Oban Travel Guide

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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Oban, on the coast adjoining the Scottish Highliands, is the seafood and sea-kayaking capital of Scotland. Plus, thanks to its distilleries, it also shaping up to be a thriving whisky producing area too.

The region, to most, is known as being the gateway to the isles of Mull, Colonsay, Kerrera, Lismore, Islay, Coll and Tiree, as well as the Outer Hebrides. But the town itself is incredibly pretty, rising out of the sea along cobbled roads lined with traditional fishing cottages of all shapes, sizes and colours.

But the big draw to this region is the countryside. Most people come to Oban to hike, bike, kayak or sail. It is not as mountainous as other parts of the highlands, so is better suited to families. With this in mind, there is a Murder Mystery Walking Trail which will have you following clues and riddles along your walk, making it more interesting for little ones.

If you want something a little more energetic, climb Ben Lora. It is just a few miles north of Oban, so no need for motorised transportation and has stunning views over the town and Ardmucknish Bay and out to the Isles of Mull.

If ...
... you want to get a good sense of the local landscape but you''re also interested in wildlife, you can visit some of the deserted islands and monasteries which house countless species of birds and animals. And there is a lot of wildlife that call this region home, from whales to dolphins, sharks to eagles, it''s all here in one of the richest areas for diversity in marine life.

A great way to see the coastline is by kayak. You will be able to get up close and personal with the wildlife mentioned above but you will also see some of the most picture-perfect visit in the UK.

The geology of the region is unique too. There are enormous sea caves, towering cliffs, sandy beaches and old, hardened volcanic lava flows.

You can choose to spend just a day at sea, or make you way along the coastline over several days, setting up camp in the open air, under the stars, every night.

One thing to note is the weather. Although the summer isn''t exactly Mediterranean, it''s certainly the best time to visit Oban as the winters are inhospitably freezing, when the town awakens from its winter slumber and blossoms into life.

One thing to note is the weather. It never gets very hot, but the winters are bitterly cold, so the best time to visit is during the summer, when the town awakens from its winter slumber and blossoms into life. Bonny Kominek is a travel expert and freelance writer. They recommend Octopus Travel for Oban hotels.