Oban & Lorn

Are you ready to experience more?

Let’s explore…the historic Lorn area, which is north, south and east of Oban town centre.

Going the extra mile to make even more memories with family, friends or even a solo adventure!

OBAN MAP REVERSE

NORTH OF OBAN

Just a few miles from Oban town centre, you must visit Dunstaffnage Castle and the Ocean Explore Centre at Scottish Association of Marine Science at Dunbeg.

Continuing north over Connel Bridge, which straddles the spectacular Falls of Lora tidal whirlpools, you pass Oban Airport from where you can enjoy scenic plane trips available on Hebridean Airways.

An ideal stop between Oban and Glencoe is either Sutherlands Grove walking trails or the historic village of Appin and Port Appin where you can take photographs of Castle Stalker. 

Glencoe is probably the most famous glen in Scotland as the location for the massacre of the Macdonald’s by the Campbell’s in 1692. The ‘glen’ or valley of Glencoe itself offers majestic views on a scale of the grandeur of the alps. A visit to the National Trust Centre is good for a rainy day.

CONNEL

The small settlements of Connel and North Connel sit at opposite ends of Connel Bridge, a majestic cantilever bridge spans Loch Etive and is now part of the Oban to Fort William cyclepath.

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APPIN

Worth a diversion from the main Oban to Fort William road the tiny hamlet of Port Appin has a passenger ferry with direct access to the Isle of Lismore

Cyclists At Castle Stalker Scottish Viewpoint
GLENCOE

The glen is renowned for its curious red deer and some instantly recognisable film scenes, including the location of James Bond’s family home in Skyfall.

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SOUTH OF OBAN

The countryside south of Oban is lush and verdant with rolling hills and spectacular coastal views. There are several attractions within a relatively short drive of Oban, among them:

The Island of Seil, connected to the mainland by the 200 year old Clachan Bridge, known as the ‘Bridge over the Atlantic’. Just 200 metres off Seil, lies Easdale Island, the smallest permanently-inhabited island of the Inner Hebrides. From both islands, you can enjoy wildlife tours and boat trips to the Corryvreckan, the world’s 3rd largest whirlpool, which pass numerous islands such as Luing, Scarba, Shuna, Lunga and Jura.

Arduaine Garden is a little slice of paradise on Scotland’s West Coast. Home to rhododendrons, magnolias and azaleas, and exotic palms and ferns from all over the world, Arduaine is an idyllic place to spend a few hours of calm. Conceived by J. Arthur Campbell, who also built the Loch Melfort Hotel, it is a spacious tourist attraction but with the intimacy of a private garden.

Nearby Kilmartin village, and Kilmartin Glen is an archaeologist’s dream.  Home to Dunadd, the remains of the Iron Age fort, which was the capital for the Kings of Dalriada, plus more than 350 megalithic stone circles, chambered cairns, and other monuments, you can either explore them yourself or visit Kilmartin House Museum for a more informed investigation.

THE SLATE ISLANDS

You can access this amazing collection of small islands by crossing the ‘Bridge over the Atlantic’. The Isles of Seil, Easdale and Luing were once the centre of UK slate industry and offer much interest with a visitor centre, a folk museum, a heritage centre, boat tours and the World Stone Skimming Championships.

Easdale Ferry
ARDUAINE & LOCH MELFORT

Arduaine is a tiny hamlet between Kilmelford and Croabh Haven and nearby Ardfern. All are great bases for watersports and sailing, with tranquil lochs, waterways and local marinas aplenty. Arduaine is also home to the Arduaine Gardens which are in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. 

Snorkelling At Loch Melfort Hotel
KILMARTIN GLEN

Kilmartin Glen is located between Oban and Lochgilphead and is considered to have one of the most important concentrations of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in Scotland.

Visitscotland Kilmartin Glen

EAST OF OBAN

To the east of Oban is the A85 road from Tyndrum to Oban, the main scenic driving route into Argyll & the Isles which takes you along Glen Lochy and through the Pass of Brander, hugging the shores of Loch Awe and Loch Etive.

There are also five train stations on this line giving access to local communities with accommodation, eateries, artists and attractions such as the hydro-electric power station inside Ben Cruachan, the ‘Hollow Mountain.’

The route sweeps past Kilchurn Castle, a 15th century ruin at the head of Loch Awe, St Conan's Kirk, Ben Cruachan, nearby Inverawe and the village of Taynuilt. 

Before you reach Oban, look out for the frothing rapids at the Falls of Lora at Connel. 

TAYNUILT

Nestled at the foot of Ben Cruachan between Loch Etive and Loch Awe, Taynuilt has popular attractions such as are the Bonawe Iron Furnace, and the 9-hole Taynuilt Golf Club or the beautiful views of Loch Etive and Ben Cruachan.

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LOCH AWE

Scotland’s longest freshwater loch, is a sight to behold as you travel along the shore by car or by train towards Oban. There is rich wealth of fascinating natural and industrial heritage to explore at Kilchurn Castle, St Conans Kirk, Ben Cruachan and 'The Hollow Mountain' power station.  

Visitscotland Kilchurn
TYNDRUM & BRIDGE OF ORCHY

Tyndrum is an important staging post to head west to Oban, Lorn & the Isles, whilst Bridge of Orchy is situated on one of the most famous walking routes in the country; the West Highland Way.

Ben Cruachan Winter

DISCOVER OBAN & THE ISLES

OBAN TOWN CENTRE

Oban is bustling ferry port and main town of Argyll & the Isles. There is a fantastic mix of accommodation, lots of great independent shops, restaurants, cáfes and attractions.

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ISLANDS FROM OBAN

Oban is the ‘Gateway to the Isles’, and it’s just a ferry ride away to enchanting isles such as Kerrera, Lismore, Mull, Iona, Coll & Tiree.

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Visitscotland Hebridean Islands

Explore Oban, Lorn & the Isles

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EAT & DRINK

Whether it’s seafood, whisky, chocolate or ice cream, our larder is overflowing with delectable edibles.

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SEE & DO

No matter how you like to be active, you’ll find world class experiences in Oban & Lorn - and don’t forget your camera.

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STAY

From modern luxury in the heart of Oban to family-friendly self-catering, we have just the place.

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PLACES TO SHOP

Looking for clothing, whisky, shoes, soaps, jewellery, art, souvenirs or just a little something for yourself?

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