Guidebook for Argyll and Bute
Food Scene
Really delicious home baking, toasties, sandwiches and home made soups, good value and worth more than one visit!
15 locals recommend
The Robin's Nest
Main StreetReally delicious home baking, toasties, sandwiches and home made soups, good value and worth more than one visit!
Always a good atmosphere here, especially in the winter when they have an open fire burning in the middle of the room. Tends to be busy so best to book. Varied menu with a specials board one of my favourite hotels.
16 locals recommend
Falls of Lora
Always a good atmosphere here, especially in the winter when they have an open fire burning in the middle of the room. Tends to be busy so best to book. Varied menu with a specials board one of my favourite hotels.
Also know as The Glue Pot or Ferryman Inn. Offers lunch, Afternoon/High Teas and dinner. The sunset and views are just amazing. Seating inside and out.
17 locals recommend
Oyster Inn
Also know as The Glue Pot or Ferryman Inn. Offers lunch, Afternoon/High Teas and dinner. The sunset and views are just amazing. Seating inside and out.
Oban Chocolate Company
34 Corran EsplanadeChocolates made in the shop and the most fantastic cakes!
Bossards
2 Combie StOne of my favourite tea rooms in Oban.
Excellent historic rural pub, 12 miles south of Oban. Always has the odd treat for dogs while their owners sip real ale, or get tucked into excellent grub.
21 locals recommend
Tigh An Truish Hotel
Excellent historic rural pub, 12 miles south of Oban. Always has the odd treat for dogs while their owners sip real ale, or get tucked into excellent grub.
Food is served throughout the day and evening from Clachaig’s extensive and imaginative menu. The menu is a blend of modern ideas and fresh produce, sourced from local suppliers wherever possible and, whether in need of a light snack or a sumptuous meal, there’s something for everyone.
44 locals recommend
Clachaig Inn
Food is served throughout the day and evening from Clachaig’s extensive and imaginative menu. The menu is a blend of modern ideas and fresh produce, sourced from local suppliers wherever possible and, whether in need of a light snack or a sumptuous meal, there’s something for everyone.
Well worth a visit on your way here or home or if you are doing a trip round Glen Coe. The food is excellent and they do large portions. Dog Friendly.
19 locals recommend
The Real Food Cafe
Well worth a visit on your way here or home or if you are doing a trip round Glen Coe. The food is excellent and they do large portions. Dog Friendly.
Good food and views across Loch Awe, with outside seating. Dog Friendly
16 locals recommend
Ben Cruachan Inn
Good food and views across Loch Awe, with outside seating. Dog Friendly
Good local food in a unique atmosphere, eating in its original slate cattle stalls. Real ales and a great whisky collection. Local musicians play regularly throughout the year. Pet Friendly.
12 locals recommend
The Barn Bar
Good local food in a unique atmosphere, eating in its original slate cattle stalls. Real ales and a great whisky collection. Local musicians play regularly throughout the year. Pet Friendly.
Good food and selection of wines and beers. Very nice to sit outside overlooking the boats, with a walled area that’s safe to let young kids run around. Pets welcome.
7 locals recommend
The Wide Mouthed Frog Hotel & Restaurant
Good food and selection of wines and beers. Very nice to sit outside overlooking the boats, with a walled area that’s safe to let young kids run around. Pets welcome.
Very nice hotel to visit with a spa and pool. Food is excellent and served in a lovely raised restaurant overlooking their grounds and the water.
14 locals recommend
Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa & Golf
Very nice hotel to visit with a spa and pool. Food is excellent and served in a lovely raised restaurant overlooking their grounds and the water.
Open from April to September this is a really good cafe offering lunch and dinner and a selection of home made cakes. Also has a good bookshop inside. Seating inside and out. Great to visit after a walk along Tralee Beach.
15 locals recommend
Ben Lora Cafe & Bookshop
2 A828Open from April to September this is a really good cafe offering lunch and dinner and a selection of home made cakes. Also has a good bookshop inside. Seating inside and out. Great to visit after a walk along Tralee Beach.
Traditional family run hotel offering spectacular views over the Falls of Lora and Mull. The sunsets are amazing. They offer lunch, afternoon tea and evening menus and during the summer you can eat outside on the sun terrace. Booking is recommended especially in the evening and weekends.
12 locals recommend
Lochnell Arms Hotel
North ConelTraditional family run hotel offering spectacular views over the Falls of Lora and Mull. The sunsets are amazing. They offer lunch, afternoon tea and evening menus and during the summer you can eat outside on the sun terrace. Booking is recommended especially in the evening and weekends.
Nouveau cuisine with all tables have a view over Loch Awe, again expensive but worth it for a treat.
9 locals recommend
Taychreggan Hotel
Nouveau cuisine with all tables have a view over Loch Awe, again expensive but worth it for a treat.
Definitely for a special evening of dining over looking the loch (book a table). Expensive dining with superb food. More affordable is their delicious afternoon tea.
7 locals recommend
Ardanaiseig Hotel
Definitely for a special evening of dining over looking the loch (book a table). Expensive dining with superb food. More affordable is their delicious afternoon tea.
Serving lunch and dinner of traditional British dishes, using the best ingredients from farmers and suppliers throughout Argyll. Menu changes daily.
17 locals recommend
Kilchrenan Inn
Serving lunch and dinner of traditional British dishes, using the best ingredients from farmers and suppliers throughout Argyll. Menu changes daily.
Offers Indian, Bangladeshi, Thaie and Chinese food in their restaurant and to take away. Fantastic views across Oban bay.
13 locals recommend
Spice World
28 George StOffers Indian, Bangladeshi, Thaie and Chinese food in their restaurant and to take away. Fantastic views across Oban bay.
Restaurant and Takeaway serves the freshest, tastiest traditional fish and chips, but also some home made special dishes you wouldn't normally expect to find in a chippy
27 locals recommend
The Oban Fish And Chip Shop
116 George StRestaurant and Takeaway serves the freshest, tastiest traditional fish and chips, but also some home made special dishes you wouldn't normally expect to find in a chippy
Coast Restaurant
104 George StWaterfront location with uninterupted views to Kerrera, Lismore and Mull. All their shellfish is 100% locally caught. All shellfish comes in live and is prepared and cooked on the premises. A huge selection of wetfish is also locally caught.
55 locals recommend
Eeusk
Waterfront location with uninterupted views to Kerrera, Lismore and Mull. All their shellfish is 100% locally caught. All shellfish comes in live and is prepared and cooked on the premises. A huge selection of wetfish is also locally caught.
A family friendly pizza/pasta restaurant on the pier, with spectacular views to Kerrera, Mull and the town.
36 locals recommend
Piazza
A family friendly pizza/pasta restaurant on the pier, with spectacular views to Kerrera, Mull and the town.
Offering the finest, fresh fish and shellfish from the West Coast of Scotland, as well as a selection of non-seafood options such as steak, pork and pigeon to ensure there is something for everyone.
39 locals recommend
The Waterfront Fishouse Restaurant
1 Railway PierOffering the finest, fresh fish and shellfish from the West Coast of Scotland, as well as a selection of non-seafood options such as steak, pork and pigeon to ensure there is something for everyone.
Just over 3 miles (4.8km) outside Taynuilt on the road to Glasgow. This locally owned garden centre has a good stock of gifts, plants, pots and gardening supplies as well as Honeysuckle Coffee Shop which offers locally made cakes, homemade soup and filled rolls to eat in or take away.
9 locals recommend
Corachie Clematis Garden Centre
Bridge of AweJust over 3 miles (4.8km) outside Taynuilt on the road to Glasgow. This locally owned garden centre has a good stock of gifts, plants, pots and gardening supplies as well as Honeysuckle Coffee Shop which offers locally made cakes, homemade soup and filled rolls to eat in or take away.
Just over 3 miles (4.8 km) outside Taynuilt on the road to Glasgow. They serve bar meals for lunch and dinner up to 8.30pm. Please phone to book and for more details.
11 locals recommend
Brander Lodge Hotel
Just over 3 miles (4.8 km) outside Taynuilt on the road to Glasgow. They serve bar meals for lunch and dinner up to 8.30pm. Please phone to book and for more details.
Excellent food from this local Garden Centre. Good gift shop and plant shop.
25 locals recommend
Poppies
ByExcellent food from this local Garden Centre. Good gift shop and plant shop.
Inverawe Smokery & Fisheries has something for everyone, be it fishing, finding out how salmon is smoked, exploring the many trails and tracks, feeding the fish, trying our new play area, browsing through the shop, or enjoying our delicious food in the Smokery Café.
21 locals recommend
Inverawe Smokehouses
Inverawe Smokery & Fisheries has something for everyone, be it fishing, finding out how salmon is smoked, exploring the many trails and tracks, feeding the fish, trying our new play area, browsing through the shop, or enjoying our delicious food in the Smokery Café.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Lorne is a traditional pub set in the heart of Oban. We aim to combine an extensive choice of quality freshly prepared food – including locally caught fish and seafood – with a great range of beers and wines, good value and excellent service.
So whether it’s a pint of cold beer in our beer garden, some delicious seafood and glass of wine or a place to party the night away…the Lorne Bar has it covered! Pet Friendly.
18 locals recommend
Lorne Bar
Stevenson StreetThe Lorne is a traditional pub set in the heart of Oban. We aim to combine an extensive choice of quality freshly prepared food – including locally caught fish and seafood – with a great range of beers and wines, good value and excellent service.
So whether it’s a pint of cold beer in our beer garden, some delicious seafood and glass of wine or a place to party the night away…the Lorne Bar has it covered! Pet Friendly.
Skipinnish Ceilidh House in Oban not only offers live Scottish music shows throughout the summer, but is also a club night venue on Saturday nights and throughout the winter for locals and visitors to the area. Visit our Facebook page to see the up-to-date listings of what is on - Skipinnish Ceilidh House.
21 locals recommend
The View
34 George StSkipinnish Ceilidh House in Oban not only offers live Scottish music shows throughout the summer, but is also a club night venue on Saturday nights and throughout the winter for locals and visitors to the area. Visit our Facebook page to see the up-to-date listings of what is on - Skipinnish Ceilidh House.
Excellent value. Situated on the pier it has an excellent view across the bay and to the islands.
17 locals recommend
The Corryvreckan - JD Wetherspoon
Railway PierExcellent value. Situated on the pier it has an excellent view across the bay and to the islands.
Cuan Mor
60 George StGood Food and outside seating which looks over Oban Bay.
Sightseeing
McCaig's Tower
Duncraggan RoadFantastic views of Oban and out to the islands
Parks & Nature
Glen Creran
Lots of different trails for walking or cycling.
Sutherland's Grove forest walks
Lots of different trails for walking or cycling.
Beinn Lora
Lots of different trails for walking or cycling.
Lots of different trails for walking or cycling.
12 locals recommend
Glen Nant National Nature Reserve
Lots of different trails for walking or cycling.
Fearnoch Forest
Lots of different trails for walking or cycling.
Tralee Beach, Benderloch
There is well over a mile of sandy beach with shallow water. The beach is sandy at one end with sand dunes and shingle at the other end.
12 locals recommend
Benderloch
Tralee Beach, Benderloch
There is well over a mile of sandy beach with shallow water. The beach is sandy at one end with sand dunes and shingle at the other end.
The beach below our house is the one I visit most, the views are always good and it's less than a minute walk away, easy to nip back for things you've forgotten or the toilet. The main picture on my website was taken there. The beach is a mixture of black sand and rocks, my kids spend hours there, looking for crabs or making sand castles or just playing in the water, sometimes you don't need to go far to have an excellent day out.
11 locals recommend
Airds Bay
The beach below our house is the one I visit most, the views are always good and it's less than a minute walk away, easy to nip back for things you've forgotten or the toilet. The main picture on my website was taken there. The beach is a mixture of black sand and rocks, my kids spend hours there, looking for crabs or making sand castles or just playing in the water, sometimes you don't need to go far to have an excellent day out.
There are two golden sandy beaches near Oban. As you drive into Oban from Taynuilt you come to a roundabout. Take the second turn, at the next roundabout take the second turn and follow the road along for 1.2 miles (1.9km). Wee Ganavan is about a mile along, parking is along the side of the road and is free. Ganavan Sands is about another 0.7 of a mile (1.1 km) at the end of the road. Ganavan Sands has toilets but parking is not free. You will pass Dunollie Castle on the way to Wee Ganavan which is well worth a visit and has a Tea Room.
36 locals recommend
Ganavan Sands
There are two golden sandy beaches near Oban. As you drive into Oban from Taynuilt you come to a roundabout. Take the second turn, at the next roundabout take the second turn and follow the road along for 1.2 miles (1.9km). Wee Ganavan is about a mile along, parking is along the side of the road and is free. Ganavan Sands is about another 0.7 of a mile (1.1 km) at the end of the road. Ganavan Sands has toilets but parking is not free. You will pass Dunollie Castle on the way to Wee Ganavan which is well worth a visit and has a Tea Room.
Lovely woodland garden with an excellent collection of shrubs etc just a couple of miles (3.2 km) out of Taynuilt on the Glen Lonan Road.
12 locals recommend
Angus's Garden
Glen LonanLovely woodland garden with an excellent collection of shrubs etc just a couple of miles (3.2 km) out of Taynuilt on the Glen Lonan Road.
Kerrera
Lovely to walk or cycle round, see the castle and visit the cafe
Arts & Culture
Oban War & Peace Museum
Corran EsplanadeExcellent for the history of the area.
Dunstaffnage Castle & Chapel
Castle GroundsExcellent for the history of the area.
Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds
Visit the Castle, grounds and tea room
Easdale Island Folk Museum
4 Ellenabeich - EasdaleEasdale Island excellent day out
Bonawe Historic Iron Furnace
Very informative about the area
Shopping
Lovely small art gallery to visit. Do it on your way back down from McCaigs Tower. Her garden is amazing too. Some of her pictures are displayed outside Oban Chocolate Shop
9 locals recommend
Alice Strange
Craigard RoadLovely small art gallery to visit. Do it on your way back down from McCaigs Tower. Her garden is amazing too. Some of her pictures are displayed outside Oban Chocolate Shop
Purdies of Argyll Ltd
6B Main St WCandles, soaps and gifts
Wool & Needlecraft Centre
13 Argyll SquareOne for the sewing and knitting enthusiasts
Alba
6 Albany StArt supplies, cards, paintings and lots of other gifts.
Orsay Oban
2 Stevenson StExcellent selection of unusual gifts.
Room 15
15 Stafford StReally good selection of gifts
The Iona Shop
2 Queen's Park PlVast selection of Celtic Jewelry and other gifts
The Gem Box
1 Corran EsplanadeLovely jewelry and staff are very helpful
Outside Edge
6 Macgregor CourtGood selection of outdoor equipment
Sea Kayak Oban
6-8 Argyll StCourses on kayaking and well supplied shop
Essentials
mydentist, Shore Street, Oban
Shore StreetLidl
9 Soroba RdGood grocery store
ALDI
Lynn RoadGood grocery store
Farmfoods Ltd
Dunollie RoadExcellent value for money
Tesco Superstore
Lochside StreetJust 3 miles (4.8 km) outside Taynuilt on the road to Glasgow. Well stocked shop that supplies the local caravan site, selling a variety of goods, newspapers and fuel.
7 locals recommend
SPAR Awe Filling Station
2 Crunachy CottagesJust 3 miles (4.8 km) outside Taynuilt on the road to Glasgow. Well stocked shop that supplies the local caravan site, selling a variety of goods, newspapers and fuel.
Offers a variety of services including nails and brows. Look at their facebook page TaynuiltHairdressing.
7 locals recommend
Taynuilt Hairdressing
Main StreetOffers a variety of services including nails and brows. Look at their facebook page TaynuiltHairdressing.
A must visit even if you think you don't need anything. Ian's stock is extensive and of excellent quality and he is usually open until about 8pm. He will also deliver locally.
13 locals recommend
Grahams Grocers
1905 B845A must visit even if you think you don't need anything. Ian's stock is extensive and of excellent quality and he is usually open until about 8pm. He will also deliver locally.
Lorn & Islands Hospital
Glengallan RoadOban Veterinary Surgeons
9B Tweedale StLocal vets
Taynuilt Medical Practice
Local Doctors
Not just a post office, has a great stock of items from newspapers, gifts and cards to fishing nets. Also has a coffee machine and a selection of snacks.
7 locals recommend
Taynuilt Post Office
Main StreetNot just a post office, has a great stock of items from newspapers, gifts and cards to fishing nets. Also has a coffee machine and a selection of snacks.