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

You will likely arrive at Glasgow International Airport. From there, you can take the bus service 500 (24 hour bus service) to Glasgow Queen Street Station, where you can catch a train to Oban: https://www.thetrainline.com/.

There is also the option of taking a Citylink bus (Route 976) directly from Glasgow airport to Oban: https://www.thetrainline.com/.

If you wish to travel by taxi from Glasgow Airport contact Tower Taxis (01631 569 999 / 07553 371326 / towertaxisargyll12@gmail.com ). The cost from Glasgow Airport to Oban is approximately £225. The drive from Glasgow to Oban takes around 2.5 hours to 3 hours.

c. Public Transport

Train: A scenic train route from Glasgow Queen Street train station to Oban: https://www.thetrainline.com/. Trains depart Glasgow in the morning and at lunchtime and arrive in Oban some 3 hours later.

Bus: Traveling from Glasgow Buchanan bus station to Oban by bus is also an option. 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 £13 and takes about ten minutes. Three taxi companies operating out of Oban are:

- Tower Taxis: 01631 569 999 / 07553 371326

- PJ Taxis: 07488 234381

- Lorn Taxis: 01631 564 744

Accommodation

a. Glasgow

You might enjoy spending your first night in Glasgow where there is much to do and see. A few options are:

The Premier Inn at Glasgow Airport: http://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/scotland/strathclyde/glasgow/glasgow-airport.html, 0871 527 8434.

Carlton George Hotel: https://www.carltongeorge.co.uk/, 0141 353 6373.

Novotel Glasgow Centre: https://all.accor.com/hotel/3136/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps, 0141 619 9001.

Radisson Blu: https://radisson-blu-hotel-glasgow.bookstaygo.com/, 0204 578 9829.

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, 07826 227276. Please mention that you are travelling with St Hilda Sea Adventures so that you can book for just one night.

Kilchrenan House: https://kilchrenanhouse.co.uk/, 01631 562663.

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 566429.

Oban Bay Hotel: https://www.crerarhotels.com/oban-bay-hotel, 01631 564395.

You can find a wide selection of accommodation options in Oban on Booking.com: https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=oban

c. Nearby Oban

The Oyster Inn: https://www.oysterinn.co.uk/, 01631 710 666. North of Oban, 5 minutes drive from Dunstaffnage Marina.

Isle of Eriska: https://eriska-hotel.co.uk/, 01631 720 371. North of Oban, approximately 30 minutes drive from Dunstaffnage Marina.

The Old Cottage: https://www.theoldcottageoban.com/, 01852 200746. South of Oban, approximately 40 minutes drive from Dunstaffnage Marina.

Availability 2026

Availability 2027