Routes · Europe

Shanghai to western Scotland: Glasgow, Loch Lomond and Oban

Shanghai → Glasgow → Loch Lomond → Oban

Victorian city, a great loch & a seafood port Best season (general guide): May–Sep

Western Scotland combines a big, friendly city with lochs and a coast that looks out to the islands. This route spends six nights between Glasgow, Loch Lomond and Oban. From Shanghai you'll connect through London, Amsterdam or the Gulf to Glasgow. Glasgow grew rich in the Victorian era, and its buildings show it. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, free to enter, holds art, natural history and a Spitfire hanging from the ceiling.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Glasgow: day one, Glasgow Cathedral; day two, Kelvingrove and the West End; day three, Mackintosh buildings. Then spend day four in Loch Lomond: train to Balloch, then loch cruise. Then spend days five and six in Oban: day five, train to Oban, then McCaig's Tower; day six, ferry to an island.

The architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh left his mark across the city, from tea rooms to the Glasgow School of Art. Glasgow Cathedral is one of the few medieval churches in Scotland to survive the Reformation intact. Glasgow is also famous for live music, with venues of every size. Loch Lomond, north of the city, is the largest lake in Britain by surface area, at the heart of a national park. Boats cruise the loch from Balloch.

Oban is a harbour town on the west coast, called the gateway to the isles because ferries leave here for Mull and other islands. McCaig's Tower, a ring of stone arches, overlooks the bay, and the town has a whisky distillery. May to September is the mildest season, though rain is common.

Good to know: The West Highland Line runs from Glasgow toward Oban through dramatic scenery. Midges bite in summer, so bring repellent.

Scottish weather changes quickly, so pack a waterproof jacket even in summer, and expect midges near the loch on still evenings. Glasgow's museums are a good fallback on wet days, and trains and buses link the city with the loch shore in well under two hours. Fresh seafood is served at stalls on Oban's pier.

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.