Planning Your Time

You could easily spend a week exploring the islands alone, so consider spending at least a few nights in this region. Argyll and some island excursions make pleasant and easy side trips from Glasgow and Loch Lomond. Driving anywhere here takes a little longer than you'd think, so allow ample travel time. A leisurely day will take you to Inveraray, its castle, and the surrounding gardens (don't miss the folk museum at Auchindrain). From there you can drive on to Ardrossan and take the ferry to Arran. Spend the night and see the gardens and Brodick Castle before returning to Kennacraig to take the ferry for Islay and Jura. Two or three days here will give you a sense of the history and varied landscapes of these stunning islands—and time for a distillery or two. If time is a constraint, begin in Oban and sail to Mull, returning the same day or the next to take in the Sea Life Centre. And if you can, drive around Loch Awe on your way back to Glasgow.

Plan ahead: ferries fill up in the summer months, and some of the smaller islands are served only once or twice a week. Bear in mind that it is not easy to find places to eat after 8:30 pm at any time of year—though you can usually find a place that will sell you a whisky.