Welcome toKerrera
A small island jewel near Oban, perfect for walking with a ruined castle and a tea room.
More about Kerrera
Ideal for:
History & heritage
Outdoor adventure
Landmarks
Walking
An island jewel a stones throw from Oban
Kerrera is a small island close to Oban and is around 7 km (4 miles) long and around 2 km wide, and is separated from the mainland by the Sound of Kerrera. The island is known for the ruined Gylen Castle, a small tower house built in 1582. It was also the place where Alexander II of Scotland died in 1249. The highest point on Kerrera is Carn Breugach at 189 m (620 ft).
The Kerrera Tearoom and Bunkhouse serves freshly prepared tea, baking, soups and sandwiches daily.
Prior to your journey, familiarise yourself with VisitScotland's #RespectProtectEnjoy guidance and check the arrangements individual islands and locations have for managing the safety of their visitors and communities. For Argyll and Bute, please read through the area's 'Be a great Visitor' guidance.
Take care on our coast: slips and falls can happen in all locations, not just high cliffs. Check out these RNLI Safety Tips #RespectTheWater
How to get here
The Kerrera ferry leaves from Gallanach near Oban.
Please note that the Kerrera Marina water taxi is not one of our services and departs from Oban North Pier. Tickets for this are not accepted on our service from Gallanach - Kerrera.
When you purchase a ticket on a Turn up and Go route like Kerrera-Gallanach, you'll be purchasing an 'open' ticket for a chosen departure date, valid for the season in which you've purchased it, but it won't have a specific sailing time. Simply turn up at the port of departure and go - no advance booking is necessary on this sailing. Simply turn up at the port of departure, go on the next available sailing. Vehicles can only be carried by prior arrangement by telephoning the Oban Port Office .
Getting to Gallanach
Gallanach is a port on the North-west coast, and makes a great base for your adventures on the Isles.
By car
Gallanach is roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes from Glasgow, 3 hours and 15 minutes from Edinburgh by car. If you are travelling with an electric vehicle, there are charging points available at the Argyll College UHI, Oban.
Postcode for sat nav
Gallanach slipway: PA34 4QH
Travelling without a car
By train and bus
If you're coming from the east coast, Edinburgh, or the South, you'll need to travel through Glasgow. There's a regular direct train to Oban from Glasgow Queen Street Station, and it takes just over 3 hours.
A local bus runs regularly throughout the week (not including Sundays) from Oban to Gallanach, the journey takes less than 15 minutes.
Visit our Journey Planner for timetables.
By Foot
Kerrera is a walker's paradise due to the exceedingly low number of cars on the island. It is large enough to offer plenty of walking opportunities with a 7-mile circuit taking in the well-preserved and wonderfully atmospheric remains of Gylen Castle on the south of the island and a 6 mile circuit around the north of the island which include Hutcheson's Monument. Whilst only being a small island, walks around Kerrera offer spectacular scenery and fantastic views back to the mainland and out to Mull.
By Bike
The terrain on Kerrera makes it unsuitable for road bikes, only mountain bikes and hybrid bikes are suitable for the rugged tracks and paths of the island. Gallanach is easy to reach by bike and is very close to the National Cycling Route 78. Bike hire is available in Oban, visit Explore Argyll for details.
If you're bringing your bike, please do add your bike(s) to your booking - this means that you have more certainty about space. This ticket will remain free of charge.
To plan your bike journey, visit CycleStreets .