The towering mountains of the lands of Lorn sweep down to the coast at Oban - unofficial capital of the West Highlands and 'Gateway to the Isles'. A short ferry ride away lies the magnificent holiday Island of Mull and beyond, remote Hebridean Island gems, precious stone set in a silver sea.

Winding streets overlooking a picturesque bay, busy with the movement of fishing boats, yachts and ferries. For many Oban is the perfect West Highland retreat, a place to relax and unwind yet with plenty to see, do and discover.

Near at hand are the small, inner islands of Kerrera, Lismore, Seil, Shuna and Luing - romantic names, romantic places. Mull - its main town of Tobermory a brightly painted picture postcard - is much larger and offers a fine choice of attractions, activities and wildlife, not to mention spectacular bays and seascapes. Saintly Iona and musical Staffa lie offshore.

Further out in the Atlantic are Coll and Tiree, low, fertile islands, steeped in history. Use your imagination and you can almost hear the creaking oars of chieftains' galleys and Viking longboats.

Back on the mainland, it seems impossible to choose between the classical highland beauty around Lochs Etive and Awe and the coastal spectacle of the breathtaking string of bays and sealochs stretching from Appin to Ardfern.