Oban’s known as the connection between the lowlands and highlands of Scotland. Though is started out as a wee fishing village with not many things to do in Oban, Oban is now the heart of connections to the Scottish isles, is home to Oban whisky, and is all the hustle and bustle of tourists coming from Fort Williams and heading to see the Loch Ness Monster!
Oban is built up around the heart of the town, the Oban Distillery. In 1794, Hugh and John Stevenson saw the massive potential Oban had, created the distillery, and what soon followed after was just as expected…masses of people turning this wee village into what is it today. Visiting Oban wouldn’t be complete without taking a look at these 10 things to do in Oban.
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How To Get To Oban
Getting to Oban via Car
It’s not too hard to check out google maps and find the “fastest” route to Oban, however… what google maps doesn’t account for is the crazy roads in Scotland. If you’re looking to drive to Oban, Scotland, be sure you tack on extra time for getting stuck behind tractors, driving slower than the speed limit from narrow roads, and stopping for photographs along the way!
When in Scotland, we always recommend renting a car! It’s the best bang for your buck with public transportation being expensive, and tours being well, filled with too many tourists!
Renting a car in Scotland and driving to Oban allows you to stop at castles, and scenic views along the way.. and honestly is really cheap — think under 20 USD for a day!
Top Things To Do In Oban
Eat Some Of The Best Fish And Chips In Scotland
Hands down, our number one recommendation for things to do in Oban, indulging in some of the best fish and chips in all of Scotland.
Lillian and the crew at Oban Fish and Chips have decided to take a healthier option for frying their seafood, and use rapeseed oil instead of the traditional lard/oil. This makes an astounding difference in the taste of the fish and chips, and ahhh… is an absolute must!
We’ve gone out of our way several times to pop in and get Oban Fish and Chips! Bring your fish and chips to the next level and ask for some of their homemade tartar sauce! Drool-Worthy!
Traveler’s Tip | If it’s a nice day, take your fish and chips out to the harbor and enjoy the meal while really experiencing the hustle and bustle, yet relaxed atmosphere of Oban!
READ MORE | Top Three Fish and Chip Shops in Scotland
Visit McCaig’s Tower
McCaig’s Tower is the absolute perfect backdrop to Oban. Built in 1897 for no other reason than to employ the unemployed, this tower is a memorial to the McCaig family, and a beautiful addition to the town of Oban.
The views of the harbor and neighboring islands are lovely from up here!
One of the best outdoor activities to do in Oban is hiking to McCaig’s Tower and enjoying a bottle of wine or a dram of whisky at the tower, watching the sunset over the Scottish Isles!
Traveler’s Tip | The walk up to McCaig’s Tower is lovely, but it’s all uphill. If you’re not able to do the walk, there is a parking lot at the tower.
Relax On The Beach In Oban
The dead-end road out of the city to the north hides Oban’s best-kept secret, Ganavan Beach… a beautiful beach that deserves to be in the Caribbean.
The free two hours of parking give you just enough time to take a dip in the waters on a warm day or sit and enjoy a cuppa with a beautiful view. Or, pay for a bit longer parking and brave the chilly waters for a quick swim!
There are bathrooms here and the beach is rather easy to access, or you can just picnic in the grass if you’d rather not get sandy!
Traveler’s Tip | By relaxing on the beach, we mean stay as bundled up as you possibly can, but enjoy the fresh breeze and the waves crashing in. Bring your hoody and a blanket!
Sample Some True Scottish Whisky At The Oban Distillery
The true reason Oban isn’t just a wee fishing village anymore lies in the Oban Distillery.
Started in 1794, this distillery is smack dab in the middle of Oban. In fact, it can’t grow any bigger than what it already is because the town of Oban was literally built around the distillery!
Head in for a quick one-hour tour (£6) and tasting, and walk away with a souvenir glass and a desire to learn more about the whisky distilling process!
Traveler’s Tip | If you’re visiting Scotland for a longer period of time, we suggest joining the Friends of the Classic Malts. It’s a free membership and allows you to tour twelve different distilleries around Scotland (and sample their whisky) for free!
READ MORE | Joining Friends of the Classic Malts, Our Best Decision Ever!
Walk Along The Oban Waterfront
The charm of Oban is the view from the waterfront. You see the quaintness of the village while experiencing the busyness of the port.
Wandering along the waterfront, you’ll feel the cool breeze across your face, smell the salty water, and feel like you’re transported back in time. Oban’s waterfront is what made us fall in love with the city and left us wanting to explore Oban more after our first visit to Oban.
Learn About Oban’s Heritage At The Oban War And Peace Museum
Located right in the Oban centre, the Oban War and Peace Museum gives insight into the history of Oban. Learn about the building of the McCaig’s Tower, the fishing history for this once upon a time wee fishing village, and more!
Entrance is by donation, and they’re open seven days a week in the “high season”. Read more about this museum and the actual opening times here.
Visit Dunollie Castle
Within walking distance from the heart of Oban, Dunollie Castle sits upon the cliffs offering great views of the isles and a wee step back in time.
While the castle is partial ruins, there are still loads of it intact. The best part about visiting the castle is walking along the coast to it.
If you’re on a budget, you can see the castle from the road, or walk up the path without actually visiting the inside!
READ MORE | in-depth info on Dunollie Castle and 70+ more castles in Scotland
Marvel At The Fishing Boats In The Oban Harbour
If you’ve any doubts about Oban being a fishing village, taking one look at the fishing boats in the harbor will reassure you fishing is still a popular thing in Oban.
With old boats and new, both big and small, the harbor is chock-full of fishing boats. Something about just sitting and watching the boats go by brings an awareness of how blessed you are to be in the area you’re at! Give it a try!
Wander The Village Streets Of Oban
No, not the shopping streets in Oban – get outside the town centre and wander the streets going up the hillside.
Whether you walk all the way up to McCaig’s Tower or simply get lost in the village streets below, take some time to wander the less busy village streets. Take care here though, as they’re tiny roads and cars can barely fit down some of them, so you’ll have to step out of the way on occasion!
Traveler’s Tip | Slow down and take photos of windows, doors, and gardens! You’ll appreciate having the reminders of the quaintness of Scotland later on down the road!
Things To Do Near Oban
Visit The Nearby Dunstaffnage Castle
Okay, Dunstaffnage isn’t technically in Oban, but it’s just down the road. If traveling by car, take the short drive north of Oban and visit Dunstaffnage Castle.
It’s a castle built on a rock, with a cute, yet slightly creepy, forest, and a harbor view. It’s run by Historic Scotland, so there is a fee to go inside, though the views climbing to the top of the castle and learning about the history of it are worth the small price to pay!
LEARN MORE | Check prices, history, and opening time of Dunstaffnage Castle + 70 other castles in Scotland here
Photography Castle Stalker
Castle Stalker is 30 minutes north of Oban on the way up the West Highland Route towards Fort Williams. You can actually walk out to this castle during certain tidal times, or even take a boat to explore the castle grounds, but most just simply enjoy the view of the castle from shore.
Traveler’s Tip | There’s a cafe called Castle Stalker View just north of Castle Stalker. Pop in for some tea or tray bakes here!
Take A Ferry To The Islands Near Oban
Island life in Scotland is something everyone should experience if time allows. With loads of different ferry options heading to the Scottish isles right off the west coast, you’re sure to find a ferry and island you fancy!
Head out for a quick day trip to cycle or walk a neighboring island, or take a longer route to Islay, Arran, or the Isle of Skye.
You can find many castles on the Isle of Skye, if you fancy more castles.
Whichever you choose, we promise you’ll be swept away in the magic of the western isles life!
Traveler’s Tip | CalMac Ferries do multi-day ferry routes or “island-hopping”, via region, and their webpage sets up all the connections for you, you just have to choose which direction and what days you want to sail! It allows for easy, week-long trips hopping through the western isles.}
READ MORE | Our Journey from Arran to Islay, and up to Oban with CalMac Ferries
Visit One Of Our Favorite Castles | Kilchurn Castle
Kilchurn Castle is located on Loch Awe heading east from Oban about 40 minutes.
This castle is one of our all-time favorites in Scotland, and can be toured for free! There’s amazing scenery surrounding the castle, and it’s a great place to stretch your legs if driving to Oban from Aberdeen or Edinburgh!
Day Trips From Oban
Walk To Gylen Castle Across The Sound Of Kerrara
Walking the smaller western isles is quite a popular thing to do. The island directly in front of Oban, Kerrara Isle (I believe), is great for walking.
You can take a ferry across the Sound of Kerrara, then walk 5 miles round trip from the Kerrara ferry terminal to Glyen Castle.
Explore Loch Lomond And The Trossachs National Park
While we wouldn’t necessarily recommend this as an out-and-back day trip from Oban, it is only two hours away from Oban and can be explored in a day.. so I guess technically it’s a day trip from Oban!
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is a gorgeous area of Scotland. It’s a great place to partake in water activities, hiking, and even just outdoor photography of Scotland!
Traveler’s Tip… We recommend exploring Loch Lomond and the surrounding area and then either making your way to Glasgow to stay for a night or camp/stay in a BnB within the national park.
Where To Park In Oban
Up until recently, there were a couple of places to park for free in Oban. However, in mid-2018, parking restrictions have been posted all around Oban, and you’ll have to pay to park really no matter where you are. We suggest parking on the waterfront though, as this is a great base for wandering around the city. Bring coins to work the parking meters!
Free Parking In Oban
At Garavan Beach that we recommended above, you get two hours of free parking. While this isn’t nearly enough time to really enjoy the town of Oban, it does grant you some free parking time to enjoy the beach or catch a bus into town.
At 17:30, you can get 30 minutes of free parking outside of Oban Fish and Chips, and then after 18:00, parking all along that street is free, so if you can score a spot in the evening there, you’re golden!
The last free parking option we know of is up at McCaig’s Tower. Last we checked, the parking in this lot was free. However, with the new parking restrictions, this could be changed as well. You’ll have to walk up and down the hill to get to and from town, so this is definitely something to consider if choosing to park there!
Where To Stay In Oban
Scotland Hotels In Oban
There are quite a number of hotels in Oban to stay at. Even including larger hotel chains like the Best Western! While we don’t always recommend staying in hotels in Scotland, the hotels in Oban take a more Scottish vibe and seem to offer brilliant stays!
Wild Camping / Sleeping in Campervan in Oban
It’s free and legal to wild camp in Scotland, and there are a number of places surrounding Oban. However, not so many in the actual town itself. Please remember, wherever you wild camp, be sure to pack out whatever you pack in. This includes your used toilet paper! And, if you don’t have a toilet with you, be sure to dig a hole 6 inches deep, and 100 feet away from water to do your duty!
If you have a campervan and would like to stay overnight in a parking lot in Oban that doesn’t have a gate for the entrance and does not have a “no overnight parking” sign up, chances are you can stay there. Check with the local shops around the parking lot to be sure!
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