Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
lots of camping space and great views across to Kerrera, with a
good chance of a breeze to blow the midges away. Facilities
include a self-catering kitchen,
TV/
games lounge, BBQs and
on-site shop.
April to mid-Oct.
£15
/pitch
EATING
Oban now rates as one of the finest places in Scotland to eat
fresh seafood
, with more than half a dozen highly
commendable seafood
restaurants
to choose from. Moreover, if you're on the go, or just need a quick bite whilst waiting
for the ferry, you'll find a cluster of excellent seafood
stalls
down by the harbour.
6
Ee-usk
North Pier
T
01631 565666,
W
eeusk.com.
Salmon mousse, sea bass with creamed leeks and savoury
mash, and glistening seafood platters (£19.95 for two) are
typical offerings in this lively waterfront restaurant that
makes the most of the uninterrupted harbour views.
Daily
noon-3pm & 5.45-10pm.
Fishouse Restaurant
1 Railway Pier
T
01631
563110,
W
waterfrontoban.co.uk.
Despite the
unprepossessing exterior, this is a great place with an
open kitchen rustling up impressive dishes primarily
using scallops (Isle of Mull scallop salad), langoustine
(crispy tails) and the best of the daily catch, such as
lobster ravioli (£13.99).
Mon-Fri & Sun noon-2.15pm
& 5.30am-10pm, Sat-noon 10pm.
Julie's Coffee House
33 Stafford
St
T
01631 565952.
The pick of the many cafés hereabouts, this is a warm,
friendly local with super home-baked treats and tasty
coffee.
Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, also Mon in July & Aug.
Kitchen Garden
14 George St
T
01631 566332,
W
kitchengardenoban.co.uk. Impressive, central deli with a
licensed café up on the mezzanine offering breakfast rolls,
filled toasted croissants, and sweet and savoury scones,
among other delicious things.
Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm,
Sun 10am-4.30pm.
TAKEAWAYS
Ì
Oban Fish and Chips
116 George St
T
01631
567000.
A cut above your average chippie (and the best
one in Oban), with some surprisingly sophisticated food
like Oban Bay chowder, and spicy crab and avocado salad
(£8.80) to go alongside the stock fish and chips; good ice
cream too, and there's seating available.
Daily
11.30am-10.30pm.
Original Green Shack
Railway Pier (no phone).
Long-
standing and hugely popular seafood shack that also goes
by the name of John Ogden's, serving langoustine
sandwiches, scallops in hot garlic butter (£6.95), mussels in
white wine (£3.95), oysters, prawns, cockles and much,
much more. Wooden benches available for seating.
Mon-
Fri & Sun 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-8pm.
CAFÉS AND RESTAURANTS
Ì
Coast
104 George St
T
01631 569900,
W
coastoban
.com.
A slick place with a metropolitan atmosphere, serving
acclaimed and original fish dishes like seared scallops with
ham-hock potato croquettes and pea puree (£17.50). As you'd
expect from one of the town's classiest outfits, the atmosphere
and service is first-rate.
Mon-Sat noon-2.30pm & 5.30-
10pm, Sun 5.30-10pm.
Isle of Kerrera
One of the best places to escape from the crowds in Oban is the low-lying island of
KERRERA
, which shelters Oban Bay from the worst of the westerly winds. Measuring
just five miles by two, the island is easily explored on foot. he island's most prominent
landmark is the
Hutcheson's Monument
, commemorating David Hutcheson, one of the
Victorian founders of what is now Caledonian MacBrayne. he most appealing vistas,
however, are from Kerrera's highest point,
Càrn Breugach
(620ft), over to Mull, the
Slate Islands, Lismore, Jura and beyond.
he ferry lands roughly halfway down the east coast, at the north end of
Horseshoe Bay
, where King Alexander II died in 1249. If the weather's good and
you feel like lazing by the sea, head for the island's finest sandy beach,
Slatrach Bay
,
on the west coast, one mile northwest of the ferry jetty. Otherwise, there's a very
rewarding trail down to the clifftop ruin of
Gylen Castle
and back to the ferry via
the Drove Road.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
ISLE OF KERRERA
By ferry
The passenger and bicycle ferry crosses
regularly (summer 8am & 8.40am, then every 30min
until 7pm; winter every 1-2hr;
T
01631 563665; £5
return) through the day from the mainland two miles
down the Gallanach road from Oban. In summer, bus
#431 from Oban train station connects with the ferry
once a day.
Destinations
Gallanach (every 30min; 10min).
