Oban and Around

We have had such a good time in and around Oban. It’s a gorgeous place, not at all run down like so many seaside places.

CalMac ferry Clansman leaves Oban harbour, Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
CalMac ferry Clansman leaves Oban harbour, Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.

The town has a lovely harbour, and is the port for Mull and some smaller islands, so it”s always full of ferries.

McCaigs Tower, Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
McCaigs Tower, Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.

It’s dominated by McCaig’s Tower, another of those “memorials” the Victorian merchants were so fond of. This was meant to be a memorial to the McCaig family, and was intended to have statues of family members inside, but McCaig died before it was finished, and the project was abandoned. It’s still something different, and sets the town apart.

2015_09_2231

Lots of interesting buildings make the town very photogenic. However, this is our third visit and it’s the first time we’ve seen the sun!

Oban from McCaigs Tower, with St Columba's Roman Catholic Cathedral on the waterfront, Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Oban from McCaigs Tower, with St Columba’s Roman Catholic Cathedral on the waterfront, Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.

It’s very steep, and quite tiring to walk around all day.

Piermasters Office, Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Piermasters Office, Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Hotels and guest houses, on the promenade at Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK,
Hotels and guest houses, on the promenade at Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK,

Houses and hotels in the Scottish style, with the high front gables. And cabbage trees, can you just make one out?

Houses and apartments on the promenade at Oban, with McCaigs Tower on the skyline, Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Houses and apartments on the promenade at Oban, with McCaigs Tower on the skyline, Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.

Lots of oldies about mid week, same as everywhere. We fit right in!

Oban fishing fleet, Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Oban fishing fleet, Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.

That is Mull on the horizon. We went there four years ago, so are missing it out this time. We have been away a month already, and have to be back in Yorkshire by Christmas.

Dunstaffnage Castle, near Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Dunstaffnage Castle, near Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.

There are a lot of castles about. All those Scottish clans needed a stronghold!

Scottish Blackface Rams at Kilchurn Castle, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Scottish Blackface Rams at Kilchurn Castle, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Loch Awe, and a distant view to the Loch Awe Hotel, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Loch Awe, and a distant view to the Loch Awe Hotel, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.

View from the ramparts!

Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.

For this view, and we went twice, you have to indulge in the sport of Scottish bog hopping.2015_09_1888

Castle Stalker by moonlight, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Castle Stalker by moonlight, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.

Have wanted to visit Castle Stalker for many years, but the light was a bit disappointing. Will have to try again some time. This is privately owned and has been renovated, and is a family home.  You can visit the castle sometimes, they fetch you in a rowing boat! and tell you all the history.

Connel Bridge spanning Loch Etive at Connel, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Connel Bridge spanning Loch Etive at Connel, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.

A famous kayaking spot which exists only at very low tide, and according to Google, at high tide too. The following are pics from the bridge at low tide.

2015_09_2163

This is a sea loch, that’s why it has tides.

2015_09_2284

There were four of them, could hear lots of woo-hooing, but they didn’t manage to all get on together. Apparently this extra tongue at the side is unusual.

2015_09_2285

Looks fun, but I don’t think I will try it!

The Clachan Bridge, known as the Bridge Over the Atlantic, which connects the Scottish mainland with the Island of Seil, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
The Clachan Bridge, known as the Bridge Over the Atlantic, which connects the Scottish mainland with the Island of Seil, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.

The locals claim that the island, on the left, is surrounded by the Atlantic, that’s why it’s called what it is.

After a great week, we are now off to Glencoe. Would like to stay longer, but lots more places to go.

One thought on “Oban and Around

Leave a Reply to Kelby Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *