Oban a West Coast Town, Argyll

The town of Oban Argyll is a sizeable town with many facilities. It is also a beautiful west coast port serving many of the inner Hebridean islands. Such islands include Lismore, Mull, Coll, Tiree, Iona, and Colonsay, as well as Barra on the Outer Hebrides. Many tourists make Oban a base for a week or two while touring the area.

This beautiful town is west facing and has a sheltered harbour. This exists through the fortuitous position of the Island of Kerrera, which acts as a weather guard for Oban Bay. During the second world war, seaplanes were based here as there was shelter and good supply routes.

Oban has good facilities, including many restaurants, hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast establishments. It also has many shops, cafes, garages, supermarkets and a cinema. It is the largest town in the area but still manages to give a feeling of being quaint. There is also an excellent Malt Whisky Visitor centre at Oban Distillery which should not be missed.

There are excellent facilities for boats and divers within the town. Also a few miles away at Dunstaffnage as well as at Oban Marina on Kerrera. There are also launch slipways which can be used freely. The local sailing club is very small in comparison to similar clubs from smaller towns, but long term mooring can usually be arranged locally for visiting yachts.

The Town is often described as the gateway to the isles which would appear to be the case when considering the ferry services from Oban bay to:, Kerrera, Mull, Barra, Coll, Tiree, Lismore and Colonsay. There are 2 ferries to Kerrera, one from the North Pier to Oban Marina and the other which serves the mid and south of the island from a slipway about two miles south of the town.

Failte B&B Breakfast Rockfield Road Oban Argyll PA34 5DQ 01631 570219 email:- failtebedandbreakfastoban web :- obanbedandbreakfast   Failte is a charming Victorian Villa set in a quiet yet central location in an elevated position overlooking Oban Bay. It also less than a 10 minute walk from rail and bus station, ferry terminal and Oban town centre where shops and restaurants can be found as well as the towns renowned whisky distillery.

Oban Marina

The marina is based at Ardentrive bay on Kerrera overlooking the town and bay. Although there is temporary or occasional mooring along the seafront in the main town the Marina offers a better alternative for most. They offer pontoon berthing as well as swinging moorings and the facilities now include the Waypoint Bar and Grill. There is also modern shower facilities a laundry room and complimentary shuttle service to the town from early morning until late evening. The marina have ambitious expansion plans to continue to add quality berthing and services. The bar and grill have spectacular unspoilt views across the bay to the picturesque town is fast becoming one of the places to eat in the area.

Seaplane

There is now a regular daily seaplane service from the centre of Glasgow (Science Museum docks) to Oban Marina. This a short 25 minute hop in a new 9 seat Cessna. This is now a very popular service and you should book well in advance.

This is a very popular and sometimes busy port town. Visitors should not turn up looking for accommodation if they can possibly book in advance. Although it is rare these days for the towns room to be full, it does happen. At the height of summer all the good accommodation is snapped up early.

Mod 2009

The Royal National Mod gathering 2009 takes place from the 9th to the 17th of October. If you are not already booked you may well struggle to get a room at this time. This is the 106th gathering for the Mod and is a cultural celebration of the Gaelic Language music and people.

Accommodation Oban, Bed and Breakfast Argyll, Scotland, a picturesque port and island gateway centre