Oban, Argyll, Scotland

Oban, Argyll, Scotland

View of Oban Harbour with colourful fishing boats.
Oban Harbour, Scotland

Oban is a popular tourist destination and transport hub located in Argyll, west of Scotland. Here can be found a wide range of accommodation lining the bay allied with rail, road and ferry links.

Commercial fishing is also undertaken and the town boasts good seafood restaurants.

More Information

The name Oban comes from the Gaelic an t-Oban Latharnach  or ‘little bay of Lorn. Visitors benefit from a wide range of hotels, guest houses and B&B lodgings. There are extensive shopping facilities and restaurants including those with seafood offerings. Using Oban as a base, there are regular car ferry crossings to and from islands including Mull and the Outer Hebrides

View of harbourside seafood bar at Oban with a range of crustaceans for sale.
Harbourside seafood bar at Oban

Places of interest within Oban and environs

  • Firstly, there are two castles connected with Clan MacDougll, namely Dunstaffnage Castle and Dunollie Castle.
  • Next, in the centre of the town can be found Oban Distillery which produces Scotch whisky. This distillery provides tours and tastings.
  • High above the town sits McCaig’s Tower which dates from the 19th century and is modelled on the Colosseum in Rome. This edifice was constructed by a philanthropic 19th century banker to employ out of work stone masons. Because of the Tower’s location, the visitor is presented with superb views over the harbour and beyond.
View of Oban from harbour with distillery and McCaig's Tower evident.
McCaig’s Tower dominating Oban
  • For persons interested in marine life there is the Scottish SEA LIFE sanctuary at nearby Barcaldine. Here can be found a wide selection of British marine life including the likes of seals and otters.

Visitors sites within range of Oban

The following sites, are all within a day’s drive:

  • Falls of Lora at Connel Bridge.
  • Carnasserie Castle, Kilmartin.
  • Kilmartin Glen, this is an important prehistory site with standing stones, stone circles and burial cairns.
View of two lines of prehistoric standing stones at Kilmartin Glen
Standing Stones at Kilmartin Glen
  • Fort William, this is the self-styled Outdoor Capital of Scotland and mountain bike centre.
  • Fort Augustus , a popular town with impressive flight of canal locks on the southern tip of Loch Ness
  • Loch Ness, this ranks as one of Scotland’s top visitor sites and is famous for its elusive monster.
  • Historic and scenic Glencoe which is famous for a massacre which took place in 1692, together with stunning Highlands scenery.
View of River Coe flowing through rugged Highlands scenery at Glencoe.
River Coe at Glencoe, Scottish Highlands
  • Inveraray, this is an an unusual, planned, 18th century town with a famous castle.

Summary

Overall, Oban offers a wide choice of facilities and sightseeing opportunities.

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