Rita's Guidebook

Rita
Rita's Guidebook

Castles nearby

There are several castles within an hour from us, each with fascinating history.
This charming castle is a family owned pod. It is possible to visit it, check out their visiting timetables online as visiting times change daily, depending on the tide. A personal tour by its owner is truly unique. Also famous for starring in Monty Python And The Holy Grail.
45 locals recommend
Castle Stalker View
45 locals recommend
This charming castle is a family owned pod. It is possible to visit it, check out their visiting timetables online as visiting times change daily, depending on the tide. A personal tour by its owner is truly unique. Also famous for starring in Monty Python And The Holy Grail.
Dunstaffnage Castle is just on the way into Oban, it has a fascinating history and beautiful views.
44 locals recommend
Dunstaffnage Castle & Chapel
Castle Grounds
44 locals recommend
Dunstaffnage Castle is just on the way into Oban, it has a fascinating history and beautiful views.
Dunollie Castle has the most amazing view onto Oban Bay. The history of the castle hasn’t finished centuries ago. It is still home to the Clan MacDougall, Oban’s prominent family. The garden is well kept and the museum has a fantastic exhibition this season: The women of Dunollie Step inside and you’ll feel what is must have been like living there centuries ago.
55 locals recommend
Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds
55 locals recommend
Dunollie Castle has the most amazing view onto Oban Bay. The history of the castle hasn’t finished centuries ago. It is still home to the Clan MacDougall, Oban’s prominent family. The garden is well kept and the museum has a fantastic exhibition this season: The women of Dunollie Step inside and you’ll feel what is must have been like living there centuries ago.
A lovely walk takes you trough the field and to the ruins if this magnificent castle. Amazing views.
Kilchurn Castle Panorama Viewpoint on Kilchurn Grazings
Inveraray Road
A lovely walk takes you trough the field and to the ruins if this magnificent castle. Amazing views.
An amazing castle just 1 hour 15 minutes away. It has been the seat of the Dukes of Argyll, chiefs of Clan Campbell, since the 18th century. It has a beautiful garden and it is designated as world heritage site.
95 locals recommend
Inveraray Castle
95 locals recommend
An amazing castle just 1 hour 15 minutes away. It has been the seat of the Dukes of Argyll, chiefs of Clan Campbell, since the 18th century. It has a beautiful garden and it is designated as world heritage site.

Nearby Islands

These islands are perfect for a day trip.
Get over to Lismore from Port Appin on the tiny ferry that carries foot passengers and cyclists only. You can hire a bike in Port Appin and cycle around the tiny island or just take a walk, enjoy the views, the stillness and the quiet road. Check online for ferry timetables.
Lismore Island
Get over to Lismore from Port Appin on the tiny ferry that carries foot passengers and cyclists only. You can hire a bike in Port Appin and cycle around the tiny island or just take a walk, enjoy the views, the stillness and the quiet road. Check online for ferry timetables.
For a nice day trip - A lovely little island just a stone throw away from Oban. A tiny ferry will drop you on Kerrera, then take a walk down to the 16th century Gylen castle ruin and Kerrera Tea Garden. Beautiful views!
34 locals recommend
Kerrera
34 locals recommend
For a nice day trip - A lovely little island just a stone throw away from Oban. A tiny ferry will drop you on Kerrera, then take a walk down to the 16th century Gylen castle ruin and Kerrera Tea Garden. Beautiful views!
Easdale is a tiny Island with only around 30 permanent residents living is a close community. It has a history of slate mining, which you can learn about in the island’s charming little museum. The island hosts the one and only stone skimming world championship. Have lunch in the local cafe, The Puffer Bar&Restaurant, home made cakes, scones, seafood dishes, Burgers, soups, absolutely delicious! Drive south from Oban to Seil Island over the Bridge over the Atlantic, then take the small ferry over to Easdale.
16 locals recommend
Easdale Island
16 locals recommend
Easdale is a tiny Island with only around 30 permanent residents living is a close community. It has a history of slate mining, which you can learn about in the island’s charming little museum. The island hosts the one and only stone skimming world championship. Have lunch in the local cafe, The Puffer Bar&Restaurant, home made cakes, scones, seafood dishes, Burgers, soups, absolutely delicious! Drive south from Oban to Seil Island over the Bridge over the Atlantic, then take the small ferry over to Easdale.
Isle of Luing is another island south of Oban. It has a history of slate mining and it has the most dramatic lights over the sea. We love walking the narrow path around the island and enjoy lunch at the The Atlantic Islands Centre’s lovely cafe.
Luing
Isle of Luing is another island south of Oban. It has a history of slate mining and it has the most dramatic lights over the sea. We love walking the narrow path around the island and enjoy lunch at the The Atlantic Islands Centre’s lovely cafe.

Walk this way

These walks are my favourites.
Just park at the Car park at Sutherland’s Grove and take a walk up into the forest following the river upstream and along the gorge. Look out for red squirrels, woodpeckers and wild blueberries in August. Follow the signs to the reservoir. You can walk around it as well, or just follow other routes through the forest.
27 locals recommend
Sutherland's Grove forest walks
27 locals recommend
Just park at the Car park at Sutherland’s Grove and take a walk up into the forest following the river upstream and along the gorge. Look out for red squirrels, woodpeckers and wild blueberries in August. Follow the signs to the reservoir. You can walk around it as well, or just follow other routes through the forest.
Worth he hike up the hills, your reward is the breathtaking view on to the Loch and Tralee bay.
6 locals recommend
Ben Lora car park
6 locals recommend
Worth he hike up the hills, your reward is the breathtaking view on to the Loch and Tralee bay.
A gentle walk around to Appin Point. Park at Port Appin Ferry Terminal. After the walk you deserve a cuppa and a cake at the Pierhouse Hotel.
13 locals recommend
Port Appin
13 locals recommend
A gentle walk around to Appin Point. Park at Port Appin Ferry Terminal. After the walk you deserve a cuppa and a cake at the Pierhouse Hotel.
Drive to Elleric via Glasdrum and Invercreran. There’s a car park where you can leave the car. Can’t miss it. Take a walk up the hill following the path. If you see any locals walking by, ask which way to the Fairy Bridge. It can be a muddy path after rain so wear suitable foot ware.
Fairy Bridge of Glen Creran
Drive to Elleric via Glasdrum and Invercreran. There’s a car park where you can leave the car. Can’t miss it. Take a walk up the hill following the path. If you see any locals walking by, ask which way to the Fairy Bridge. It can be a muddy path after rain so wear suitable foot ware.
A place to not to miss if you’re nearby.
100 locals recommend
Glencoe
100 locals recommend
A place to not to miss if you’re nearby.
This is our favourite Glen around. Just enjoy the views as you drive right into the glen.
15 locals recommend
Glen Etive
15 locals recommend
This is our favourite Glen around. Just enjoy the views as you drive right into the glen.

Food scene

Please be aware of that all these premises have unusual opening time during the pandemic, they operate following restrictions and government guidance
Only a few miles north... A family run restaurant with fantastic views, check their website for menu and book in advance.
19 locals recommend
The Creagan Inn Restaurant & Bar
19 locals recommend
Only a few miles north... A family run restaurant with fantastic views, check their website for menu and book in advance.
A converted barn with excellent choice of stakes and other dishes, great atmosphere, huge selection of whisky on offer. Family run restaurant, check online for opening times and don’t forget to book.
38 locals recommend
The Old Inn
2 A828
38 locals recommend
A converted barn with excellent choice of stakes and other dishes, great atmosphere, huge selection of whisky on offer. Family run restaurant, check online for opening times and don’t forget to book.
A family run cafe, great for a quick lunch and pizzas. Check on Facebook for opening times and pizza times. Closed in the winter season
15 locals recommend
Ben Lora Cafe & Bookshop
2 A828
15 locals recommend
A family run cafe, great for a quick lunch and pizzas. Check on Facebook for opening times and pizza times. Closed in the winter season
Excellent selection of fresh dishes and weekly specials served in the Bistro. Worth popping in even just for a drink or a special dinner. Food served from 5pm, book in advance!
16 locals recommend
Falls of Lora
16 locals recommend
Excellent selection of fresh dishes and weekly specials served in the Bistro. Worth popping in even just for a drink or a special dinner. Food served from 5pm, book in advance!
12 locals recommend
Lochnell Arms Hotel
North Conel
12 locals recommend
What can I say, best chippy around. Find them on Facebook and call to book a pick-up slot.
9 locals recommend
Tralee bay fish and chips
9 locals recommend
What can I say, best chippy around. Find them on Facebook and call to book a pick-up slot.
In case you like chocolate...
50 locals recommend
Oban Chocolate Company
34 Corran Esplanade
50 locals recommend
In case you like chocolate...
Yep, not to miss this one! The pictures speak for themselves. Closed over winter
44 locals recommend
Oban Seafood Hut.. (Green Shack)
44 locals recommend
Yep, not to miss this one! The pictures speak for themselves. Closed over winter
A seafood restaurant with a view.
55 locals recommend
Eeusk
55 locals recommend
A seafood restaurant with a view.
Good food, nice atmosphere.
47 locals recommend
Cuan Mor
60 George St
47 locals recommend
Good food, nice atmosphere.
We adore this little cafe. Cosy, casual. Vegan and Vegetarian, home baking, fantastic dishes!
6 locals recommend
The Little Potting Shed Café
5 John St
6 locals recommend
We adore this little cafe. Cosy, casual. Vegan and Vegetarian, home baking, fantastic dishes!
The Hawthorn Restaurant
5 Keil Crofts
62 locals recommend
Lochleven Seafood Café
B863
62 locals recommend
55 locals recommend
Eeusk
55 locals recommend
18 locals recommend
Etive restaurant
43 Stevenson St
18 locals recommend
50 locals recommend
Coast Restaurant
104 George St
50 locals recommend
Fantastic Italian Gelato style ice cream made from Highland cow’s milk, topped with locally sourced and hand picked ingredients like Home grown blackberries.
Highland Fold Ice Cream Oban
Fantastic Italian Gelato style ice cream made from Highland cow’s milk, topped with locally sourced and hand picked ingredients like Home grown blackberries.

The Beach

A lovely long beach, perfect for watching the sunset. Park at Ben Lora Cafe in Benderloch and follow the foot path to the beach, or park at the car park half way down the Tralee road and walk down to the beach from there on the farmer’s track.
Tralee Bay Holidays
A lovely long beach, perfect for watching the sunset. Park at Ben Lora Cafe in Benderloch and follow the foot path to the beach, or park at the car park half way down the Tralee road and walk down to the beach from there on the farmer’s track.
This is THE BEACH to got to in Oban. Lovely. Great for a swim or just to dig your feet into the soft sand. Follow the coastal route north from the town centre.
36 locals recommend
Ganavan Sands
36 locals recommend
This is THE BEACH to got to in Oban. Lovely. Great for a swim or just to dig your feet into the soft sand. Follow the coastal route north from the town centre.

Whisky

If you’re only slightly interested in real Scottish Single Malts, you don’t have to look further. Oban has it’s own distillery. Yaaay!
79 locals recommend
Oban Distillery
Stafford Street
79 locals recommend
If you’re only slightly interested in real Scottish Single Malts, you don’t have to look further. Oban has it’s own distillery. Yaaay!

Sightseeing

Drive or walk up to this mysterious tower that was never finished building but it’s part of Oban’s history and the views are fantastic from there.
89 locals recommend
McCaig's Tower
Duncraggan Road
89 locals recommend
Drive or walk up to this mysterious tower that was never finished building but it’s part of Oban’s history and the views are fantastic from there.