Oban
Oban
Nestling on the coast opposite the island of kerrera Oban is something of a transport hub as it is at Oban where the ferries leave for several destinations in the Scottish isles, these include the isles of Mull, Coll, Tiree and Iona.
The town itself is a fishing port and is set in a lovely location with the hills of the western islands behind and the deep blue Atlantic Ocean on the other.
The harbour is lively as the steamers come and go along with the fishing boats, the town was made famous by Sir Walter Scot who when visiting the place in 1815 included several local locations in his novel the Lord of the isles. This encouraged visitors and by the end of the 19th century Oban had become a popular resort with many hotels.
The town has fish auctions on the pier and glass-making workshops were popular, overlooking the harbour and town is McCaigs folly, which looks like a smaller roman colosseum, it was built in the 1890s by the banker as a memorial to his family and to provide work for unemployed local men.
On a rock outcrop at the mouth of the bay stands the ruined Dunollie castle founded in the 7th century by the Clan McDougall it was later held by the Stewarts and the Campbell’s.
Nearby is the lovely little cathedral built of granite it was built by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.
Activities in Oban
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