We are planning a trip for May/June 2007 to fly into Manchester from the US and train over to York for two nights. We want to rent a car and drive up thru Glasgow and on to Oban. We don't want to rush through this trip. Should we stop overnight on the way? Or, should we try the trains from York to Oban? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

York to Oban is certainly doable by train, but it's not exactly direct.

I think it depends what you want out of the trip. A relaxed journet and good views? Take the train.

The opportunity to savour what you're passing through? drive. Speed? Drive.

What will you do when you get to Oban? Without a car you'll be constrained. Things you'll be able to do but things you won't.

Is there a particular reason you're heading to Oban ? Is it to visit Mull & Iona ? Oban itself isn't very nice IMO - there are much nicer places you could go.

Thanks for your replies. We had hoped to use Oban as a base for a couple of days and rent a car there. We want to go to Mallaig, ferry to Skye for two or three days, then maybe Inverness, and eventually down to Edinburgh, where we have booked the apartment on Johnston Terrace for our final three nights in Scotland. We plan to fly back to the US from EDI. We are open for any and all suggestions. There is so much we would like to see and visit. We have fourteen days from our our arrival in Manchester until we leave from Edinburgh. Thank you in advance for any help you can give us.

Fourteen days is a good amount of time. I'm sure Sheila will be able to suggest a nice itinerary for you

Oban is really not the best base for touring except for Mull/Iona, Kilmartin and places nearby.

here is a VERY sketchy itinerary from MAN to EDI - just to show one possibility. You would be picking up the car in either York or at MAN. I'd choose York if you are arriving after and overnight flight.

MAN > York -- either the train or a car. A car is not needed in York itself but would be best for touring around the area. 2 nights York

York > Northumberland (for Hadrian's Wall) 1 night near Hexam/Haltwhistle

Northumberland > Loch Lomond > Glencoe. 1 night somewhere near Ballacullish/Ft William (not IN Ft William

Glencoe > Skye 2(or 3) nights on Skye

Skye > up the west coast to Gairloch/Ullapool or somewhere in that area 1 night

West coast > NEAR Inverness (not IN Inverness) 2 nights (or 3). There is a lot to see in the area.

1 night enroute to Edinburgh - could be Perth, Aberfeldy or even some where along the Dee.

Turn car in at EDI and spend your last 2 to 4 days (depending on how long you stayed on Skye and near I'ness) in Edinburgh w/o a car.

So you'd pick up that car your second day in York and drop it at EDI 9 or 10 days later.

With respect to Sheila, Caroline and Janis and my love of train travel, I suggest you at least think about the train. Oh, and I liked my three visits to Oban. Last November I did in fact take the train from York to Edinburgh, an easy tranfer to Glasgow Queen street station and then the train up to Oban. In Oban you can opt for the Bowman bus and ferry trip across Mull to Iona or direct to to village of Tobermory. In any event Oban isn't that bad as suggested. Well, in my opinion it is not. You could have been stuck in Inverness.

Just curious. Why do you say not IN Ft. William? I was kind of looking at it as a future hub sometime. What am I not seeing?

Have to agree with Roger, Oban is an excellent base for travel in the West Highlands. The train journey from Glasgow is one of my favourites and the approach into Oban is spectacular. If your driving then you can take the route through Glencoe and come into Oban from the north. Its a wee bit longer than the direct route but makes a lovely days drive.

If you're travelling by car then its excellent base for Inverary, Crinan, Mull, Iona, Seil Island and Fort William

It also has some really decent restaurants and bars.

I know the site is all about opinions but I really think some of the previous posters were selling a bit short.

Thanks for your replies. We have much research to do and many decisions to make. I do appreciate your valuable information and opinions.

hoping...

Between Oban and Fort William, Oban is the better choice.While some posters might disagree about Oban,almost all agree that Fort William is one place you really don't want to stay unless you absolutely have to.

We spent a quick night in Oban in 1998. Guess I need to read more books!