About the Oban Area
Oban, Scotland, United Kingdom
We live in the country, on a small Croft just off a single track road. We love the peace and quiet, beautiful views and farm lifestyle. Oban, a harbour town is only 15 minute drive away connecting the mainland to the inner Hebrides for brilliant day trips to Mull, Iona and other islands. You can also catch boat trips to spot some wildlife from Oban.
Other ideas for day trips when the weather's not great include the Georgian town of Inveraray where there is a magnificent castle home to the current Duke of Argyll, or a drive to the majestic and atmospheric Glencoe is nothing short of breathtaking, even on a rainy wild day!
Many restaurants serve the freshest local seafood in Oban, the seafood capital of Scotland and there are also a few pubs and bars with brilliant views of the harbour in Oban.
Getting Around
The easiest way to get around is by car, there is a bus service that runs also. Oban is a 15 minute drive or you could cycle along the path that runs near to the pods and take in amazing views.
Connel Bridge
Cafes, Restaurants and Bars
Our favourite places to go out for food and drinks.
Coast Restaurant
One of Oban’s best seafood restaurants, Coast is a firm favourite of ours and locals alike serving local freshly sourced shellfish, meat and fish. Definitely recommend for a couples dinner or even lunch. They are shut on Sunday and Mondays till April and booking is advisable.
Poppies
Poppies garden centre is our local cafe and is fantastic! From hearty breakfasts to afternoon pick me ups from their fabulous home baking selection, a trip here is never a bad idea. They have a wonderful selection of local gifts and crafts and gorgeous home decor in their shop.
Falls of Lora
The Falls of Lora hotel is our favourite go-to local. Having recently undergone a major refurbishment the hotel hasn’t comprised on its true west highland hospitality, a cosy atmosphere and it’s roaring fire and great bar meal food it’s very popular with locals. It’s even within walking distance from the pods on a good night (40 minutes) and takes you over Connel bridge where you can see the strong tidal currents and seals chilling out on the rocks at low tide. Booking is advisable!
The Old Inn
Absolutely fantastic renovated “old inn” turned steakhouse. It serves proper steak ranging from rumps and sirloins to T-bones and whopping 40oz ribeyes. Excellent beer choice and even better wine list this joint does not pretend to be something it’s not, alongside its honest, brilliant food the inn retains its character with exposed stone walls, candle lit tables and log burning stove. Booking essential and is about 30 mins drive from the pod.
China Restaurant
If you’re after a Chinese takeaway, look no further! We are very lucky in Oban to have such a brilliant Chinese restaurant. The China restaurant( beside Oban Distillery) has all the favourites on their menu and very generous portions. We’d recommend going into town to get it, but they also deliver. You can get their menu on their Facebook page.
Tigh An Truish Hotel
Tigh an Truish is a small 5 Star inn and boasts an AA rosette awarded restaurant with head chef William Rocks at the helm who was recently on Masterchef in 2022. Tigh an Truish holds special memories for myself (Calum) spending sunny days out with my parents and papa having bar meals outside.
Located on the Isle of Seil, across the Atlantic bridge the TnT makes for a great lunch spot after a trip to Ellenabeich, an old slate mining village with dramatic coastline and beach. This is also where the Seafari Tours run from to the Corryvreckan.
Day Trips
Isle of Mull
Tobermory
No visit to Oban is complete without a trip on one of Calmac’s ferries across to the Isle of Mull.
The Isle of Mull is best enjoyed with a car, as public transport is limited and the best spots are difficult to reach with the bus!
Mull is a stunning island no matter what time of year and lets you taste Scottish island life in a day. From 13th Century Duart Castle to the white sandy beaches at Calgary bay, to the picturesque colourful harbour town of Tobermory and the brilliant bakery and restaurants, it’s definitely one of our top recommendations for guests.
A 45 minute sailing (booking absolutely essential in summer months, available at www.calmac.co.uk) takes you from Oban to Craignure passing Lismore lighthouse and through the sound of Mull. From there, Tobermory is a 45 minute drive north. The town itself is wonderful for a walk around and it soon captivates you with its charm. The distillery is a brilliant place to visit with guided tours and if you like whisky, you’ll be delighted. MacGochans pub is the place to head for lunch, or Café Fish offering freshly caught fish and shellfish. The Tobermory chocolate shop is also one for the list.
Calgary bay, a stunning beach, is about 40 minutes drive from Tobermory and gives stunning views out towards neighbouring island, Coll. It really is worth the trip! Summer or winter!
Heading South when you get off the ferry, guests could also explore the island of Iona. It is absolutely incredible, it was recently voted the UK’s top tourist hidden gem and you’ll soon see why! Iona can be accessed by catching a second foot passenger ferry from Fionnphort which is an hours drive south once you land on Mull. Guests can park their car near the slipway and board the vessel that shuttles back and forth in the summer months, less frequent in the winter. Iona boasts its 14th century Abbey, once home to St. Columba, and is fascinating to wander around. Iona also has absolutely incredible beaches to the north of the island, just follow the road as there is only one and you’ll come across it. You won’t be disappointed. There are also a few cafes and beautiful shops on the island offering unique and local crafts from the island.
A trip to Tobermory will take up most of a day and a trip to Iona will be about the same between sailing times and driving.
Isle of Kerrera
The Isle of Kerrera is a fantastic island to explore and has the ruins of a 16th century castle and seasonal tearoom. It's a hidden gem in the area only 20 minutes drive from the pods. The Carvoria, operated by Calmac is the ferry that runs from Gallanach slipway over to Kerrera shuttling back and forth every 30 minutes during the summer months. Just remember to take a note of the last boat back! There is a small carpark right at the slip however it does fill up pretty quick, we'd say the earlier you get there the better chance there is of getting a space. Failing that Oban is only 30 minutes walk away with more parking options. The trail to Gylen Castle is well signposted and takes you via the tearoom and takes about an hour to walk there. It is mostly tracked road however you do need to cross through a field once you get near the castle. If you are outwith the tearooms opening season a picnic is a good idea. The castle has superb views over to the Isles of Seil, Scarba and Mull. The castle itself has recently been restored and is fascinating to go inside and explore.
Inveraray
Inveraray is a colonial style coastal town about an hours drive away. It has a real charm to it and is a good day out option when the weather's a bit rubbish. Inveraray Castle is stunning and has lots of history, it’s still inhabited by the current Duke of Argyll and his family. It’s open during the summer months and we’d certainly recommend visiting, failing that or in the winter Inveraray jail is also an excellent place to visit and gives insight to life many years ago in this area. For food, we would recommend the George Hotel on the Main Street. It serves good pub food in a cosy atmosphere with open fires and real ales. It recently won an award for best pub in the UK.
Glencoe Mountain Resort
Glencoe mountain resort is a ski resort in the winter time and offers chairlift rides, mountain biking and hill walking in the summer. The chairlift offers stunning panoramic views right down Glencoe and across Rannoch Moor and over towards Black Mount and the back of the Mamores.The wintertime offers brilliant skiing at Scotland's first ski centre with a ski/snowboard rental, cafes and lessons available also. It’s about an hours drive away and opposite Kingshouse hotel which has just been renovated and has commanding views from its bar. Please ask myself, Calum, for any more information as I previously worked at Glencoe mountain resort. It’s definitely worth a visit!
Seafari Adventures
A fantastic general marine wildlife and nature experience, the Corryvreckan Wildlife Tour culminates in a visit to the infamous Gulf of Corryvreckan, home to the World’s Third Largest Whirlpool. With 3 powerful open RIBs, Seafari Adventures offers the best in ‘Corryvreckan Cruises’. The boats depart frequently throughout the day.
Waterproofs are provided by the Seafari team.
Walks
Sutherland's Grove forest walks
Sutherlands Grove is a stunning woodland walk that takes you through ancient Woodland and waterfalls and the occasional red squirrel. It takes about 40 minutes to walk upto the reservoir and the trail can be looked at the the start of the walk. There are other routes you can take varying in walking time however we both like the route that goes upto the reservoir. Try and see if you can spot the wooden trolls that live under the bridge!
Tralee Bay
Tralee bay is situated about 5 minutes drive away and is just through the village of Benderloch. It is opposite a holiday park and has a car park nearby. The beach is a short walk by a signposted footpath with shingle at one end at sand dunes at the other. It's our local beach which is excellent to visit in the summer and even paddle-able with it being shallow. \it is quieter on hotter days than Oban's Ganavan Sands, and even in the winter time it's a great brisk walk to blow any cobwebs away.
The car park is in Benderloch opposite the Pink Shop. The walk to the beach is signposted.
Beinn Lora
Beinn Lora is a hill that can be seen from the pods and its fine position allows its small 308m elevation incredible views much that you'd get from a Munro without the leg work. Although you can carry on right to the summit, the view from the picnic benches is much the same magnificent view. Any higher than this it starts to get quite boggy and wet feet are a certainty. Trail routes can be checked at the start of the walk.
It does take about an hour and a half and is quite steep in places so not for the faint hearted! Certainly worth it though.
Glencoe Lochan Trail
Glencoe Lochan is certainly a must for those who prefer a more relaxed stroll with breathtaking views of the Lochan and mountains towering above. The Lochan is man made and was a token of love built by Lord Strathcona for his Canadian bride to remind her of home. It’s very romantic with its small jettys on the Lochan's edge and wooden benches in the ancient woodland for a relaxing picnic. If you don’t have a picnic packed I’d definitely make a trip to Crafts and Things cafe in Glencoe. A traditional Scottish tearoom serving light meals and delicious home baking, not to be missed!
Glencoe is about 35 minutes drive from the pods.
Sightseeing
St. Conan’s Kirk
St. Conans Kirk is an absolutely stunning Kirk, just as you come into Loch Awe. Finished in 1930 it was built by Walter Douglas-Campbell.
In a 2016 Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland public poll it was voted one of the Top 10 buildings in Scotland of the last 100 years.
Keep an eye out for the gargoyles on the roof outside!
Cruachan Visitor Centre
Cruachan Power Station or the hollow mountain as it locally known is a hydro electric reservoir with the massive turbine hall located inside the mountain.
A brilliant rainy day trip, Cruachan is located about 25 minutes drive from the pods. There is guided tours taken by mini bus inside the mountain and you may find yourself thinking you’ve ended up on a James Bond film set!
The tour guides are very informative and the tour itself lasts about 30 mins.