Oban campsites

The port town of Oban, or An t-Òban in Gaelic, meaning "The Little Bay", is located on the west coast of Scotland. Known as “the gateway to the Isles”, Oban offers easy access to the Inner Hebrides and combines spectacular scenery, ancient history, Scottish charm, outdoor adventures and delicious seafood. 

As the main transport hub for ferries and other boats exploring the Islands, Oban offers some fantastic boat trips from the harbour. For those wanting to island hop, take the Three Isles Tour to Mull, Iona and Staffa. Highlights here include Fingal’s Cave, a sea cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa, and Iona Abbey and Nunnery on Iona. Sightseeing boat trips are also available, with sea tours taking in local landmarks such as the castles of Gylen and Dunollie. Or why not try a trip on a fishing boat, ranging from family-friendly mackerel fishing trips to deep-sea fishing for more experienced anglers.

Oban is known as one of the best wildlife-watching spots in Scotland. The waters around Oban are filled with marine life, and there are more chances to explore Scotland’s wildlife on the islands, too. Take a Sealife Adventures Wildlife Cruise for the chance to see this impressive sealife up close, including whales, dolphins, seals, basking sharks and golden eagles! You’ll also see one of the largest whirlpools in the world, the Gulf of Corryvreckan, an area also famous for marine mammals.

As well as boat trips, the waters around Oban, Lorn and the Isles are the perfect place for a variety of watersports. Take a guided sea kayak trip and explore sea caves and sheltered lochs, or try the white-water tidal rapids for an extra thrill! For a more gentle experience on the water, there’s paddleboarding and sailing on offer. Oban is also a top spot for scuba diving, with fascinating wrecks and plenty of marine life to discover. For those who are brave enough, take a trip to Ganavan Sands for a spot of wild swimming in the clear, shallow waters, then stroll along the white sandy beach.

For adventures on dry land, Oban is a cyclist’s paradise. Choose from forest tracks or scenic coastal routes in and around Oban, with The Caledonia Way running from Oban through Fort William to Inverness. For those who would rather venture on foot, there are also plenty of walks in Oban to enjoy. Climb Pulpit Hill, or explore one of the many accessible trails nearby. The guided Oban Walking Tour takes you around the town, where you can learn about the area’s history, or you can take the self-guided walking tour following the QR trail along the town esplanade. To explore further afield, take a trip to one of the nearby islands. Kerrea, Lismore and Mull all have excellent cycling and walking routes, ranging from family-friendly off-road tracks to longer routes for more experienced cyclists and ramblers.

No visit to Oban is complete without a visit to the iconic McCaig’s Tower and Battery Hill. Take the short walk to the top of the hill from the town centre, and you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the bay, it’s a top spot for a scenic picnic too! If the Scottish weather isn’t on your side, the Atlantis Community Leisure Centre has an indoor swimming pool and a range of indoor sports to keep the whole family entertained. Young explorers also won’t want to miss a trip to the Ocean Explorer Centre to learn more about the science behind our oceans through interactive exhibits. For a glimpse into the fishing and maritime past of the area, The War and Peace Museum is a must do, or enjoy the architecture of St John’s Cathedral for a moment of quiet in Oban’s bustling town centre.

Oban is also surrounded by some of the most beautiful castles on Scotland’s west coast. Dunollie Castle offers views over Oban Bay and Kerrera from the cliff top and there’s also a museum telling the story of Clan MacDougall and woodland trails to explore. Dunstaffnage Castle is one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland and is just a short drive away, don’t miss a chance to explore the chapel here too! Both the ruins of Gylen Castle on the Isle of Kerrera and the fully restored Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull are a ferry ride away, and both offer scenic settings and stunning views.

After all that exploring, you’ll have worked up quite the appetite, and you won’t be disappointed here. Known as the seafood capital of Scotland, the town is famous for fresh seafood, from fine dining to fish and chips, with the harbour bringing in a fresh daily catch. Other Scottish dishes found here include haggis, Highland venison and Cullen Skink, a soup made from smoked haddock and vegetables. For a delicious treat, Oban Chocolate Company has a large selection of handmade chocolates, and you can also watch them being made! For those after a tipple, look no further than Oban Distillery, one of Scotland’s oldest distillers of single malt scotch whisky, offering guided tours and tasting experiences right in the town centre. Scottish gin and local craft beer are also found in many pubs across the town. There is also a vibrant cultural scene here, with regular ceilidhs and live music, giving you a real taste of local Scottish charm.

Whether you come to explore the islands, try some local whisky, watch some wildlife, relax by the sea or have a coastal adventure, this welcoming town has it all!