Oban is a beautiful resort town situated in Argyll and Bute. Although the Scottish weather may not always be in your favour, there are many ways to make the most of your stay in Oban. Braw has compiled a list, so you don’t have to.
1. Oban Distillery
Oban Distillery is a whiskey distillery which was established in 1794. It is possible to book tours around the distillery, letting you in on the secret of making great whiskey while having a few drams to taste it for yourself. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, making you feel very welcome and safe. There is also a gift shop where you can purchase a bottle of whiskey to take home with you, but they don’t only sell whiskey; they also sell sweatshirts with their logo, candles, whiskey glasses, satchels and many other interesting items.
Visit their website here to book.
2. Day Trips to Iona, Mull and Staffa
If you fancy having a peek at the surrounding islands, daily boat trips escort you across the water to Iona, Mull and Staffa. The Inner Hebridean Islands are full of beautiful Scottish scenery, rugged coastal views and various wildlife.
Find out more about each island here.
3. McCaig’s Tower
McCaig’s tower is a colosseum like structure which overlooks the town. It was designed by a wealthy banker named John Stuart McCaig and was built in 1897. It provides spectacular views of Oban’s bay, and within the tower are beautiful gardens which provide a peaceful area to relax after the long climb up to the top.
4. Seal Tours
From the main port, there are breathtaking boat tours which take passengers on a one-hour trip to the seal colony on their own island behind the isle of Kerrera. This is a must-see for animal lovers, and the friendly skippers will answer any questions you have about the wildlife or history of the surrounding areas.
5. Parsley, Oban’s ambassador cat
Parsley is a Red Tabby Maine Coon who has become a staple of Oban. A rare sight, Parsley spends a lot of his time at local landmarks, hotels, churches and his favourite pub, The Balmoral. He is also more commonly found at New Hope Cafe on Soroba Road from 2-3 pm every Friday. He has an international following on Facebook, and people come from all over just to meet the fluffy fella.
Feature Image Credit: Robyn Duffy
BA (Hons) Film, Media and Journalism graduate. Freelance Journalist for Brig Newspaper and Entertainment Daily. Head of Social Media for Brig Newspaper.
Passionate about diversity, inclusion and representation.
