Oban

Oban (Scottish Gaelic: An t-Òban) is a town in Argyll and Bute on the northwest coast of Scotland. It's a transport hub and most visitors are passing through on the way to the Hebrides, only staying overnight if ferry / train schedules make that necessary; conversely, Hebrideans come here for shopping and other necessities. The main reason to regard Oban as a destination in its own right is for sea sports, including kayaking, scuba-diving, wildlife-watching and fishing. It also has great local sea food. In 2021 the population was 8060.

Ferries from Oban sail to Lismore, Mull, Colonsay, Coll, Tiree, Barra and Kerrara. Kerrara is so close that it's effectively an outlying district of Oban, and therefore described on this page.

Visitor information

 * Visit Oban website
 * on North Pier is the Tourist Information Centre. It's open Tu-Sa 9:30AM - 5PM. It is open until 27 Oct 2024, and may not reopen after then.

By plane
Glasgow Airport is closest and has a good range of UK and European flights. Hiring a car, turn west onto M8 then cross Erskine Bridge to join A82 north. By public transport go into central Glasgow for the bus or train to Oban. You could save time by taking a taxi from the airport to Dumbarton Central station, where the Oban trains stop: reckon £20-25.

Edinburgh Airport by car doesn't take much longer and has more destinations. It's west of the city so you turn straight onto M9 north.

By train
Trains from Glasgow Queen Street run up the West Highland Line, taking 3 hours 10 min to Oban via Dumbarton Central, Helensburgh Upper and Crianlarich (where a portion divides for Fort William and Mallaig). There are six M-Sa, with the first running north around 5:20AM for 8:40AM, the last at 6:20PM for 9:30PM. Southbound back to Glasgow the first is around 5:20AM, the last at 8:30PM. There's only three trains on Sunday.

Oban railway station is in town centre next to the ferry terminal. It has a staffed ticket office, toilets and waiting room. There is step-free access to all platforms.

By bus
By bus: Citylink 975 / 976 / 977 runs six times a day from Glasgow Buchanan station, either via Arrochar, Inveraray and Taynuilt, or via Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Taynuilt, taking 3 hr 10 min to Oban.

Bus 978 runs daily from Edinburgh and takes 4 hours via Edinburgh airport, Grangemouth, Stirling, Doune, Callander, Crianlarich, Dalmally and Taynuilt.

West Coast Motors Bus 918 runs twice M-Sa from Fort William (90 min), where it connects with the bus from Inverness.

Bus 418 runs five times M-Sa across Clachan Bridge to the island of Seil, connecting with the ferries to Luing and Easdale.

The bus terminus in Oban is by the railway station and ferry terminal.

By road
From Glasgow follow A82 north to Crianlarich then A85 west to Oban, 100 miles, say 2 hr 30 min as it's a busy undivided highway. From Edinburgh take M9 to Dunblane then A84 and A85 through Doune and Callander.

Connel Bridge, which carries A828 north to Ballachulish and Fort William, is being upgraded in 2023 / 24, and this means periods of closure — check ahead for these.

A good choice in town for overnight parking, if space is available, is the railway station car park. It's out of the usual trajectory of late-night drunks and in 2023 costs £3 for 24 hours. An old sign warns that your ticket expires at midnight, but that's not correct.

By boat
is the port for Calmac car ferries to Lismore, Mull, Coll, Tiree, Colonsay and Barra. There's also a weekly ferry to Islay, but you're better sailing via Kennacraig. See the island pages for details of these and alternative routes. Oban ferry terminal is next to the railway station. By road you may think you've overshot, as you reach south edge of town, then you come to a sharp right. If you pass the lifeboat station you've gone too far.

Booking ahead is always wise, and it's essential for caravans and motorhomes - these are not permitted to join the unbooked stand-by queue. You'd be sent away to make a booking, and if you couldn't sail that day, at least you'd have accommodation. This rule improves space in the queue but is more about capacity to shoehorn cars into odd spaces on the ferry, that couldn't possibly fit a caravan. The policy applies to all Calmac ports (except a few minor "turn up and go" routes) but is especially relevant to the major outbound port of Oban.

Also with a caravan or motorhome, in summer be prepared at check-in to show a pitch reservation at your destination, else you may be turned away. All the Scottish islands have a problem in summer with visitor vehicles camping illegally on the verges and passing places.

See "Get around" for routes to the nearby islands in Loch Linnhe. is the port for small private craft, on A85 five miles north of town. Cruises of the Hebrides often depart from here.

Get around
Most sights in town can be reached on foot, but some accommodation is up a fairly steep hill.

West Coast Motors run buses in and around Oban. The only one you're likely to use is the 005 / 405, which runs north hourly M-Sa to Dunbeg (a one-mile walk to Dunstaffnage), Connel bridge, Oban Airport, Benderloch and Barcaldine.

Kerrera: Calmac ferries sail from Gallanach, the jetty 3 miles south of Oban, to Kerrara, taking only 5 min. There are over a dozen ferries daily, year-round; mid-morning and mid-afternoon they're every 30 min. Until end of March 2025 the return fare is £3.70 adult, £1.90 child aged 5-15. Visitor cars are not carried and you don't need one; bikes are free but space is limited.

See

 * Dunollie Lighthouse is on Ganavan Road 200 yards south of the turn-off to the castle. It's a 20-foot tower first lit in 1892 and more accurately described as a "sector light" - the colour displayed indicates whether you're too far east or west, or correctly positioned entering the narrow channel to Oban harbour.
 * The Dog Stone just north of the lighthouse was once a sea stack and is now on a raised beach ashore. Legend invokes the Bran the dog of Fingal McCool, but truth is stranger: a flash flood in a desert 415 million years ago heaped up boulders that became conglomerated.
 * Dunollie Lighthouse is on Ganavan Road 200 yards south of the turn-off to the castle. It's a 20-foot tower first lit in 1892 and more accurately described as a "sector light" - the colour displayed indicates whether you're too far east or west, or correctly positioned entering the narrow channel to Oban harbour.
 * The Dog Stone just north of the lighthouse was once a sea stack and is now on a raised beach ashore. Legend invokes the Bran the dog of Fingal McCool, but truth is stranger: a flash flood in a desert 415 million years ago heaped up boulders that became conglomerated.
 * Dunollie Lighthouse is on Ganavan Road 200 yards south of the turn-off to the castle. It's a 20-foot tower first lit in 1892 and more accurately described as a "sector light" - the colour displayed indicates whether you're too far east or west, or correctly positioned entering the narrow channel to Oban harbour.
 * The Dog Stone just north of the lighthouse was once a sea stack and is now on a raised beach ashore. Legend invokes the Bran the dog of Fingal McCool, but truth is stranger: a flash flood in a desert 415 million years ago heaped up boulders that became conglomerated.
 * The Dog Stone just north of the lighthouse was once a sea stack and is now on a raised beach ashore. Legend invokes the Bran the dog of Fingal McCool, but truth is stranger: a flash flood in a desert 415 million years ago heaped up boulders that became conglomerated.

Do

 * What's on? Read Oban Times or listen to Oban FM on 103.3 FM.
 * Phoenix Cinema is at 140 George St.
 * Atlantis Leisure has a gym, pool and fitness classes. It's up the hill on Dalriach Rd.
 * Day trips to Mull, Iona and Fingal's Cave are run by West Coast Tours, Turus Mara and Staffa Tours. These use the Calmac ferry to reach Mull.
 * Beaches: the coast near town is rocky. Two small sandy beaches are north of Dunollie on Ganavan Road, but the best is Ganavan Sands at road's end. North end of the beach is Ganavan Maze, a symbolic and modern course of concentric stone circles.
 * Boat cruises to St Kilda and other remote Hebridean places sail from Dunstaffnage Marina. These are large live-aboard boats on 7- to 10-day itineraries. (Day trips to St Kilda use small boats from Skye or Harris, but from the mainland would be too far for a day.) Operators include Hebrides Cruises, Majestic Line and St Hilda Sea Adventures. It's best to reserve well in advance.
 * Diving: Puffin Dive Centre is at Port Gallanach PA34 4QH, south of town near the ferry pier for Kerrara. You'll want a drysuit, though in summer a chunky wetsuit may suffice.
 * is reached by a short ferry ride from Gallanach south of town. From the landing pier are two hiking trails: south with Gylen Castle and north with Hutcheson's Monument.
 * Golf: Glencruiten GC is half a mile east of town. It's a short but hilly parkland course, white tees 4471 yards, par 62.
 * Rugby Union: Oban Lorne RFC play in the amateur leagues at Mossfield Park, east towards the golf course.
 * Shinty: Oban Camanachd play in the MOWI Premiership, the top tier. Oban Celtic play in the National Division, the second tier. The playing season is April-Oct.
 * Oban Games & Argyllshire Gathering are held at Mossfield Park on the fourth Thursday in August, with the next on Th 22 Aug 2024. Lorne Highland Games are no longer held.
 * Royal National Mòd is a festival of Celtic / Gaelic literature, music and culture held in autumn. The next is held in Oban on 11-19 Oct 2024. The 2025 Mòd is in Fort William and Lochabers.
 * Royal National Mòd is a festival of Celtic / Gaelic literature, music and culture held in autumn. The next is held in Oban on 11-19 Oct 2024. The 2025 Mòd is in Fort William and Lochabers.

Buy

 * Supermarkets are on the retail park south side of town, and include Tesco, M&S, Aldi and Lidl.
 * Fuel: don't venture out to the islands or into the Highlands with a low tank. Tesco Fuel is as cheap as you'll find hereabouts, open daily 6AM-8PM.

Eat

 * Oban Seafood Hut is the green shack by the ferry pier serving seafood to go daily 10:00-18:00. Watch the ferries as you dine al wafto, flapping your hands about to keep off marauding seagulls and midges.
 * Olive Garden by the ferry pier serves steak, seafood and burgers W-Su noon-9PM.
 * The View at 34 George St has trad pub food and live music, open Su-W noon-midnight, Th-Sa noon-2AM.
 * China Restaurant is at 39 Stafford St, open M-Sa 12:00-14:00, 17:00-22:30, Su 17:00-22:30.
 * Piazza is part of Ee-usk and serves Italian.
 * Coast serves trad fare, mainly seafood, in a former bank at 104 George St. It's open M-Sa noon-2PM, 5:30-9PM, Su 5-9PM.
 * The Barn is at Cologin 2 miles south, see "Sleep".
 * Piazza is part of Ee-usk and serves Italian.
 * Coast serves trad fare, mainly seafood, in a former bank at 104 George St. It's open M-Sa noon-2PM, 5:30-9PM, Su 5-9PM.
 * The Barn is at Cologin 2 miles south, see "Sleep".
 * The Barn is at Cologin 2 miles south, see "Sleep".

Drink
Oban is the subject of an ode by the great William McGonagall - see Dundee for his career and other poetic gems. That's mentioned here because it helps you appreciate his artistry if you chug some whisky before reading him, during, after, and even better instead of.
 * Whisky Vaults Hotel at 3 Tweedale St has ten rooms en suite but most come here for the whisky bar.
 * Whisky Vaults Hotel at 3 Tweedale St has ten rooms en suite but most come here for the whisky bar.
 * Whisky Vaults Hotel at 3 Tweedale St has ten rooms en suite but most come here for the whisky bar.
 * Whisky Vaults Hotel at 3 Tweedale St has ten rooms en suite but most come here for the whisky bar.
 * Whisky Vaults Hotel at 3 Tweedale St has ten rooms en suite but most come here for the whisky bar.

Splurge

 * Airds Hotel quarter of a mile from the Pierhouse also gets rave reviews for comfort and food, similar price.
 * Airds Hotel quarter of a mile from the Pierhouse also gets rave reviews for comfort and food, similar price.
 * Airds Hotel quarter of a mile from the Pierhouse also gets rave reviews for comfort and food, similar price.
 * Airds Hotel quarter of a mile from the Pierhouse also gets rave reviews for comfort and food, similar price.
 * Airds Hotel quarter of a mile from the Pierhouse also gets rave reviews for comfort and food, similar price.

Connect
As of April 2023, Oban and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. Finish any important calls before taking the ferry, as coverage is patchy further west. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Sail west on a ferry. A day trip is enough to see Lismore; Mull and Iona can be done as a day trip but deserve longer. Further away are Coll, Tiree, Colonsay, Barra and South Uist.
 * Go north to Fort William for Ben Nevis, and routes to Loch Ness and Skye.
 * Go south for the bridge to Seil, which along with Luing and Easdale islands was once quarried for slate.
 * Further south see Arduaine Garden, the extensive prehistoric area of Kilmartin, and  Tarbert which has ferries to Islay.
 * Go southeast towards Glasgow, seeing Inveraray, the Cowal peninsula and Loch Lomond.