Travel Information

If you are driving along the shores of the beautiful Loch Sween in Argyll Scotland, keep to the eatern shore and in Knapdale off the B8025 you will come across Castle Sween. This is an ancient castle built in the 12th century and as such is one of the oldest castles in Scotland. It originally would have been wooden and over the centuries it was further fortified with stone and towers built. The castle was built looking down the Loch to Ireland, across Jura Sound. It was built to withstand marauding forces arriving from the sea and land and parts of the stone work is ten feet thick.The castle had its own prison. Built around a quandrangle the castle is supported with buttresses which is quite an unusual architectural design for this part of the world.The castle also has its own well which was very useful if you were beseiged. The castle is thought to have been built by the grandson of  Hugh the Splendid O’Neill. Now under the Historic  Building and Monuments of Scotland,  who maintain it currently. This is a castle that has seen many furious battles. Its been beseiged by Robert the Bruce and nearly raised to the ground in 1647 by Sir Alexander Macdonald. What is left is a partial ruin but the location and what remains are still worthy of a visit if you enjoy and want to learn more about the history of this amazing place. Add the castle ruins to your list of places to visit on your Scotland Motorhome Hire Adventure. For more information click the blue text below.

Castle Sween
Achnamara
Lochgilphead
Argyll
Scotland
PA31 8PT

Dunstaffnage Castle was the mighty seat of the MacDougalls. Built before 1275, it occupies a strategic location on the Firth of Lorne to the Pass of Brander, this route giving access to the very heart of Scotland. It was probably built by Duncan MacDougall grandson of the King of the Isles during a struggle for control of the islands with Norway and therefore of major importance as a defensive position. The castle has the most impressive ‘curtain wall’ which was wholly intended to put of any would be invaders through its sheer magnitude. It still looks incredibly imposing to this day. Famously, the castle was besieged by Robert the Bruce and remained a Royal stronghold until it was passed to the Earls of Argyll in the 1400’s. But it is during later struggles that Dunstaffnage had its most famous moment when it acted as a prison for Flora MacDonald after she was arrested for her role in helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from Benbecula, after his defeat at Culloden. History tells how the young Flora helped the Prince, dressed as a spinning maid, escape on a boat to Skye and eventually to France.  After leaving Dunstaffnage, she was sent to the tower of London, but her bravery earned her favour and a year later she was freed. She subsequently married and emigrated to the Americas. You will find the site surrounded by woodland and grassy areas sweeping down to the bay. The visitor centre is open all year round, so it is well worth dropping in whilst traveling in your Argyllshire motorhome hire. For further information, please click on the blue link below.

Dunstaffnage Castle
Dunstaffnage Mains Farm
Dunbeg
Oban
Argyll
PA37 1PZ

Telephone: 01631 562 465

The scenic Glencoe valley the location of the infamous “Massacre of Glencoe.??? You simply should go and see the dramatic moody coastline and beautiful mountain views or this area. It is well worth a visit anytime of year. ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ was filmed here.

Glencoe
Argyll
Scotland

This is in a breathtaking location surrounded by the glorious Munros Mountains (3,000ft in height.) This is Scottish scenery at its best and not to be missed. Waking up in such lovely countryside each morning has got to be a joy.  The site is surrounded by woodland in good walking country.  For the more experienced walker, try the West Highland Way which passes within nine miles of the Site. Harry Potter, Kidnapped and many other films have used this area for their filming. All motorhomes are booked onto hard standing with hook ups. Television signals are poor here and even with a satellite dish you receive limited channels so take some books to read! If you love wildlife and want to travel to areas you could not normally access, take a Wildlife Land Rover Safaris, which are available during the summer high season. Ask at the campsite for more details. The Glencoe and North Lorn Folk Museum is the only thatched building in the area, and is well worth a visit. For shops and eating out go into Fort William. Fort William is also the home of The Jacobite steam train, which travels through dramatic and beautiful scenery. The route is known as one of the greatest railway journeys in the world. Without doubt this area has stunning scenery and is best seen on a Scottish Campervan Hire holiday. For more information and booking Glencoe Camping and Caravanning Club Site, click the blue text below.

Glencoe Camping and Caravanning Club Site
Glencoe
Ballachulish
Argyll
PH49 4LA
Scotland

Telephone: 01855 811397 (No calls after 8pm please.)

Set in the heart of this beautiful region of Scotland is Inverary Castle, home to the Duke of Argyll, chieftain of the Clan Campbell. A castle has been standing here on the shores of Loch Fyne since the 1400’s, but the impressive baronial castle that you see today is the brain child of the architect Vanburgh. He did not live to see his design undertaken, the work which took 43 years to complete was finished by the famed Scottish architects John and Robert Adam. In 1877 the castle fell victim to that scourge of old buildings, a fire, in 1877. After this event the castle was restored with the addition of a third floor and the placing of the conical towers on the corners. When entering the castle the entrance hall is modest in comparison to the more opulent rooms that you will find as you progress through the castle. There is an exquisite Tapestry room and a China turret with displays of porcelain from around the world. The armoury hall has the highest ceiling in Scotland and holds a dazzling display of armaments from down the centuries. The Saloon has a fantastic display of family portraits from the first Duke right up to the present incumbent. Interestingly for fans of musicals, it is here, at the piano in the Saloon where some of the songs for My Fair Lady were written during a visit by the composers. For those with Campbell links, the first floor has a room dedicated to the clan giving information on the family tree. It is also on this floor that you will find the MacArthur room which contains a bed said to be haunted by a young harpist murdered for gazing at the Lady of the house. There are other ghostly apparitions who are meant to haunt the castle, so keep a look out on your visit. While traveling in your Argyllshire motorhome rental you will be able to enjoy a full day out at this magnificent castle, so be sure to get there early to make the most of your day. For further information, please click on the blue link below.

Inveraray Castle
Inveraray
Argyll
PA32 8XE

Telephone: 01499 302203

There is a height restriction at the at site entrance (arch) of 3.4m / 11ft 2�. This presents no problem for a low profile Motorhome but extreme care should be taken for anything taller. Watch out for those aerials that may be forgotten about when you try to negotiate into this site. If in doubt then don’t try it! Once in the site it is beautiful and has new facilities block opened in 2011. The site is located in an old Victorian walled garden which makes it very sheltered. The Victorian garden was once worked by a team of twenty gardeners who produced vegetables for the estate house. The campsite is approximately thirteen miles north of Oban town. If you are on holiday here it is worth catching a ferry from Oban to one of the Western Isles. The Isle of Mull’s main town is Tobermory, the backdrop for the children’s TV series Balamory. Whilst on the Isle of Mull you can also visit Torosay Castle and Gardens. If you are a keen walker you may want to try the six mile walk on the south of the Isle of Kerrera which is is just off Oban.  If your family are keen on wildlife then take a trip on the cruise boat on the sea loch, Etive,  and spot seals and cormorants, and if you are lucky, even stags on the surrounding hillsides. If seals on the cruise allude you, then take the family to the Scottish Sealife Centre, which is less than three minutes’ drive from the campsite in your Glasgow Motorhome Hire. The centre rescues seals, and also has an otter creek. For more information on Oban Camping and Caravanning Club Site click on the blue text below.

Oban Camping and Caravanning Club Site
Barcaldine by Connel
Argyll
PA37 1SG
Scotland

Telephone: 01631 720348 (No calls after 8pm please.)

Owls are fantastic birds, and the opportunity to get close cannot be missed. It never fails to amaze me that they can turn their heads nearly all the way round! At the Scottish Owl Centre you can see one of the largest collections of different breeds of owls in Scotland. Best of all is to be there to see the flying display that takes place at 2.30pm. This is a spectacle not to be missed as owls travel and swoop down almost without making a sound. They are truly majestic and impressive creatures and the whole family is bound to enjoy the visit, there is also an adventure playground for the children and a tea room. If you fancy something extra special then the centre offers owl handling courses. This would make an ideal birthday gift if one of your party has a birthday during their UK Motorhome hire holiday. Remember to book in advance for this treat. For entrance fees and opening times check the Scottish Owl Centre website before setting out in your UK Motorhome Hire.

Scottish Owl Centre
Withburn Road
Campbeltown
Argyll
PA 28 6JU
Scotland

A visit to Stirling Castle is an essential part of any visit to central Scotland. Its location rivals even Edinburgh Castle’s for sheer magnificence as it sits on its high volcanic rock, visible for many miles in every direction

Stirling Castle

Stirling Tourist Information
41 Dumbarton Road
Stirling
Tel:+44 (0) 1786 475 019

Are you likely to be in Argleshire with children who are getting bored with just scenery, despite it being spectacular? Tell them you are going to hollow mountain! If you are looking for some where different and quirky to visit then a trip to Hollow Mountain is certainly that! Cruachan Power Station is actually deep inside Cruachan Mountain, hence being known as ‘The hollow Mountain’. Visiting a power station does not sound that attractive a proposition; however, surprisingly, it is an adventure that all the family is likely to enjoy. There is something almost ‘James Bond’ about it, perhaps it would make a fantastic setting for an action movie? It is amazing and not to be missed. It is a perfect activity to embark on if it’s a rainy day on your Scottish Motorhome hire holiday, as your guided tour will take you underground in the warm and dry! Once inside the mountain you are taken up the visitor’s walkway, past sub-tropical plants that grow well with the warm humid conditions inside the mountain, and then on to the visitor’s viewing gallery with breath taking views. There are plenty of interactive models for you to try. The sheer impressive engineering involved in this site, that houses these colossal turbines, has to be seen to be believed. There is also a cafeteria which overlooks beautiful Loch awe and is well known for its bird life The Power Station is extremely popular with tourists so don’t expect to just turn up and get on the guided tour. Book in advance to make it part of your Motorhome hire tour of Scotland. The power station is located 19 miles east of Oban on the A85. Cruachan Power Station is a working power station and the tour lasts about 30 minutes. For opening times, admission prices and booking click on the blue text for their website. It is not often you see stunning place inside a mountain as well as outside so this is a unique experience to have and could well be a major highlight of your Scottish Motorhome hire tour.

Cruachan Visitor Centre
Dalmally
Argyll
PA33 1AN
Scotland

Telephone: 01866 822618