Oban

Oban and its surroundings

The bustling seaside town, nestling on the shores of Oban Bay, is known as the "Gateway to the Isles". From the harbour there are regular ferry services to the sacred Isle of Iona, to Staffa, Mull, Colonsay and many other islands. There are numerous cruises and trips by both ferry and private charter available for visitors to Oban, but if you'd rather keep your feet on dry land, the vista from McCaig's Tower on Oban hill or the viewing point on Pulpit Hill are spectacular.

The Tower is of particular interest to us at the Balmoral, since the banker named McCaig who was responsible for starting this huge project (as a scheme to provide work for the unemployed masons in the region) had as his family house what later became the Balmoral. Later events overtook him, employment picked up again for his workforce, and the Tower was never finished. It now provides stunning views over Oban, the harbour and the islands of Kerrera and Mull, and also contains some beautiful gardens.

Oban town centre boasts an enticing selection of shops and there's a superb swimming pool (with separate children's pool), an adventure playground, squash and tennis courts and a bowling green. There's also yachting, sailing, sea and loch angling, sub aqua sports, golf, hill walking and riding on the doorstep and numerous visitor attractions in and around Oban, including many beautiful gardens warmed by the Gulf Stream with glorious massed blooms of azaleas and rhododendrons, at their best in the spring.