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Travel Arrangements - Dunstaffnage Marina, Oban
The Hebrides are nearer than you think! Our mini cruises depart from Dunstaffnage Marina, three miles north of Oban (the gateway to the Hebridean isles!).
Dunstaffnage marina is easy to reach to by public transport, and we are very happy to help with local travel information.
Please note that boarding time at the pontoon is at 13:30 and one member of the crew will meet you at the pontoon's locked gate at 13:30 to take you to your vessel. It is not possible to board your vessel before boarding time as the boat is still being made ready for you. The boat normally sets off about an hour after boarding.
You might enjoy lunch, before joining us for your cruise, at the Poppies café which is just 300m after Dunstaffnage Marina on the A85 (if you are driving from Oban, it is not safe to walk as there is no pavement). There is also a restaurant at Dunstaffnage Marina and a small café inside the marina’s main office.
You will disembark on the last day of your holiday no later than 11:00.
a. By Car
Oban is about 2.5 hours to 3 hours drive north from Glasgow Airport and Dunstaffnage Marina is just 3 miles North of Oban on the A85. You can leave your car in the Dunstaffnage marina secure parking. The cost is £30/week (or £6/day). When you arrive at the marina please go to the marina reception (building on your left when you enter the marina premises) where you will pay for the parking and you will be given the latest code for the barrier to access the parking.
b. By Air
It is likely you will arrive at Glasgow International Airport which has car hire or you could take the train from Glasgow Queen Street Station to Oban. There is a bus to take you from Glasgow Airport to Glasgow Queen Street Station. We can also supply Airport taxis numbers or organize a taxi to take you from the airport to Oban. The drive from Glasgow to Oban takes around 2.5 hours to 3 hours.
If you wish to travel by taxi from Glasgow contact Tower Taxis (01631 569 999 / 07534 081291). The cost from Glasgow Airport to Oban is £220.
c. Public Transport
Train: A scenic train route from Glasgow Queen Street train station to Oban: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/scotland-by-rail/great-scenic-rail-journeys/west-highland-line-glasgow-oban-and-fort-williammallaig . Trains depart Glasgow in the morning and at lunchtime and arrive in Oban some 3 hours later.
Bus: Traveling to Oban by bus is great and perhaps even nicer than by train. The three hours journey will take you through some part of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. You could perhaps even stop half-way in Inveraray for a bit of lunch before carrying on with the next bus: https://www.citylink.co.uk/
Taxi: If you travel by train or bus to Oban then you will need to take a taxi to the marina which costs about £10 and takes about ten minutes. One Taxi company operating out of Oban is Tower Taxis (01631 569 999 / 07534 081291).
Accommodation
a. Glasgow
You might want to spend your first night in Glasgow where there is much to do and see. In Glasgow, there is the Premier Inn at Charing Cross: http://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/scotland/strathclyde/glasgow/glasgow-city-centre-charing-cross.html, 0871 527 8438.
To get from Glasgow airport to Charing Cross you will need the bus service 500. The bus stop is just outside the terminal building. Or you could take a taxi. The taxi rank is also located at the front of the terminal building. Taxis are available 24 hours a day. The taxi fare to Glasgow city centre is approximately £20.
The Premier Inn at Charing Cross has train connection to both Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street train stations which will be useful if you travel to Oban by train. Trains to Oban leave from Queen Street.
Alternatively you could stay at the The Premier Inn at Glasgow Airport: http://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/scotland/strathclyde/glasgow/glasgow-airport.html, 0871 527 8434.
There is also a Holiday Inn Express close to the Queen Street Station: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/gb/en/glasgow/glwth/hoteldetail, 0141 331 6800. There are good places to eat nearby, including a restaurant at the bottom of the hotel.
b. Oban
You might prefer to spend the night before your trip in Oban. A few options are:
Failte B&B: https://www.failtebandb.com, 01631 570219.
Barriemore B&B: https://barriemore.co.uk/, 01631 566356.
Witchwood House: https://witchwoodhouseoban.com/, 07767631511 / 07577749273.
Blair Villa (South): https://www.booking.com, 01631 564813.
Manor House: https://obanmanorhouse.com/, 01631 566 429.
Oban Bay Hotel: https://www.crerarhotels.com/oban-bay-hotel, 01631 564395.
c. Nearby Oban
The Old Cottage: https://www.theoldcottageoban.com/, 01852 200746. South of Oban, approximately 40 minutes drive.
Isle of Eriska: https://eriska-hotel.co.uk/, 01631 720 371. North of Oban, approximately 30 minutes drive.