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Folly
McCaig's Tower
Circular granite tower on Battery Hill above Oban, a listed monument with 94 lancet arches.
A mini guide to
Oban, Argyll & the Mull ferry
Harbour town and ferry gateway to Mull, Kerrera and the Inner Hebrides
Photos
1 / 8Welcome to the area
Harbour town and ferry gateway to Mull, Kerrera and the Inner Hebrides
Oban is a harbour town on the west coast of Argyll. McCaig's Tower overlooks the bay, Oban Distillery stands in the middle of the town near the harbour, and Dunollie Castle sits on a hill to the north. CalMac ferries leave from the harbour for Mull and other islands.
CalMac gives 45 minutes for the Oban to Craignure crossing on Mull, and Duart Castle is on the Mull side of the Sound. A 5-minute ferry from Gallanach crosses to Kerrera, where Gylen Castle is a ruin. Dunstaffnage Castle, Castle Stalker and Cruachan Power Station are within reach of Oban by road.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Distillery
Oban Distillery
Small distillery in the middle of the town near the harbour, founded in 1794.
Museum
Oban War and Peace Museum
Local museum on the Corran Esplanade in Oban.
Directions Website Report a problem with Oban War and Peace Museum
Castle and museum
Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds
Ruined castle on a hill north of Oban with views to Kerrera, open as part of Dunollie's museum and grounds.
Directions Website Report a problem with Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds
Castle
Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel
Partly ruined castle on a rock promontory at the entrance to Loch Etive, 5 km north-north-east of Oban.
Directions Website Report a problem with Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel
Ruined castle
Gylen Castle, Kerrera
Tower house built in 1582 on the south of Kerrera, reached by a five-minute ferry from Gallanach.
Directions Website Report a problem with Gylen Castle, Kerrera
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Oban, Argyll & the Mull ferry and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Reserve your ferry
CalMac recommends vehicle reservations for the Oban to Craignure crossing. Check the timetable and book before you travel.
2
Day trip to Mull
Duart Castle is on Mull near Craignure. Check ferry times and the castle's opening days before you plan a day trip.
3
See the bay from McCaig's Tower
The tower stands on Battery Hill and overlooks the town, so plan a short walk up from the centre.
4
Try Kerrera
Kerrera is five minutes by ferry from Gallanach. CalMac's Kerrera page mentions Gylen Castle and a tearoom; check opening before you go.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Oban, Argyll & the Mull ferry (area photo): Mike Hudson, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- McCaig's Tower: Ian S, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Oban Distillery: dun_deagh, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Oban War and Peace Museum: M J Richardson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds: Eirian Evans, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel: Chris Gorringe, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Gylen Castle, Kerrera: Macsels, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Duart Castle: Philippe Giabbanelli, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Iona Abbey: Akela NDE (talk), CC BY-SA 2.0 fr, source
- Castle Stalker: No machine-readable author provided. Gerpsych~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Ardchattan Priory: Anne Burgess, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bonawe Iron Furnace: Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Cruachan Power Station: Euan Nelson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Clachan Bridge: Remi Mathis, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Easdale: Julian Paren, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- The Black Isle & Easter Ross: Vcarceler, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Inverness & Loch Ness: dave conner from Inverness, Scotland, CC BY 2.0, source
- Fort William, Glencoe & Ben Nevis: Viewfinder at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source
- Isle of Skye: Portree & Dunvegan: Lauwz The Kiwistralian, CC0, source
- The Cairngorms: Aviemore & Grantown-on-Spey: dave conner, CC BY 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring the Scottish Highlands