Welcome to Oban

The port of Oban is located on the west coast of Scotland overlooking the Sound of Kerrera, in the county of Argyllshire, approximately 462 miles north-north-west of London and 38 miles north-west of Inverary.

The town has a population of around 8,000. Administratively it is within the unitary council region of Argyll and Bute which covers an area of approximately 6,900 sq kms and which has a population of around 91,000.

The largest port in north-west Scotland, it is a popular tourist destination and gateway to the stunning mountains, lochs and forests of the Western Isles and Western Highlands, with ferries travelling from here to Mull, Iona, Coll, Tiree, Barra, South Uist, Colonsay and Lismore. It enjoys a beautiful and protected setting, with Oban Bay naturally sheltered from Atlantic winds by the island of Kerrera. Much of the architecture of the town is Victorian, but there are notable historic buildings, including the remains of the 15th century Dunollie Castle, and the 13th century Dunstaffnage Castle just north of Oban.

The town's major period of development began in the late 18th century when it was popularised by the visitations of Dr Johnson, Boswell and later Sir Walter Scott, and by the end of the 19th century it had become a thriving resort. Oban is known as 'The Gateway to the Islands', and ferries run out to the islands of the Inner Hebrides, Isle of Mull, Iona and beyond.

Historically the town's economy was based upon fishing, glassmaking, spinning and weaving. Today tourism is of major importance.

The name Oban is derived from the Gaelic 'An Ob', meaning 'little bay'.