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A good ferry network makes it easy to sample some of the islands of the Inner Hebrides, famed for their rugged coastal scenery as well as their whisky distilleries. Mainland roads, too, are exhilarating as they sweep along the sides of the sea-lochs of Argyll. This is the best of the west – plus a scenic route through to Speyside, in the heart of Scotland’s whisky country. Day 1: From Edinburgh or Glasgow take roads south-west for the ferry port of Ardrossan on the Clyde coast. Enjoy magnificent mountain views of the island of Arran from the ferry. Choice of heritage museum or Brodick Castle visit (fine gardens), then take coastal route southwards to go round the island. Great views up Kilbannan Sound on west side. Lochranza Castle and Isle of Arran Distillery at north end of island. Return to Brodick with further option of the ‘String Road’ across the island, built by famous Scottish engineer, Thomas Telford. Overnight on the island. Day 2: Ride north to Lochranza for ferry departure to mainland at Claonaig. Go north on loch-side main road road via pleasing little town of Lochgilphead for Campbeltown. Planned and built by an 18th-century Duke of Argyll, the town is attractively set on the shores of Loch Fyne. It has a choice of things to do, including a castle visit and even a restored 19th-century jail with costumed actors! Return south to Tarbert for Kennacraig and ferry for Islay with overnight stay. Day 3: A day exploring Islay to discover the brilliant beaches by Loch Gruinart in the north, local museum at Port Charlotte, and also the Islay Woollen Mill in the centre of the island. The island is also associated with the Clan Donald - another theme to explore. Islay also has its own special range of island malt whiskies. (Try them out in the evening!). Day 4: Leave Islay from Port Askaig, returning to the mainland (via the island of Colonsay) at the resort of Oban. From there, ride north, crossing the Connel Bridge to continue by Loch Linnhe for Ballachulish and Glen Coe – simply one of the grandest and most atmospheric glens in Scotland. (The Glencoe Visitor Centre has plenty on its history – including the famous Massacre of Glencoe.) Return for overnight in Oban. Day 5: From Oban, ferry crossing to island of Mull. From Craignure, take island circuit via Glen More to explore the spectacular rugged seascapes of the island’s west side by way of Loch na Keal. Then continue north and east for Tobermory – picturesque little town and harbour. Overnight on Mull. Day 6: Ferry returns you to Oban, then ride east via Pass of Brander and Loch Awe for a visit to Cruachan Power Station, its turbine-hall in a cavern deep inside the mountain. North and west a fast road runs through the wide-open, wild spaces of Rannoch Moor, then it’s north-west up the Great Glen via Fort William, passing Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. More magnificent mountain scenery leads through to the valley of the River Spey, in its pinewood setting. Follow the river downstream to reach your overnight accommodation in the whisky-town of Craigellachie. Day 7: From Craigellachie, sample a whisky distillery nearby at Dufftown, then take the high road across the heathery Grampian hills for Royal Deeside and Balmoral Castle. From there, go southwards via Braemar and over the high pass of Glenshee (the highest main road in Britain) for Perthshire and then Edinburgh or Glasgow.
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