would also give you an option to jump straight to Stage 5 (Lochgilphead & Tarbert) via the short ferry crossing.

Our stage follows the B8000 north to Otter Ferry, Castle Lachan, and Strachur re joining the A886 north to the Junction of the A83.

West on the A83 takes us through Cairndow and to the head of Loch Fyne where there are shops, The Fyne Ales brewery and the famous Loch Fyne Oyster bar.

Stage 3 Online Map

Links and other points of interest

Drive south from Tighnabruaich

Around the scenic peninsula, beaches, parking, picnics

Tighnabruaich Sailing School

Tighnabruaich PA21 2AH

Phone: 01700 811717

Portavadie Marina, Restaurants & Leisure

Millhouse, Portavadie, Loch Fyne PA21 2DA

Phone: 01700 811075

Kilfinan Hotel

Kilfinan, Nr Tighnabruaich PA21 2EP

Phone: 01700 821201

Kilfinan road

Several amazing scenic views west to Loch Fyne and Knapdale

Oystercatcher Inn

Otter Ferry, Tighnabruaich PA21 2DH

Phone: 01700 821229

Lachan Road

North to Castle Lachan with scenic views to Loch Fyne

Castle Lachan

Scenic walks

Inver Cottage restaurant near Castle Lachan

Award winning food. Stracthlachlan, Strachur PA27 8BU

Phone: 01369 860537

Strachur

Local facilities, fuel, shop, cafe, LPG

Creggans Inn

Cairndow PA27 8BX

Wildlife - Gannets diving for fish May - September

Stage 4 - North Loch Fyne

Main route - A83 south west to Inveraray, then on to Furnace, Minard and Lochgair finishing in Lochgilphead.

Stage 4 Online map

Links and other points of interest.

Ardkinglas Woodland gardens

Just off the main A83 at Cairndow

Parking and walking in Glen Fyne.

Turning at the Glen Fyne Bridge also to access -

Fyne Ales Shop and Bar

Walking - 2 routes

- Treehouse walk

- Viewpoint walk

For both of these park on the shop / Loch Fyne car park and follow the signs

Loch Fyne Oysters

Eat in or take away seafood and local specialities

Treeshop and other shops

Accessed from the same car park

Walking - Glen Shira

Parking and walks 2 miles before Inveraray

Scenic viewpoint - Inveraray Castle

From the road bridge - park at the lay-by

Inveraray Castle

Inveraray Jail

Inveraray shops

Great collection of shops selling all manner of goods

The George Hotel

A favourite with locals and tourists alike. Great food and athmosphere

Argyll Adventure

Two miles west on the A83

Auchindrain museum

Open air seasonally open museum

Detour route - The Leacainn Forest drive to Loch Awe - this would link directly to stage 10

Lovely driving route and parking over to Loch Awe leading to stage 10.

pdf map link

Furnace village

Licensed Store and walks

Roadside layby and viewpoints

The Leacainn walk is a circular route from Furnce to the museum at Auchindrain

Quarry point cafe

Cafe, garden centre and fishing at the nearby stone pier

Crarae gardens

National Trust gardens

Minard Village

Shop and viewpoints across Loch Fyne

Ardcastle and Glashan forest walks

Forestry commision walks, cycling and parking

Lochgair

Hotel and local lochside walks

Port Ann forest walks

Kilmory woodland park

Port Ann and Kilmory offer woodland and forestry walks to some great viewpoints

Gannets diving for fish May - September

Watch out for these pure white birds circling and then diving at speed for fish in the late spring and summer months.

Stage 5 - Lochgilphead, Tarbert

This stage follows the A83 south from Lochgilphead through Ardrishaig, Inverneil and into Tarbert.

Stage 5 Online map

Links and other points of interest
Heart of Argyll Tourism Alliance
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Gannets diving for fish May - September
Port Ann - Forest and Coastal walks
4 miles East towards Inveraray on the A83 - Scenic walks
Kilmory woodland park & gardens
Park at the council offices - Scenic woodland walks and gardens
Empire Travel Lodge - Lochgilphead
Union St, Lochgilphead PA31 8JS
Phone: 01546 602381
Stonefield Castle hotel - Tarbert
A83, Tarbert PA29 6YJ
Phone: 01880 820836
The Grey gull - Ardrishaig
Glenburn Rd, Ardrishaig PA30 8EU
Phone: 01546 606017
Cairnbaan Hotel - Cairnbaan
Cairnbaan, Lochgilphead PA31 8SQ
Phone: 01546 603668
Starfish Restaurant - Tarbert
Castle St, Tarbert PA29 6UH
Phone: 01880 820733
Menu: starfishtarbert.com
Smiddy - Lochgilphead
Smithy La, Lochgilphead PA31 8TA
Phone:01546 603606
Rumblin Tums - Ardrishaig
87 Chalmers St, Ardrishaig, Lochgilphead PA30 8DX
Phone: 01546 606039
Yot Spot food, shop & gallery - Ardrishaig
Pier Square, Ardrishaig PA30 8DZ
Phone: 01546 602777
Venture West boat trips
Crinan also Tayvallich
PA31 8SW 07789 071188
Walking - Blarbuie woodlands
Park at the hospital car park, follow the signs
Murray Smoked Products - local seafood and shellfish
32 Argyll St, Lochgilphead PA31 8NE
Square Peg gift shops
Colchester Square, Lochgilphead PA31 8LH
Phone:01546 602445
Fyne Tackle- fishing, games sports & country clothing
5 Argyll St, Lochgilphead PA31 8LZ
Phone: 01546 606878
Lochgilphead caravan park
Bank Park, Lochgilphead PA31 8NX
Phone: 01546 602003
Crinan canal cycling and walks
Numerous locations to park then cycle, walk or run.
Riverside filling station
Oban Rd, Lochgilphead PA31 8NG
Phone: 01546 603858
Fuel, LPG, Food, 7 Day Cafe
Mid Argyll Community Pool
Oban Rd, Lochgilphead PA31 8NG
Phone: 01546 606676
Walking - 39 Steps
Walk through scenic glen to viewpoints over Loch Fyne. Start Grid NR850846, half a mile south of canal swing bridge.
Scenic Beach - Inverneil
Scenic views - West Loch Fyne
From Inverneil A83 southbound there are numerous scenic views to Arran, West Loch Fyne, Kilfinan and north towards the hill around Oban
Scenic view and beach - The White Shore - Tarbert
Walk from the harbour to this stunning secluded beach

Stage 6 - Kintyre East & Campbeltown

From the A83 turn on to the B8001 and initially follow this to Skipness.

Venturing south from Skipness is a single track and narrow road with some steep hills and corners.

Back - track slightly to then follow the B842 south to Carradale and Campbeltown

Stage 6 Online map

Links & other points of interest.

Amazing photographic scenery

As you come down the hill on the B8001 looking towards Arran.

Skipness village

Has a licensed shop and seasonally open Seafood cabin.

Otters are regularly seen on this section of coastline

The Skipness area has walking and exploring at many beaches, castle, chapel and the Kintyre way.

Wildlife

Skipness road - Otters, Divers, Buzzards, Seals, Gannets diving.

Gannets

from Ailsa Craig moving north and diving for fish, visible the whole route from March - September

Kintyre way walking and cycling

All along this road the Kintyre way meets and then leaves inland. Lots of walking, running and cycling choices

The road south

has great views, plenty of parking, lay-bys and walking options, stunning beaches.

Walk and viewpoint south of Claonaig :-

Grogport

picnic site and stunning beach

Carradale

has local facilities, shop, hotel, public campsite, beaches and walks.

Saddell Abbey

Saddell Abbey was a Cistercian monastery in Argyll, Scotland, founded in 1207

Antony Gormley Sculpture & Beach walk

Saddell Bay, drive and park down the road on the opposite side to the Abbey

Ifferdale farmed Lamb, Farm & Bunkhouse

ifferdalefarm.co.uk

Views to Ailsa Craig on the south section of the road

Wildlife

Southern section for Hen Harriers

Campbeltown

is large town will all the facilities you would expect. The next filling station for fuel after Campbeltown is 26 miles to Clachan then 53 miles to Lochgilphead.

Stage 7 - Southend, Gigha & Kintyre West

An optional detour south can take us to Southend before heading back towards Campbltown and then up the A83. We then follow the route back to Tarbert.

Stage 7 Online map

Stage 8 - Kilberry & Knapdale South

Here we leave the A83 for a while and follow the B8024 coastal route which will bring us back to the main road close to Inverneil.

Links and other points of interest.

Red deer in the enclosures between Tarbert and Torinturk on the left side of the road

Forest walks at Torinturk

Rock and beach caves south of Kilberry

Kilberry village and standing stones

Port Ban camping

Seal spotting at Loch Caolisport

St Columbas cave and chapel

Stage 9 - Knapdale North - Loch Sween, Tayvallich, Keils

From Lochgilphead take the A816 north towards Oban and after a couple of miles turn onto the A841 following the Crinan canal.

Take the next left on the B8025, then another left at the war memorial. This roads leads down Loch Sween to a dead end with plenty to see on the way.

On the return turn left at the war memorial to explore Tayvallich, Carsaig and Keils.

Stage 9 online Map

Links and points of interest

Cairnbann hotel on the Crinan canal.

At the A816, B841 junction

Walking, cycling and fishing on the canal.

Fishing does not require a specific permit

Laybys and overnight parking spots along the canal

Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation center - Barr an Daimph

Visit the website for opening times and details of guided walks and events in the area

Venture West boat trips
Crinan also Tayvallich

PA31 8SW 07789 071188

Scottish Beaver Trial

Information from Heart of Argyll Wildlife, above or from the visitor center (map above)

Castle Sween

Left at the war memorial, follow the road to the Castle and Kilmory knap beach

Kilmory Knap beach

Caol Scotnish loch and picnic area

On the Tayvallich road just before the village

Tayvallich

Tayvallich coffee shop

Tayvallich PA31 8PJ

Phone: 01546 870281

Tayvallich Inn

Address: Tayvallich, Lochgilphead PA31 8PN

Hours: 12–11pm

Phone: 01546 870282

Menu: tayvallichinn.com

Jura passenger ferry

March 29th until September 25th 2017

NO TUESDAY SAILINGS

Call 07768 450000

Advance booking required

Leachive Camping, Caravan and Microlodges

http://www.leachive.co.uk/ 01546 870206

Carsaig bay and views to Jura

Turn right in Tayvallich and follow the road for about a mile

Taynish peninsula walks and mill

After Tayvallich turn right and follow the signs

Keils chapel

Keils peninsula walks & wildlife spotting.

Follow the B8025 to the end of the peninsula.

Stage 10 - Crinan, Kilmartin, Craignish

Follow the B841 to the end of the road and explore Crinan.

Take the B8025 North until it meets and rejoins the A83 north towards Oban

Explore Kilmartin and at the B8002 junction turn left to explore the Craignish peninsula.

Links and other points of interest

Venture West boat trips
Crinan also Tayvallich
PA31 8SW 07789 071188

Scenic viewpoints - Crinan canal
- looking west as far as Scarba & Mull
Add Bridge for wildlife
Wildlife hide - River Add
Bellanoch - The Estuary, Crinan & Kilmartin viewpoint

Crinan ferry
Crinan village - west
Crinan harbour and lock
Crinan hotel
Crinan mature woodland walk
Moine Mhor
Birdlife - Moine Mhor
Crinan ferry east
Crinan ferry beach
Temple wood
Kilmartin Glen
Kilmartin museum
Kilmartin museum cafe
Carnassarie castle
Detour to Loch Awe
Detour circular route to stage 4 via Leacainn drive
Walking - forestry route to Ford
Barbreck farm & meats
Barbreck woodland walks
Ardfern facilities
Galley of Lorne Inn
Ardfern motorhome site
Craignish chapel
Jura viewpoint scenic car park and walks

Stage 11 - Kilmelford, Seil, Luing

The A83 north continues past marinas, gardens, rocky beaches and comes into Kilmelford.

At Kilninver take the detour left on to the B844 to visit the Atlantic bridge and the Isle of Seil.

A further detour maybe to the island of Luing

The road continues North to Oban

Craobh haven marina & shops
The Lord of the Isles inn
Scenic viewpoint and lay-by north of Craobh overlooking Luing
Car park and viewpoint and Sea Kayak trail checkpoint
Arduine gardens
Coastal viewpoint
Loch Melfort hotel
Kilmelford village store & hotel
The Atlantic bridge - Clachan-Seil
Isle of Seil
Easdale island
Detour route to explore Luing
Loch Feochan wildlife and scenic viewpoints

Stage 12 - Oban

Oban has a minimum of two to three days exploring. It also acts as the ferry gateway to many further adventures.

Shops, facilities, fuel, LPG, supermarkets, ferry
Isle of Kerrera
Ganavan beach and walks
Dunollie castle and ground
Barran a Fhraoich viewpoint east of the town
Harbour and seafood shops
Distillery
McCaig's tower
Rail network access to Glasgow
Bus access to Glasgow / Fort William
Museums
Leisure center

Stage 13 - Loch Etive, Loch Awe

The A85 going east in the next stage of the journey.

Initially following Loch Etive you'll go through the Pass of Brander to be alongside Loch Awe and head towards Dalmally.

Falls of Lora - Connell
Benderloch beaches and walks
Walking Beinn Lora
Kilmaronag islands - roadside birdlife and wildlife spotting
Taynuilt
Taynuilt hotel
Airds bay wildlife, viewpoint and picnic areas
Bonawe ironworks
Inverawe smokery
Brander lodge
Awe barrage - wildlife spotting
Walking - Ben Cruachan
Cruachan visitor centre and cafe
Loch Awe - parking, viewpoints, wildlife spotting, fishing
Loch Awe village facilities
St Conans kirk - historic church
Kilchurn castle
Dalmally

Stage 14 - Glen Orchy, Bridge of Orchy, Tyndrum

After the A85 passes through Dalmally take a left turn off the main road onto the B8074.

This will lead you up Glen Orchy, eventually meeting the A82 where a short left detour brings us to the Bridge of Orchy.

Backtrack down the A82 south to reach Tyndrum

Dalmally
Glen Orchy
River Orchy fishing
River Orchy adventure sports - whitewater rafting
Picnic site and car parks, scenic views
Bridge or Orchy hotel and eating
Loch Tulla scenic viewpoints and photography
Detour route through Glencoe and return south to Oban
West Highland way sections
Rail links at Bridge of Orchy
Tyndrum
Green Welly Stop - shops and eating
Fuel, shops, camping, accomodation

Stage 15 - Crianlarich, Glen Falloch, Inverulglas

Tyndrum south on the A82 brings us to Crianlarich and then continues south in the direction of Glasgow.

Glen Falloch brings us to Inverarnan, Inveruglas and back to Tarbet at the A83 junction.

Tyndrum - Local facilities
Wigwam accomodation - Strathfillan
West Highland way walking sections
Crianlarich - Local facilities
Walking Ben More
Crianlarich station coffee shop & eating
Glen Falloch scenic drive
Falls of Falloch scenic viewpoint & walks
Inverarnan camping
Scenic view to waterfalls to the east
The Drovers Inn - Inverarnan
Ardlui hotels & marina
Pulpit rock scenic viewpoint
Inveruglas viewpoints
Tarbet island viewpoint, picnics and walks