Scotland - Some insight needed please
 

We are four people traveling to Scotland for 7 nights second week of September. We are able to add one day if absolutely necessary. First timers in Scotland and really excited about it......
Our arrival point is Glasgow and we will spend 2 days there exploring the city and Edinburgh. We will be renting a car to tour the West coast and Highlands.

Our focus is on scenic drives, castles and we would like to stay in villages rather than towns.

Our initial thought was to drive to Oban area - see some sights on the way and overnight there.
Second overnight in the area of Loch Ness and then make our way back to Glasgow through the Trossachs and overnight in that area as well.
Which is the best way to split up our 5 days in this region? 2 Days Orban, 2 Days Highlands, 1 Day Trossachs??

Our other option is to find a base for 5 nights in the centre of the area and do day trips to the various points of interest. This appeals hugely as it is convenient not to pack up, but don't know if getting to points of interest and back to base is doable in one day.

Please help with suggestions of places for overnight stops and comment on our 2 options will be very welcome.

I'd probably focus on the areas around Oban, including Mull and Loch Fyne, given your priorities. I'd plot a loop of sorts, Glasgow to Oban via Loch Lomond and Glen Coe, then a day trip to Mull from Oban (or if time allows, stay on Mull instead of Oban) then down through amazing Kilmartin with its prehistoric monuments and around to Inveraray on Loch Fyne. This will give you a fairly compact itinerary but with enormous variety - beautiful highland scenery, castles, standing stones and fishing villages... what's not to like? Map - https://goo.gl/maps/mGZLbZLBuTn

Thanks a million Gardyloo.

This looks like exactly what we are looking for. Have researched some of the places and sights and there is more than enough to satisfy all our wishes.

Any suggestions regarding a nice place to stay in or around Oban? Budget is around GBP120 per room per night.

Here's your tip: there is no domestically produced whiskey in Scotland.

It's a trick statement.

The Ranald Hotel in Oban is pretty good, in the town, and in your price range - Manor House Hotel is lovely, and on the road out of town so a little quieter, but also a bit more pricey.

If you are breaking your travel and are looking for somewhere to stay near Glencoe, try the Holly Tree Hotel at Kentallen on the bank of Loch Linnhe - the sunsets from the restaurant are utterly breathtaking.

Loch Fyne Oyster Bar is well worth a stop.

Hi BigRuss

Is the answer to your trick statement perhaps that whiskEy is produced in the US and whisky is produced in Scotland??