a historic town - OBAN
Sunset over Oban Bay Photo: scotphoto.com
Atlantic Bridge, Seil Photo: © Lensman300 / Adobe Stock
Waverley in Oban Bay Photo: scotphoto.com
Oban Photo: © Atmosphere / Adobe Stock
Tucked into the embrace of a sheltered bay, Oban has long served
For more information on Oban: visit www.westcoasttoday.co.uk – Subscribe from as little as 75p per week to keep up with all the latest news and information. Here, you will also find the digital version of this magazine and our popular visitor maps AND search ‘Hol- iday West Scotland App’ to download the app for free. Also: www.oban.org.uk is a great resource for exploring the region
monument to his family and a means of providing work for local stonemasons during the winter months. During the Second World War, Oban’s strategic importance became evident as it served as a naval base, playing a critical role in the Battle of the Atlantic. Nearby villages provided refuge for evacuees from the cities. Those interest- ed in exploring this chapter of Oban’s past can visit the War and Peace Muse- um, housed in the former Oban Times building on the Corran Esplanade. An unusual feature of Oban is that it is home to two cathedrals. St John’s Cathedral, belonging to the Scottish Episcopal Church, is located on George Street, while St Columba’s Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Argyll, stands on the Corran Espla- nade. Following the shoreline west along the esplanade, past St Columba’s Cathedral and the town’s War Memorial, visitors will find the ruins of Dunollie Castle. This 15th-century fortress, once a stronghold of the MacDougall clan, is now a popular attraction featuring a museum, scenic garden walks, and a café. Today, Oban remains a vibrant hub and cultural melting pot where Gaelic traditions are cherished. It has become a favourite destination for artists and performers, particularly during the Winter Festival and Oban Games, when its venues often attract well-known acts and entertainment.
Beyond its regular Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services, Oban wel- comes an array of fascinating vessels, from majestic tall ships and ex-herring drifters to cruise liners and the famous Waverley paddle steamer. A particularly exciting event was last year’s world-re- nowned Clipper Race which marked the first time in history that it visited Oban and we are all delighted it will be returning to Oban in 2026. For those who enjoy boat-watching, the North Pier offers a prime vantage point, with glass-fronted restaurants provid- ing both stunning views and delicious food. Alternatively, a trip up to McCaig’s Tower offers a breathtaking panoram- ic perspective—especially at sunset, when the town and its historic sur- roundings are bathed in golden light.
as a gateway to the Hebrides. Its prime coastal position has
shaped its history and will no doubt continue to influence its future. While ancient settlements lie nearby and Viking raids once swept along this shoreline, Oban’s vibrant ‘seafood capital of Scotland’ accolade is relative- ly recent. Much of the modern town developed around a fishing station, established in 1786, and the whisky dis- tillery that opened in 1794—originally a
brewery producing ‘Cowbell Ale.’ The arrival of steamships and rail
connections further fuelled the town’s growth, attracting notable visitors such as Queen Victoria, who described Oban as ‘one of the finest spots we have seen.’ The grandeur of that prosperous period is still evident today in the Victorian buildings that line the waterfront. One of Oban’s most distinctive land- marks, McCaig’s Tower, dominates the skyline from Battery Hill. This striking colosseum-like structure was the brain- child of banker John Stuart McCaig, who commissioned it in 1897 as both a
MV Isle of Mull departing Oban Bay Photo: scotphoto.com
9
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator