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Oban is the unofficial capital town of the Western Highlands. With a main trunk road passing through and with rail and ferry links to the Inner Hebrides, the town and harbour act as the main economic and tourist focus for the West Highlands. In it’s hey day Oban used to boast a regular steam ship service which connected the town to Glasgow.
In Gaelic Oban means little bay and Oban’s natural harbour explains why the town became so important as a supply line to the islands. Regular ferries now sail to most of the Inner Hebrides and passengers can take advantage of numerous routes to travel on. See our Island Hopping page for more details.
An unusual landmark on the hill above Oban is McCaig’s Folly. A circular monument in the style of a Roman Amphitheatre. It was built by John Stuart McCaig in 1897 as a project to generate local jobs. It was never finished. You can walk up to the monument on some steep steps from the town centre and the views of Oban harbour are worth the effort.
Argyll & Bute and the immediate surrounds offer some spectacular coastal and mountain scenery. Oban remains a real hotspot for tourists exploring the West Highlands of Scotland. The town itself has a wide range of shops and tourist attractions. Facilities include a sports centre and swimming pool. By all means visit Oban but make sure you make the small effort involved to get off the beaten track. Have a look at our interactive map of Argyll & Bute and the Islands. Click Here.
If you have the time to venture beyond Argyll & Bute then Glen Coe, Fort William and Ben Nevis are only forty minutes further north.
Visit Oban in winter for a special break and enjoy west coast hospitality at it’s best. A visit to the islands to experience the weather and the fantastic coastal scenery is an unforgettable journey.
There are some wonderful hidden gems around Oban and Lorne and perhaps we will be able to share a few with you on site in the coming months.
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