Scotland 4-nighter
 

My German friends wanted to do a Scotland trip, and at first they had a week, but now only 4 nights, mid-July. In and out of Glasgow airport. They insist on seeing Loch Ness (I know, I know - - you don't have to tell me.)

Any suggestions or ornate embellishments on the following are appreciated; trying to limit time in the car down to under 3 hours/day if possible:
* Pick them up at Glasgow airport; drive northwest past Loch Lomond, taking a scenic route through Inverary up to Oban; night in OBAN;
* Drive up along Loch Ness, maybe as far as Urquhart Castle; drive back down and spend the night in FORT WILLIAM;
* Drive east through Glencoe to STIRLING for the night.
* Pop down to GLASGOW for an afternoon evening (this is the night of the World Cup final, I might add).
Then drop the car and fly off from Glasgow airport the next day.

If it was me I'd book two nights in Glen Coe village and do something like the following:

Day 1 - GLA to Glencoe via Loch Ness and Glen Etive. This will be a stunning introduction to the western Highlands. Overnight Glencoe village.

Day 2 - Drive to Urquahart Castle, then back down the Great Glen to the Road to the Isles, stop at Glenfinnan. Overnight back in Glencoe.

Day 3 - Drive to Oban, then Kilmartin Glen (standing stones, lots of prehistoric sites) and on to Inveraray. Overnight Inveraray. Depending on your timing, you might also consider taking the ferry from Oban to Mull and back as foot passengers; maybe include a tour of Duart Castle, which the ferry passes - https://ssl.c.photoshelter.com/img-g...art-castle.jpg and https://www.calmac.co.uk/days-out/visit-duart-castle

Day 4 - Drive back to Glasgow, stopping at Loch Lomond if desired. Overnight Glasgow.

I'd avoid staying in Fort William if at all possible, and I'd probably skip Stirling this time (and of course you're skipping Edinburgh altogether.) I think this route offers terrific scenery, lots of history, and doesn't present a grueling driving schedule.

Map - https://goo.gl/maps/uJrXgrp4g9A2

>>GLA to Glencoe via Loch <i>Ness</i> and Glen Etive.<<

Wouldn't that be via Loch Lomond (or some other loch south of Glencoe)? Especially since you have them going to Loch Ness the next day . . .

Gardyloo's plan is really good -- especially if they would be interested in the neolithic sites in Kilmartin.

But if standing stones and such doesn't float their boat (it really is a fascinating area), then instead of Inveraray for that night -- they could drive from Glencoe to somewhere near Callander. Seeing Stirling Castle and/or Doune and some wonderful Trossachs scenery. From Callander or Aberfoyle is an easy drive to GLA.

Yes, Loch Lomond. Brain/fingers disconnect. Soon we'll have an editing function on Fodor's; hasten the day.

OP, my go-to site for looking at Scottish places from afar is Undiscovered Scotland - https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/ . Use the A-Z feature and you can investigate to your heart's content.