Oban

Oban is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty and known as the Gateway to the Isles with a lively sea port offering boat trips to the Isles of Mull, Iona, Staffa or simply to see the rich abundance of wildlife found off the coast. It is of course, also home to the famous Oban malt whisky distillery.

The panoramic views of the mountains, lochs and islands which have captivated artists, authors, composers, and poets for centuries are as striking now as they were when Dunollie Castle, a ruined keep which has stood sentinel over the narrow entrance to the sheltered bay for around six hundred years, was the northern outpost of the Dalriadic Scots.

Oban is justifiably known as the Gateway to the Isles. The town's south pier is the embarkation point for car ferries to Mull, Coll, Tiree, Barra, South Uist, Colonsay, Lismore and Islay. From these islands you can travel further afield to Iona, Staffa and to many of the smaller less well
known isles.

Within Oban the most outstanding feature is McCaig's Tower. The Tower, in the style of the Roman Colosseum, was built by John Stuart McCaig, a local banker in 1897. His aim was to provide work for local stonemason and to act as a memorial to McCaig himself and his family.

Oban boasts a wide variety of shops. Strolling along George Street, the main shopping area of the town and past the bay with beautiful views across to the Island of Kerrera and beyond, leads you down to Argyll Square with its
attractive floral display and lined with even more shops and cafes.

Nearby is the Oban Distillery which is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, dating back to around 1800. The Oban Distillery is primarily known for its 14-year-old expression, which is marketed as part of Diageo's 'Classic Malts Selection' range, launched in 1988. It’s a must for anyone with an interest in whisky!