Scotland: Oban

Town, Postcode, Attraction

Oban is lovely Victorian resort town on the west coast of Scotland. During the winter months the population of this small town is less than 10,000 but this figure almost trebles in the summer months with the incredible number of visitors and those arriving to catch a ferry across to the Outer Hebrides (Western Isles).

Larger than Fort William, Oban is the largest port in the northwest, second largest town in Argyll and an excellent place in which to spend a vacation. The town is rather picturesque in a small bay, sheltered by the island of Kerrera which provides excellent views. The most prominent feature of this resort town is McCaig's Folly which is a unusual granite amphitheatre situated high on a hilltop overlooking the town (which is made even more dramatic when it is lit up at night). You can visit but be aware that it is a ten minute climb from the quayside.

Although the town can get rather crowded at certain times of the day during the summer it is an excellent place to go shopping. There is certainly plenty to see and do in and around the town and even on rainy days you will find a reasonable selection of wet-weather activities to keep you entertained. One of the best placed to visit in the town centre is the Oban Distillery which offers guided tours (which end with a large dram.

Below is a small selection of things to see and do in Oban. You will notice that there are a number of castles to visit and a small number of museums. Being a costal resort town and port it will not be surprising to learn that the sea features strongly and one of the most popular things to do is to hire a boat to tour the coast or indulge in a little fishing. Sports such as diving and sea kayaking are incredibly popular too.

Oban nighlife may not be as lively as in Glasgow but there are plenty of restaurants and pubs around the town and these are most lively during the Argyllshire Gathering which is held annually on the last Thursday in August.

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Top Things To See & Do In Oban

Things to see and do in Oban McCaig's Folly

Dunollie Castle

Dunstaffnage Castle

Oban Distillery

Rare Breeds Farm Park

The War and Peace Museum

Kilmartin Archaeological Museum

Camasserie Castle

Duart Castle

Inveraray Castle

St Conan's Kirk, Lochawe

Arduaine Gardens

Ardchattan Priory

Standing stones near Kilmartin

Torosay Castle and Gardens

Ardmaddy Gardens

An Cala Gardens

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Getting To Oban

It is pretty easy to get to, and get around, Oban. Buses arrive regularly from Glasgow, Fort William and Inverness, plus a number of local bus services serving the town and surrounding areas. You will find the Tourist Information Centre on Argyll Square.

Nearest Railway Stations	Nearest Car Parks	Nearest Airports
Oban Railway Station (Railway Pier)	Longsdale (free long stay)	Oban Airport (6 miles from centre of Oban)
	Lochavullin (free long stay)
	CalMac ferry terminal (Pay & Display)
	Parking Ticket Machines on main streets

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Hotels In Oban

Name	Miles	Location	Guest Rating	Star
Oban Bay Hotel Spa	0.7	Oban		3*
Royal Hotel	0.1	Oban		3*
The Caledonian Hotel A Folio Hotel	0.1	Oban		3*
The Kelvin Hotel	0.2	Oban		1*
The Queens Hotel	0.7	Oban		4*
The Regent Hotel	0.4	Oban		2*
Airds Hotel and Restaurant	10.2	Appin		4*
Collaig House B & B	11.3	Taynuilt		4*
Lichen Burn	9.3	Taynuilt		4*
Loch Melfort Hotel	12.6	Arduaine nr Oban	N/A	3*
Barcaldine House	9.5	Oban	N/A	NC
The Palace Hotel	0.2	Oban		3*
The Oyster Inn	4.2	Oban		4*
Grove House	4.4	Oban		4*
Glenavon Guest Accommodation	0.2	Oban		2*
The Columba Hotel	0.3	Oban		3*
Achaleven Byre	4.6	Oban		NC
Dun Na Mara	5.8	Oban	N/A	4*
Taynuilt Hotel	8.9	Taynuilt		3*
Tanglewood Lodge B B	9.2	Taynuilt		4*
Isle of Mull Hotel Spa	9.6	Isle of Mull		3*