If you’ve got a taste for seafood, this small town acts as the unofficial capital of the West Highlands and is known across the UK for its delectable fish and other foods sourced locally from the seaside. 

A picturesque town nestled on the west coast of Scotland, Oban is hailed by both locals and tourists as a must-visit spot, thanks to not just the fine dishes but also the sweeping views and deep history.

With plenty of boat trips on offer, beautiful landscapes, castle grounds to wander and  restaurants to fill you up, it’s no wonder visitors continue to roll in all year round. 

Seafood

Oban is widely celebrated for its unparalleled contribution to the world of seafood. As the area is completely surrounded by the clearest of waters from the North Atlantic, it produces some of the freshest seafood in Scotland. 

One of the top things to do for any tourist in their right mind is to catch a taste of the fare, immersing themselves in a true Scottish culinary experience. In fact, TripAdvisor boasts a long list of restaurants serving up the food, with plenty of raving reviews from customers.

The top five spots to try the local fish, mussels, crab and more include The Lorne Bar, Coast Restaurant, Ee-usk, Oban Fish and Chip Shop and The Waterfront Fishhouse Restaurant. A review for The Lorne Bar claims: “The most delicious scallops I’ve ever tasted – huge, juicy and cooked to absolute perfection – sublime.”

Heritage sites

Oban and Lorn & the Isles is an ancient region bursting with history, and along its breathtaking coastline sits a number of castles, ruins and townhouses. The most romantic of locations live within the town and act as a beautiful backdrop for a country walk or a day of learning about the Scottish heritage.

According to their visitor site, there are six top sites that should be on your list, all packed into one easily accessible town. The list includes:

• Dunollie Castle

• Dunstaffnage Castle

• Gylen Castle

• Castle Coeffin 

• Kilchurn Castle

• Castle Stalker

Although voted highest up out of them all on the top things to do in the town as voted by TripAdvisor is the Dunstaffnage Castle & Chapel. One visitor left a review, saying: “This by far one of my favourite castles. It was a stronghold of the Lords of the Isles and is in fairly good condition for wandering around. The curtain wall is an excellent example of this type of castle construction.”

Stunning landscapes

Walking is a must-do activity for the majority of visitors in Oban, whether it’s a leisurely beach stroll or, if they’re partial to a peak hike, the area is in high supply of breathtaking views. Not to mention, the area acts as a major transport hub and therefore boasts a wide range of ferry and boat trips to see the serene settings from the water and explore further afield. 

When it comes to a hill walk, while Oban isn’t the most mountainous of areas in Scotland, it is still home to some of the most beautiful landscapes. The majority of their hills overlook the sea and don’t require expert-level hiking to take it all in. Just a few miles north of Oban, Ben Lora offers unbelievable views and can be completed both up and down in roughly two hours.

Then there are munro hills surrounding the town, which stand at 3,000 ft in height and are named after Sir Hugh Munro, who became the first person to take them all on. Oban is home to over 20 of these hills, and all are within an easy-breasy 45-minute drive.