We plan to be in the area of Oban the end of May/start of June next year and would love some suggestions for sites to see. Unfortunately, we'll just have 4 days in the area, so wonder if we should plan to visit Isle of Mull, Skye or Iona. Just want to see the basic Scottish beauty rather than towns and do some walking. Is it likely to be quite cold then?

Clousie <BR> <BR>You picked the best time to visit. <BR> <BR>The ferries to Mull leave very regularly and take less than half an hour. You can get a ferry direct from Oban to Iona or you can get the ferry to Mull and drive to Fhionnphort and get the little ferry from Mull to Iona. The drive is about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. It will show you a lot of the island. I wouldn't bother taking the car across to Iona itself. It's basically flat with lovely beaches and you could have a nice walk around there. One of Scotland's Munros (mountains over 3,000ft high) is on Mull and could easily be climbed- hiked rather than mountaineered- on a day trip; but not on a half day- so you could not do that and Iona on the same day. <BR> <BR>There's a very good wee book called something like "Highways and Byways of Mull" which I have at home which gives all sorts of suggested walks on the island. <BR> <BR>Another possibility would be to take the ferry from Oban to South Uist, drive through the Uists, and get the boat back from Lochmaddy to Uig on Skye and drive back to Oban- that would take at least 2 days, but would be beautiful. <BR> <BR>There's lots of lovely scenery round Oban-Loch Awe, Ben Cruachan, Tayvallich, the Mull of Kintyre, Kilmartin Glen with its neolithic sites, Crinan with canal, Port Appin and Lismore, Glen Coe etc etc. <BR> <BR>Where do you plan to stay? <BR>

Sheila, <BR> <BR>Thanks for your advice; it sounds just wonderful and exactly what we're looking for. <BR>We will probably stay in Oban, and since there will be 10-12 of us in the group, we're looking for a nice, not too expensive small hotel. Would also consider B&B's, but think we might like to be together. So far I've had some trouble locating one. It seems as though each guidebook or website lists different places that aren't repeated on any other. Are you familiar with the Dungallan House or Glenburnie Hotel in Oban or Loch Melfort Hotel in Arduaine?

I stayed in the Loch Melfort the second night of my honeymoon (sigh). Nice, lovely location, but you and I must have a different definition of what is and is not expensive! <BR> <BR>If that is your price range, and you are prepared to travel in and out that distance, try the Pier House at Port Appin, which is one of my all time favourites; or less expensive, the Cuilfail Hotel at Kilmelford or the Holly Tree at .... damn, I've forgotten the name of the place. All are out of Oban in pretty places. <BR> <BR>I'll check my own listings when I get home for other options <BR>

No, Sheila, I don't think we really have different ideas on what is expensive. I'd love to find something that is less, but just haven't come across many yet. <BR> <BR>Do you think Oban is a better, more central, location to see that area? <BR> <BR>Before we go to "north" the group will first be spending a few days in the Borders area, perhaps Peebles, and would just like a different type of scenery. This is a walking group, nothing too demanding, so we want to get into a more open area.

OK; My suggestion would be (assuming you have private transport and are not dependent on trains or buses), that you stay outside Oban. The Cuilfail (01852 200274) can take up to about 30 people and is about £35 per person per night. The Holly Tree (01631 740292) at Kentallen is close to the mouth of Glen Coe ( a great climbing/walking area ) and is £59. It can hold 20 people. In Oban, itself, the Palace Hotel is a huge slightly oldfashioned place right in the centre and is in the £25 per night category. I’ve also stayed in the Argyll which, from memory, was about £50. Looking at the book has reminded me of the Clachaig in Glen Coe which is a climber’s place, which does music and has a pub attached. <BR> <BR>Or there is the Kingshouse Hotel on the West Highland way which is much the same <BR> <BR>I presume you are not looking for bunkhouse or hostel accommodation. There is plenty of both in the area. <BR> <BR>http://www.b-mercer.demon.co.uk/links.htm is a web page called Walking in Scotland, you might like to have a look at. You can get a link from it to The Angry Corrie which might give you a laugh. <BR> <BR>The Scottish tourist Board web site is also worth a look at http://www.holiday.scotland.net/. <BR> <BR>There are three walking/climbing mags published here- Trail and The Great Outdoors are both a bit hilly, based on your description of your group; but Country Walking recommends some good stuff that might suit.I’ve got an STB supplement to TGO called Walk Scotland which I could snail mail you if you want. <BR> <BR>I think, if I were you, I would almost certainly do the Mull thing rather than the Skye one. I discover I don’t have the Mull walking guide- tho’ I do seem to have one for Islay, one for Jura, one for the Western Isles, one for Poolewe and one for Gairloch. <BR>Walking is something we do a lot of in Scotland. Anything else? <BR>