Holiday Cottages & Accommodation in Oban

A gateway to beautiful islands and close to historic castles, gorgeous gardens and sublime scenery, Oban is heaven for walkers, beach lovers, fishing fans and even golfers. Because of this, it's a fantastic place to rent a holiday cottage. The town is also a place to get away from it all and relax in solitude and peace. Because of this it can feel a little off the beaten track to first time visitors. However, getting there isn't hard and there are a few easy ways to do so.

Firstly, you can catch the train direct to Oban Station. The West Highland Line runs into Oban and drops visitors off right by the quay, and you can continue to accommodation in town or board boats for the islands with ease. There are between two and six daily trains from Glasgow Queen Street, and the Caledonian Sleeper runs from London Euston to nearby Crianlarich. So wherever you are in the UK, rail connections should be available. Oban doesn't have an airport, but you can easily reach your holiday cottage via Glasgow or Edinburgh. Both airports have links to other UK cities such as Belfast, Birmingham and London, and flights won't take more than an hour in most cases. From the airport, you can catch trains across Scotland. A change in Glasgow will be needed if you're coming from Edinburgh.

Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive via the A82 and A85. Expect the journey to take 2 hours from Glasgow and around 3 hours from Edinburgh, while driving from London to Oban accommodation will take close to 9 hours. Finally, coach travel is a popular way to reach Oban. Companies like Megabus offer connections from London Victoria to Oban via Glasgow at affordable prices. It takes around 13 hours, but the price and comfort make coaches a real possibility. However you plan to travel to Oban, expect beautiful views and a warm welcome. So pick a route that's as stress free as possible.

The history of Oban has been tied to the sea since the Bronze age. Scottish salmon is exported worldwide, while the rocky coast of Argyll is ideal for oysters, scallops and mussels, which are considered the best in Scotland. And of course, Scotch fare is best followed by a warming whiskey.

The Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary is perfect for a rainy day, but if you're up for a hike, drive from your accommodation to Inverawe Smokehouse and Bonawe Iron Furnace at Taynuilt, which transports visitors back to ancient times. The Hollow Mountain at Loch Awe is a highly photogenic rock formation, while Inveraray Castle is steeped in history.

Dunollie Castle

The history of the famed MacDougall family is recorded in this exciting relic from the past, which overlooks Kerrera, North Lorn and the islands further out to sea. An exciting exhibition engages the whole family, who will love exploring the hidden gardens and enchanting Dunollie woodlands.

Dunstaffnage Castle

Just try pronouncing the name Dunstaffnage without a Scots accent – it’s the best way to get into character. Complete with chapel, this typical Scottish castle was another MacDougall stronghold. Built before 1240, and captured by Robert the Bruce in 1308, the castle remained in royal hands for over a century. Take in the strategic position yourself from its ramparts.

McCaig's Tower

Situated on Oban's Battery Hill, this tower was commissioned by the philanthropic banker John Stewart McCraig. Erected in 1902 just before his death, his intention was to provide a lasting monument to his family and provide work for the local stonemasons throughout the winter months. Construction was halted at the time of his death, so only the outer structure was completed.

Oban Distillery

The best way to take in the local culture is to drink Oban's whiskey. The magic happens atop a steep cliff that overlooks Oban, where you can explore the whiskey making process from tasting the malt through to the varieties of distillates. These not only make ideal presents, but you can continue enjoying your highland adventure long after you return home with a snifter of the gold stuff.

Black Guillemot

Oban is one of the best places in the world to spot this rare and distinctive bird, with its red legs and throat, black body and white-spotted wings. The harbour in particular is a favourite with wildlife photographers as it is thronged with them. The Black Guillemot has become something of symbol of Argyll – keep your eyes peeled.