Oban Area
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-> Oban AreaThis is a beautiful part of Scotland, although it can be very wet! On a sunny day, the views from Oban towards Kerrera and Mull are magnificent and most visitors to the area take the ferry from Oban to Mull and other islands in the Hebrides.
Oban
Oban is a Victorian seaside resort but it is as a ferry port which has made this a busy town in the summer months with tourists visiting the islands. There are only a few attractions within the town to keep the family amused on wet days including the Oban Distillery and the War and Peace Exhibition which describes Oban's role as a base for the Atlantic convoys, flying boat base and training centre for D-day landings. There are a few outdoor places to visit, suitable for more clement weather, such as McCaig's Tower, a folly built in the style of the Roman Colosseum, perched on a hill overlooking the town - although intended as a museum and art gallery, it was never completed but provided work for unemployed stonemasons. Other places of interest include the Oban Rare Breeds Park, the ruins of the McDougal clan's 13th century Dunollie Castle and just watching the boats in the busy harbour. There are also many boat trips to Kerrera, Lismore and more distant islands on offer as well as the opportunity to go diving at Port Gallanach, a mile south of Oban. The Argyllshire Gathering is held in August each year and the West Highland Yachting Week in late July attracts hordes of sailors to the town.
Around Oban
Kerrera lies just off Oban and is popular for walking, examining its geological structure and enjoying the sandy beach at Slatrach Bay. There is not much else to see on the island apart from Hutcheson's Monument (a founder of the ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne) and the ruined Gylen Castle. A ferry runs to the island from Gallanach, just south of Oban. North of Oban on a promintory at the head of Loch Etive, lie the ruins of the 13th century Dunstaffnage Castle. Further north is Connel Bridge under which can be seen amazing tidal waterfalls and to the north, the 17th century Barcaldine Castle and the Scottish Sea Life and Maritime Sanctuary at Loch Creran. The photogenic ruins of the 16th century Castle Stalker can be visited at Port Appin.
The Isle of Lismore provides fantastic views across Loch Linnhe and towards Mull and is a good area for walking and cycling. Places to visit include a 19th century thatched cottage restored to its original features, a 2000-year old broch and ruins of 12th century castles. Ferries to the island depart from Oban and Port Appin.
Information
There is a tourist office in Argyll Square in Oban. The hotels in the area include: Oban - the Caledonian Hotel, Corran House Hotel, Manor House Hotel, Regent Hotel, Barriemore Hotel and Dungallan House Hotel; Isle of Eriska at Benderloch; and Pierhouse Hotel at Port Appin.
Restaurants in the area include: Oban - Ee-usk (seafood restaurant), the Waterfront, Mondo, Sirloin, Studio Restaurant, the Gallery, India Palace and China Restaurant; Wide-Mouthed frog at Dunstaffnage; and the Oyster Inn at Connel.
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