Take a
holiday trip to Oban: The ‘Gateway to the Isles’ in Scotland
Oban,
which is a brief version of the Scottish Gaelic for “The Little Bay,” is
a popular resort down in the Argyll and Bute area of Scotland. The town
is pretty small, but despite this, it is still the largest between Fort
William and Helensburgh and is extremely popular during the summer months,
with up to 25,000 tourists visiting each year, and it's very easy to see
why.
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Photo:
Oban panorama CC-BY-SA-3.0 Colin
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Oban
is framed in a beautiful setting in the Firth of Lorne with an almost-perfect
horseshoe shaped bay, protected and enclosed by the island of Kerrera.
Just past Kerrera can be found the Isle of Mull, and close by can be seen
the Island of Lismore, hence the nickname, “Gateway to the Isles.” Among
the stunning scenery in the area can be seen the mountains of Ardgour and
Morvern.
This
popular resort area has plenty of accommodation on offer, including some
excellent holiday cottages at Bonawe
House, an 18th-century country house set in its own lovely grounds
overlooking Loch Etive, a short distance from the town itself.
Things to do in the area:
There is much for visitors to
do in the area including exploring the beautiful coastal scenery and hiking
in the mountains. There are several historic locations to visit including
the local castles and some ancient religious sites. There is plenty in
the way of great dining to be had in the town too, as it is known as the
Seafood Capital of Scotland!
The following gives a brief
idea of what is on offer.
On the water:
A variety of water sports on
offer include sea water and white water kayaking, scuba diving, fishing,
whale watching and wildlife boating trips along with trips out to the Corryvreckan
Whirlpool.
Getting some exercise:
Hire a bike on the Isle of Luing,
around a 30-minute drive from Oban, making for a great day out for the
whole family, or rent a bike in Oban itself to explore the surroundings.
For those who cannot stay away from the gym, the local Leisure Centre offers
gym, swimming and sports facilities. |
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Local
attractions:
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For
something rather different just a short drive from Oban, visit Heartfelt
Studio, which is located in the last Victorian railway station along the
Callander-Oban line. Here, at no charge, you can see traditional
craft demonstrations revealing many textile skills and workshops are available
all year around.
If
you would like to get an idea of life in a real 19th century prison, Inveraray
Jail is a popular choice. This is a living museum where real people play
the part of prisoners in the jail, which is located about 38 miles away
from Oban itself.
Those
with an interest in wartime experiences will enjoy the Oban War and Peace
Museum with its fascinating selection of memorabilia, artefacts and photos
of the historic town and its people during the war years, when RAF Flying
Boats operated from the bay in Oban.
The
Scottish Sealife Sanctuary is one of Oban’s most popular attractions, where
you can visit otters, seals and native salt water animals up close and
personal. You can also explore the Terry Nutkins Nature trail to
see local animals living in their natural surroundings.
For
more details of the various attractions in the area, visit the Oban Visitor
Information Centre, which is operated by VisitScotland,
and can be found in the Columba Buildings on the North Pier. |
| Oban
Harbour CC-BY-SA 3.0 Hartmut
Josi Bennöh |
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All
in all, lovely Oban in Scotland is the perfect holiday destination with
something for everyone.
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