The are a variety of very special day trips to be taken from Oban such as:
This beautiful island is six miles long and can be seen from Glenburnie. There are two ferries to Kerrera - the South ferry and the North ferry. The island is home to about 40 people, so there are few cars. It is an ideal place to walk or cycle and the views are breathtaking. Whilst there are no shops on the island, there is a wonderful tearoom at the south end which should not be missed along with a visit to the 16th-century Gylen Castle. In the north part of the island, there is the Waypoint Restaurant which is perfect for a spot of lunch as you watch the boats go by.
A day trip to Mull and Iona could be a highlight of your visit to Oban. The islands are best visited by taking an inclusive excursion. Most tours include the ferry crossing to Craignure on Mull, a journey across the Ross of Mull and then another ferry to Iona where you can visit the Abbey and the burial place of many Scottish Kings. Sea and weather permitting, it’s also possible to visit the Island of Staffa with its famous Fingal’s Cave.
Take a Calmac ferry from Oban to Craignure on the Isle of Mull and then a bus to Tobermory. One of the most picturesque towns in the Hebridean Isles with its famous whisky distillery and colourful waterfront. You can wander along the streets, visit the delightful local museum, perhaps watch a pipe band, admire the wooden fishing boats and take in the long history of this lovely village.
Just seven miles by a Calmac ferry from Oban, Lismore is a wonderful day trip. The island is tranquil and unspoiled, and surrounded on all sides by stunning mountain scenery, from Ben Nevis in the north – snow-capped in winter – to the hills of Mull in the south. Lismore’s English name is taken from the Gaelic ‘Lios Mor’ – literally translated as ‘Great Garden’. This gives a clue as to why the island is worth a visit. Together with its historical sights, there is an array of flowers and wildlife to see. Lismore is only 10 miles long, so, if you don’t feel like taking the car, it’s super just to take a bike instead.
An hour drive from Oban (buses are available), the Isle of Luing is definitely worth a visit. There is a short, interesting ferry ride from the Isle of Seil to the Isle of Luing. One on the isle, you can cycle or walk to the Atlantic Islands Centre which has a community-based café.
Easdale is a 45-minute drive from Oban (buses are available). There is a short ferry ride from the Isle of Seil. The Isle of Easdale was once very famous for slate-mining. Today you can swim in the abandoned slate quarries and enjoy stunning views of the Isle of Mull and the Sound of Luing. There is a café on the island.
Inveraray is an hour drive from Oban (buses are available). A must visit is the Inverary Castle, home to the Duke and Duchess of Argyll. There is also Inverary Jail, a real 19th-century prison, and a short drive away there is Crarae woodland garden with Himalayan plants and tumbling waterfalls.
Kilmartin Glen is an hour drive from Oban. It is worth stopping at the Kilmartin Archaeological Museum (and café) which explores thousands of years of Scotland’s history. There are interesting walks from the museum which visit ancient burial cairns which date from 5,000 to 3,500 years ago.
The Crinan Canal was built in 1801 for seafarers to avoid rounding the stormy Mull of Kintyre. Queen Victoria travelled though the Canal, and a Crinan Canal trip became a very popular Victorian pastime. The canal has truly magnificent scenery and is rich in history, with many world-class heritage sites. It is a designated wildlife reserve with miles of forest walks and cycle ways. The basin on the west end of the canal has a café where you can sit and enjoy the variable canal traffic as it enters and leaves the canal.
A 45-minute drive from Oban is Port Appin and Castle Stalker. Visit the local nature reserve and admire the famous Castle Stalker. Stop for refreshments at the Castle Stalker View Café.