FOOD, KILTS & WHISKY, it must be OBAN.
One of the most special places in Scotland – to me anyhow. I’m almost from Oban, born along the road at Connel, more of that later. OBAN the Seafood Capital of Scotland and the Gateway to the Isles. Dine out on the freshest seafood and share a dram or three of the world’s most famous Scotch whiskies. The secret is the cold, clear waters that give up top-quality fish and shellfish, including oysters, mussels, langoustines, prawns, scallops, crab, mackerel, haddock, herring and squat lobster. The shack at the pier is a good starting point, next to calmac. Many great seafood restaurants. A different one for each day of the week, and then there is the fish suppers!
Castles that are easy to visit; Dunollie Castle it still remains the seat and ancestral home of Clan MacDougall. Dunstaffnage Castle sits overlooking the water near Oban, it was the former stronghold of the ‘Kings of the Isles’ Macdonalds. Famous names associated here, The Bruce, Flora Macdonald, go and see why. Gylen Castle on the island of Kerrera. The ferry journey from Oban to Kerrera takes just a few minutes, nae cars. Castle Coeffin on the island of Lismore is a ruin looking out to Loch Linnhe, take a wee ferry from Oban.
Fancy a Boat trip from Oban? Lots to choose from; Oban is a world-class destination for spotting seals, whales, dolphins and porpoises plus minke whales, basking sharks and even the orca, wildlife-watching boat trips, the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, one of the largest permanent whirlpools on earth. Record-breaking Giant Skate have been caught off Oban and there’s plenty of opportunities to join a game fishing trip. Ask me about “swimming with sharks”.
Walk up Pulpit Hill to enjoy views across the bay to McCaig’s Tower – a prominent landmark in Oban – not Roman, not Greek. The War and Peace Museum where you can find out about the fishing and maritime industries, the railways, and the strategic role played by Oban during the war years, with close connections to USA. Oban Chocolate Company shop on Oban’s Esplanade is a chocaholic’s dream!
From award-winning fine dining to family-friendly gastro pubs to the freshest fish and chips, there’s something for all tastes and budgets, some great wee cafés and pubs, my favourite being Auley’s, Oban Inn, Tartan Bar. A fresh coffee or tea, enjoy the views and watch the ferries to the Hebrides coming and going. From fish and chips to a Michelin-listed restaurant meal with a view, there is something for everyone’s taste in Oban!
And a special whisky produced in Oban, the pure water, and the smoky peat combine with skills that have been passed down through the generations to produce world-class whisky, even we Maclean’s have a special bottle – ask for Teddy. One of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and one of the smallest with just two pot stills, established in 1794, before most of the town, a refurbishment in the 1890s and little change to the buildings since then.
Take a guided tour to discover the ancient craft of whisky production, if you fancy a few more drams, Oban Distillery has its own tasting bar – recommended – where they also do very good whisky cocktails! I could go on about whisky till you are asleep, but I won’t. For expert advice and a huge range of single malts, call into Oban Whisky & Fine Wines Shop on Stafford Street. The owners are passionate about whisky, to say the least, and will be more than happy to give you some tips and introduce you to the smaller, less well-known distilleries. I call in here all the time.
Kilts – say no more, I know where to take you; Connel Bay Scottish Highlandwear. A small family business that pride themselves on being one of the few that can offer a true Highland experience, expert knowledge and genuine Scottish products. Order your very own bespoke kilt and highland dress outfit from the comfort of your home wherever you are in the world and they will have it ready waiting for your arrival in Oban, on a guided tour by MCLEANSCOTLAND naturally. Choose from a range of Scottish tartans and luxury fabrics. AS A MENTION TO ALL MACLEAN’S TRAVELLING TO SCOTLAND; they hire two different Maclean tartan kilts! Many thanks to oban.org for much info.
I could go on and on, but will deviate a wee minute to take you to where I was born. Connel (Gaelic: A’ Choingheal) a village situated on the southern shore of Loch Etive. The Lusragan Burn flows through the village and into the loch. You cannee miss Connel Bridge, a large cantilever bridge that spans Loch Etive at the Falls of Lora. It was built to carry the Callander and Oban Railway’s branch line to Ballachulish that opened in 1903. Need refreshments after all this reading? The Oyster Inn and Gluepot Bar is THE place to go. When home, this is my second home, must be the glue keeping me there … the oldest part of the building dates back to the 1700’s when it was known as the Ferrymans Inn due to the ferry as it was then, carrying passengers between Connel and north Lorn now replaced with Connel bridge over the famous Falls of Lora tidal waters – looking at this, the water flows both ways at the same time, oh aye, and great sunsets. The bar is known by locals as the gluepot. The rear of the original building was at one time home to a blacksmith, who when trimming horse hooves would melt the cut off in a double-sided pot to produce glue. The original stone walls have been stripped back reveal the bones of this, the oldest part of the building.
So, have I convinced you to take a tour with us, and especially to Oban? Just drop me an email; paul@mcleanscotland.co.uk
Paul Mclean, MCLEAN SCOTLAND
www.whiskytours.scot
This 100% rye American single malt offers fresh apple and pear aromas underpinned by oak. The palate flips that, leading with drying, resiny oak, with just a hint of fruity freshness wafting into the spicy black pepper finish. (KN) 
(7/2017)
