Well, while you are in Oban, which is known as the "gateway to the isles," it is more than worth going on all of the trips you can pack in, because it is just so beautiful up there! If you are staying in Oban, which…Read More

Well, while you are in Oban, which is known as the "gateway to the isles," it is more than worth going on all of the trips you can pack in, because it is just so beautiful up there! If you are staying in Oban, which I recommend, then it’s a short stroll to the docks, where you can find out about trips around the isles. Just a 10-minute boat trip from the pier, you can see the seal colony - which for children is magical (and adults alike). Further afield, you find the isle of Kerrera, where you can walk to your heart’s content and the scenery really is amazing (keep an eye out for the otters).

If you are interested in seeing the isles surrounding Oban, then pick up leaflets from the tourism office on the dock or the ferry terminal. They can help you as much as you need in there - great place.

The boats are well kitted out and fine for travelling these short distances. If, however, you do what we did and plan to spend a few romantic nights in Oban, then think again. Not that you can't have romantic nights - because YOU CAN! But not on the boats! We took a romantic sunset cruise (as advertised) with dinner aboard one of the boats in the luxury restaurant. Sounds great, doesn't it?! Well, the sun sets about two minutes after you get out of the harbour, and most islands have only one or two houses on them, so you will see no lights. Outside of the window, you will see BLACK. And nothing else. There is no view after dark. The restaurants on the boats are all okay - nicely set out, BUT the food is a bit bland. You are offered a range of meals from a menu and you tick which one you want and send the form back. Sure, you get the meal that you wanted and it is what they said, but it’s very "out of a carton" tasting.

On top of that, the boat seems to pick up a lot of swell even on calm nights, and so a lot of people were in and out of the toilet all night. For us, the peak of the evening was when the so-called entertainment came on and it was three men in silly costumes with bells and hurdy-gurdies singing in an inebriated fashion to some locals who were using the ferry to get back from one of the islands. Most people hid in the room downstairs and counted the minutes till we got back to port. AVOID THIS!

An excellent day trip is taking the ferry from Oban across the picturesque waterway to the Island of Mull. A forty minute trip, you can take your car, take a coach trip, or go as a foot passenger. We had our two dogs, so we…Read More

An excellent day trip is taking the ferry from Oban across the picturesque waterway to the Island of Mull. A forty minute trip, you can take your car, take a coach trip, or go as a foot passenger. We had our two dogs, so we sat on the deck on the outward journey.

The capital of Mull is Tobermoray, which is on the north of the island, and here you can get a good meal in one of the eateries, or get a good drink in one of the pubs. There are a couple of hotels, a few bakeries, and a youth hostel (YHA). Tobermoray is renowned for its multi-colored harborfront houses, which are really quaint and pretty with a working harbor as a natural backdrop.

On the far side of the island you can go by small boat to the Island of Iona. Iona is a small, fertile, crofting island, currently inhabited by around 130 people, with white sandy beaches. The island of Iona, three miles long and one mile wide, sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, built over the site of Columba's early Celtic school, established in around 546 AD.

Another trip is a drive along the west coast up to Inverness, and drive back through Glen Coe with its rugged natural beauty.

Oban is a major port for the islands. It gives access to Mull, Colonsay and Islay, Coll, Tiree, Barra and South Uist. It is also something of a resort. On the mainland ther is a road up to Fort William, one inland…Read More

Oban is a major port for the islands. It gives access to Mull, Colonsay and Islay, Coll, Tiree, Barra and South Uist. It is also something of a resort. On the mainland ther is a road up to Fort William, one inland to Crianlarich and one south to Lochgilphead, Kennacraig, min port for Islay, Tayinloan, the port for the garden island of Gigha and eventually to the Mull of Kintyre.
Loch Awe on the road to Crianlarich is big and lovely with roads running along both sides and Inverary on Loch Fyne, the centre of the Clan Campbell, should be seen if possible.

The railway line to Glasgow is splendid but persoally I should put it slightly behind the Mallaig and Kyle lines, scarcely insulting to it. The part from Tyndrum to Glasgow is described as part of the Glasgow - Mallaig line in my Fort William and Lochaber journal. From Oban to Tyndrum there is fine woodland scenery with some spectacular gorges as well as lovely stretches beside lochs.

If you want to get the most out of your trip, then your first stop should be the tourism office, which is on the front pier next to the ferry terminals in Oban. Pick up brochures and take them back to where you are…Read More

If you want to get the most out of your trip, then your first stop should be the tourism office, which is on the front pier next to the ferry terminals in Oban. Pick up brochures and take them back to where you are staying, and make a concerted effort to find out what you want to do and see when it is open. There are things well worth visiting outside of Oban, and short ferry rides can get you there. I can't put my finger right now on the castle we went to, but we got the ferry to the island, took a short miniature train trip to the first castle, and then walked to the next castle before it started raining.

Locals told us the castle was a 15-minute walk - but an hour later, we were still walking. Their joke, do you think? Anyway, we got picked up by a Lord of the castle and he gave us a lift right into the castle in his car! All around the castle there were pictures of him with the Queen, etc. It made for a very amusing visit. The castle was amazing, the people great, and there was a cafe that served nice food. So look around - a little off the beaten track, but if you've got walking boots or a car, then make the effort, because this area is just filled with amazing things.

Well, if you decide to wander the beaten track from Oban, you can get a bus or hire a car and get to Inveraray. It's a pretty little town on the edge of the estuary which has not only a few little things such…Read More

Well, if you decide to wander the beaten track from Oban, you can get a bus or hire a car and get to Inveraray. It's a pretty little town on the edge of the estuary which has not only a few little things such as the farm park, the tower, and some nice walks, BUT also a castle.

When you get off of the coach or park your car, you will see the castle from wherever you stand. It’s quite a spectacular one. If travelling by foot, go to the front where you see the statue overlooking the water, and where the hotel is, and you will see the signpost for the main drive to the castle. If walking, it’s a 10-minute walk up the main drive to where you buy your tickets to go in. You'll find an armoury and turrets - everything you need to have in the essential castle. But the surroundings are just superb. It costs £5.30 per adult, and £3.30 for children. Well worth it, though.

There are several ATMs in the town, so if you need money, then find one beforehand, because not everywhere takes all cards.

The park is located near Oban, several miles down a single lane road. The park is primarily designed for children so you can expect lots of cute and cuddly animals for the kids to pet and feed. Many of the animals are behind fences, but there…Read More

The park is located near Oban, several miles down a single lane road. The park is primarily designed for children so you can expect lots of cute and cuddly animals for the kids to pet and feed.

Many of the animals are behind fences, but there are a couple of areas that humans can enter and see the animals up close (watch where you step!). The exhibits are mostly different kinds of sheep, although there are some "heilan' coos" (the rare wholly highland version of the cow), deer, donkeys, etc. as well. You can buy bags of food at the gate to feed the animals. It's definitely worthwhile if you have kids.