Kilmartin is located in western Scotland and is situated 29 miles (46 km) south of Oban and 8 miles (13 km) north of Lochgilphead. The nearest airports are in Glasgow and Edinburgh, roughly 100 miles (160 km) and 140 miles (225 km) respectively. European low cost airlines service both cities. Scottish Citylink and Scottish Rail connect Oban with Glasgow and Edinburgh. West Coast Motors operates a bus service between Oban and Kilmartin. The bus trip is 70 minutes. The trip by road is somewhat quicker but requires an adjustment to pace in any case. The roads north of Glasgow are predominately single carriageway or two-lane roads.

The village of Kilmartin lies at the center of Kilmartin Glen. The glen is accessible by foot and road. There is no public transport service in the valley of Kilmartin. Nearly all of the monuments and sites are an easy walk from valley roads. Walk Highlands provide details on a popular walking trail. The BBC has put together an audio guide and map for a walking tour of the glen. Maps for the BBC walk are available online, hard copies are available from the shop at Kilmartin House. Both walks are easy. Both are between 2-3 hours in length. Of note, the duration of the walk depends on the length of time spent at each historical site.

The best time of the year to visit western Scotland is from April to June. But don't expect endless days of warm sunshine. The weather in Scotland is fickle. It's as likely to be sunny as it is to be rainy. It's possible to experience more than one season in a single afternoon. The peak tourist season - July, August and Easter - is often crowded.