The Gateway to the Isles

| Posted: 06-11-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 3 | Rating: (50)

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The town of Oban is the unofficial capital of the West Highlands know as the Gateway to the Isles. Oban itself literally means little bay, derived from the Gaelic An Ob. the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William

It is a busy working port. As fishing goes their main catch is prawns, scallops clams, crabs and lobsters. About 75 percent of the catch goes to France, Spain and Italy.

The Harbour is the real heart of this West High land town. The Corran Esplanade is great for walking a long, simply to enjoy the sea air or watch the boats and ferries come. Ferries leave Oban habour for the following islands Islay, Colonsay, Coll, Tiree, Mull, Lismore, Barra and South Uist.

Ganavan Sands is Obans beach it has a clean sandy beach overlooking Loch Linnheor the sandy beach at Tralee.

Oban has been a popular tourist destination since the Victorian era, with a steam ship bringing visitors from Glasgow as early as 1812.

George Street, is the main shopping area of the town and Argyll Square with its attractive floral display and lined with even more shops and cafes.

Oban comes alive at night and especially during the summer when the town is buzzing with visitors. A multitude of pubs, night clubs and restaurants cater for all tastes and age groups. Excellent local bands are a regular attraction in the town and many of the pubs.

The town grew up around the distillery and since its foundation in 1794 it has played an important role in local life. Oban has enjoyed been a single malt since the 1880's. The distillery is bang in the centre of town and is located just off George Street.

Obans most famous landmark is McCaigs Tower built at the end of the 19th Century, it is a copy of the Coliseum in Rome. The work on the tower stopped after Mr McCaigs death in 1902. The empty shell of the tower dominates the Oban sky line, and is now a public garden.

Oban Rare Breeds Farm Park Set on a thirty-five acre working livestock farm home to Australian Black Swans, geese and ducks.

Dunstaffnage Castle is where The Stone of Destiny was brought over from Ireland via Iona. It was a MacDougall stronghold until 1309, it was seized by Robert the Bruce. The castle is said to have a ghost in a green dress, apparently a glaistig, a fairy woman.

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Douglas Scott writes for The Car Hire Specialist. and is a free lance writer for The Oban Villa Rental Site

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