Oban Hotels

To holidaymakers, Scotland is about tartan, bagpipes and whisky, and Oban, a traditional harbour-side resort and ferry port, gives you all three and much more.

Located 156km (97 miles) north-west of Glasgow, Oban is easily accessible by car via the A85 or by train and bus from Glasgow. This small highland town is also a popular stop-off for holidaymakers en route to the Isle of Mull and the remote Western Isles, so visitors can expect a wide selection of hotels to suit all budgets. Luxurious 4-star hotels can be found along Ganavan Road and along the A85 near to the Ferry Terminal, while cheap and reliable B&Bs and backpacker hostels congregate around Dunollie Road in the town centre.

If you’re into Scotch whisky, then a trip to the town’s namesake distillery is a must. Nestled in the heart of town, Oban Distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland and is best known for its 14-year-old West Highland Malt whisky, one of the Classic Malts of Scotland.

A 10-minute walk away from the distillery takes you to the town’s most visible feature, the McCaig’s Tower, a rather incongruous Victorian folly inspired by Rome’s Colosseum. The tower was never fully completed and only the empty shell of it remains today. On a clear day, the climb from the town centre to the tower will reward you with fine views over Oban Bay to the coast and isles. These two sites are easily reached on foot, if you choose accommodation in the town centre.

Did you know that Oban is a mecca for wildlife? Ask any local and they will show you where to take a boat trip safari from the harbour to spot seals, whales, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks, seabirds, eagles and more.

You can also observe animals onshore with a visit to the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary, located in nearby Barcaldine, about a 20-minute drive up the coast. This wildlife conservation centre makes a perfect outing for families, whatever the weather. In addition to its seal rescue and rehabilitation programme, the sanctuary also has an aquarium housing exotic species ranging from seahorses to sharks. There are cheap accommodation options nearby, as well as more expensive luxury hotels.

If you prefer using your own paddle power, Oban’s National Kayak School runs sea kayaking trips around the nearby lochs and offshore islands. And if you’re up for more extreme, white-knuckle adventures, local tour operators run white-water kayaking, coasteering and canoeing activities.

There is evidence of human settlement in Oban dating back to the Mesolithic days, when cave-dwelling locals lived off the bounty of the sea. And they still do so today, though perhaps with a little more culinary flair. Matching its hotels for abundance and quality, Oban has a rich pick of restaurants, offering something to suit all tastes and budgets.

Unsurprisingly, fish and seafood dominate the menus with wonderfully fresh local catches flopping almost straight from the boat to the kitchen to your plate. There are upmarket gourmet restaurants near the two piers, modern bistros in town and, of course, many excellent fish and chip shops. You can even pick up some smoked fishy treats to take home, including world-famous Scottish smoked salmon from the Inverawe Smokehouse and Fishery, which is about 26km (16 miles) inland from Oban.