How to spend your time in and around Oban together.
Views from McCaig's Tower
Oban’s iconic, colosseum-inspired ruin offers the best views of Oban Bay.
Take a selfie from McCaig’s Tower viewing platform – or frame your partner in one of the 50 lancet arches with Kerrera in the background.
The best selfie view is of looking north towards St. Columba Cathedral.
Visit the Isle of Kerrera
Hop on the Kerrera Water Taxi and take the short ride across the bay to the Isle of Kerrera. There’s a short walk from the marina to Hutcheson’s Monument, or you can take a more adventurous hike and head south from the marina to visit Gylen Castle on the southern tip of Kerrera.
This is a much longer walk, but you can return by the Calmac ferry, which is halfway between the marina and Gylen Castle. Refreshments are available from the Waypoint Café at the island's northern end at Kerrera Marina or the Tea Garden at the southern end, close to Gylen Castle ruins.
Romantic Guided Walks
Take a guided walking tour with a local, or follow the QR trail and explore the town’s history and heritage in your own time. Don’t miss the antics of the characterful Black Guillemots, which nest between the granite stones of Oban’s old sea wall, as you stroll along the Esplanade on your way to St. Columba’s Cathedral, the War Memorial and Dunollie Dogstone.
Whisky Tastings
Book a tour of Oban Malt whisky distillery and sample a dram or three! Oban's Classic Malt is the second oldest and second smallest distillery in Scotland and is at the heart of the town. Great whisky cocktails and whisky flights are available without pre-booking from the whisky bar above the distillery gift shop.
Seafood Delights
Join the queue at Oban’s famous Green Seafood Shack on the south pier and enjoy fresh shellfish, eaten in the open air – just watch out for the greedy gulls. If you prefer to eat indoors try Eeusk on North Pier, Coast on George Street or the Waterfront Fishhouse Restaurant next to the fishmongers behind the Calmac passenger terminal.
Spa Time
Oban offers two hotel spas in the town centre: The Pearl Hotel Mara Spa and Oban Bay Hotel Spa. Further afield, near Benderloch but located on its own private island, the Isle of Eriska Hotel Spa is nestled beside the hotel’s golf course. All of these hotel spas are open to non-residents, but advance booking is recommended.
Wild about Wellness
A recent addition to the wellness offerings in Oban and Lorn is the wood-fired mobile sauna operated by Wild Bathing Experiences. Usually located at Dunbeg (Scottish Association of Marine Science beach campus) or Tralee beach near Benderloch village, this pop-up sauna can be booked privately or enjoyed as part of a wild swimming experience.
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