Located in Scotland’s wild northwest, past the lochs, rivers and twisting highways, through The Trossachs National Park, lies the waterfront fishing town of Oban.
During the summer, Oban is a popular destination for travelers because of its ferry terminal, fresh seafood and charming vibe. The ferry offers routes to many Scottish Isles, including beautiful Skye and historical Iona, where many early Scottish kings are buried. Boasting historical points of interest, stunning vistas, delicious restaurants and a festive pub scene, Oban offers a variety of daily activities and tours, and can host up to 25,000 visitors per day during the peak of the summer season.
Plan to spend a day touring the sights of Oban, with its views of Mull and other isles across the narrow straits. Highlights are McCaig’s Tower (which was modeled after the Colosseum), the famous Oban Distillery established in 1740, and a walk along the waterfront harbor. Dunstaffnage Castle, a 13th century fortress and one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland, is two miles to the north of town. For the best panoramic views of the town and surrounding islands, visit Pulpit Hill. Don’t miss the stone monument with a map pointing out points of interest including isles, castles and nearby towns.
Entrance to McCaig’s Tower in Oban
Photo Credit: Matt Thompson
Oban is known as the “Seafood Capital of Scotland.” Cuan Mor near the waterfront offers amazing mussels and a casual, laid-back atmosphere; while the Oban Fish and Chip Shop is a solid choice for not only fried fish and French fries, but delicious crab, mussels and daily seafood specials.
Gateway to the Isles
One of the big draws to Oban is its ferry terminal. With direct routes to the Isle of Skye, you can take your rental car aboard and spend the day in arguably the most beautiful place in all of Scotland. The Isle of Mull is another stunning place to visit and also has direct ferry service. Reservations can be made online and are highly recommended.
Looking out on the Scottish Isles from Pulpit Hill
Photo Credit: Matt Thompson
Hit the Road
Oban is a great home base for exploring Scotland’s wild north. 45 minutes up the highway, most of which parallels the blue waters of Loch Linhe, is Fort William. You’ll find ruins of historic Old Inverlochy Castle, the Inverlochy Castle Hotel (a luxurious castle with old-world charm and five-star amenities), numerous B&Bs and a quaint downtown near the waterfront.
Continue ten minutes west of Fort William and you’ll find the Glenfinnan viaduct. Famous for its appearance in Harry Potter films, the viaduct is part of the West Highland Line that stretches from Glasgow to Fort William and was completed in 1894. If you time it right, you’ll see the train, which is powered by a steam engine modeled after an original 19th century design. Many people gather at the viaduct to see the train travel across it, but we found that driving another five minutes past the viaduct to Glenfinnan Station affords a close view of the steam engine and no crowds. The station also has a small, but fascinating museum on the history the of the West Highland Line and how it was built.
The famous Jacobite train arriving at Glenfinnan Train Station
Video Credit: Matt Thompson
Eat with the Locals
About an hour north of Fort William, past the highway junction to the Isle of Skye, is a unique spot recommended to us by a local. The Redburn Café is housed in a red building that looks like a barn. Located just off the highway before the town of Dundreggan, the cafe specializes in home-style breakfasts and lunch, using fresh ingredients from their farm. The best part: you can purchase bags of feed for one pound and hand-feed the highland cows in the pasture outside, allowing you to get up close and personal with these beautiful, docile creatures. Just be sure to make a stop at the restroom sink on your way out!
Feeding grain to a Highland Coo outside Redburn Café
Photo Credit: Matt Thompson
Glencoe’s Highland Peaks
Glencoe features dramatic, rocky peaks and winding valleys carved out between the mountains. Each bend in the road opens up to a new landscapes: from yellow, gorse-covered hills to lush green valleys to sheer mountain peaks. Take the A82 east past the town of Glencoe, a small village where backpackers, hikers and skiers meet before taking on their outdoor endeavors. There aren’t many towns or villages in the area, so be sure to pack the car with water, snacks and gas.
Glencoe Highlands
Photo Credit: Matt Thompson
Eat Like a King at a Roadhouse
For those feeling adventurous, plan a stop at the King’s House Hotel…if you can find it. Located in the middle of nowhere in the heart of the Highlands, King’s House Hotel is part hostel, part tavern and part campground, with an eclectic mix of guests ranging from extreme sports enthusiasts (there are many trails, campgrounds and ski resorts nearby) to travelers just passing-through. While it’s a tad musty and the décor feels a bit like a ski lodge from the 70s, the beer is cold, the food is surprisingly good and the company is joyous. Be sure to stop in for a pint or a casual meal.
Nothing like an ice cold Belhaven Best at King’s House Hotel after a long day of driving
Photo Credit: Matt Thompson
From King’s House Hotel, continue north to Inverness, a thriving northern city near Loch Ness and its infamous monster. From there you can take your road trip to the next level and complete the North Coast 500, a route designed by the North Highland Initiative to spread the love across less-visited parts of the northern Highlands and showcase its splendor. The route starts in Inverness and encompasses all of northern Scotland, but it will take a few days to complete. If you don’t have the time, make your way back to Oban the way you came for more amazing views.
Highway to Inverness in the Glencoe Highlands
Photo Credit: Matt Thompson
About the Author
Matt Thompson is Digital Marketing Manager at TravelSmith. For him, travel is a true passion; particularly exploring and experiencing foreign cultures— from their history to their local cuisine. His thirst for travel has taken him to many destinations, domestic and international, and his favorites (so far) are Greece, Spain and Sayulita, Mexico. Follow his travels on Instagram.
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