Oban is a beautiful town on the west coast of Argyll in Scotland. The view across the bay is spectacular as you breathe in the pure air. It is known as the Gateway to the Isles and the Seafood Capital of Scotland.
We like to visit distilleries and Oban is ideal because the distillery is right there in the heart of the town. Not only is it one of the oldest, being built in 1794, but it is also one of the smallest with only two pot stills. We learnt that Oban was just a small fishing village before the distillery was established – that led to the growth of the town. Naturally we thoroughly enjoyed our guided tour to learn all about the process and, most importantly, sample the malt whisky direct from the cask!
We only stayed for one night in Oban on our tour of Scotland by rail, which in many ways was a pity. There is a lot more to see in the area such as Dunollie Castle or a trip on the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to the Hebridean Islands. Up on Battery Hill overlooking the town is McCaig’s Tower. It was commissioned by a philanthropic banker and was meant to replicate the Colosseum in Rome, but only the shell was completed. The interior now contains a public garden with panoramic views to the islands.
The great advantage for us taking a rail tour around Scotland was the fact that the railway from Glasgow stops in the town – close to the Premier Inn where we stayed and the Wetherspoon’s for breakfast. Win Win!
