Oban in Scotland weeks holiday

KIPAX

KIPAX

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KIPAX Lancashire UK
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OK So having never heard of the place before.. was going to go to Fort William for a week but found this more west scotland (and a lot cheaper) :)

Have booked 6 days in the middle of July ... Also (on advice) pre booked the ferry to the Isle of Mull for one day.. Arrive 9.35am leave 6.30 pm

The last time I went to Scotland (north) enjoyed getting some decent shots of puffins and dolphins .. I don't normally take my camera gear and the lumix pocket camera usually OK .. But will take it again this time..

Love looking at landscape.. not so much photographing it.... But Eagles and Ssea life.. gotta be worth taking the 400 :)

Any tips and advice welcome.. its all booked so deffo going :)
 
I went a few years ago and really enjoyed exploring the area.
If possible, maximise the A82, I suppose the lochs and Buch are mandatory, but also get off the beaten track where possible.
Rannoch is a Wild and beautiful area.
In Oban, do try Eeusk (if it's still there), - on the North Pier, the freshest and tastiest fish I've ever had.
A run alongside both sides of Loch Ness in a vehicle proved a great day; and if you fancy a night venture, Findhorn Bay near Forres (further North) produces some beautiful sunsets...
Whatever you do, have a fantastic time
 
Glencoe lochan is one place many visit on the way up, also even better and less crouded is Torren Lochan. Worth taking an hour ro go down the Glen Etive road for some nice scenery. All this on the way to Oban so spend a day in this area but it can get busy with toursts. Lol
 
Mull is beautiful, so many places to go on the island. Suggested route, go up to Salen, turn left on the B8035 then right onto the B8073 if you follow that round to the car par where the river Ba joins the bay you may well see some seal otters. Follow the road round depending on time you can head to Ulva. As you head towards Torloisk and all the way round to Calgary Bay keep an eye out for sea eagles. The beeach at Calgery Bay is just fantastic. Follow the road round to Darvaig Keep on the B8073 all the way to Tobermory. Lovely roads if a bit narrow.
 
Beware of the midges.
 
Book on the boat from ulva for the sea eagle trip with your day in mull. You could head south to knapdale for beavers. Landscape opportunities abound, castle stalker, kilchurn castle, glen etive, shots to the islands. Middle of july will be busy for most places but ardnamurchan peninsula might be good as often a bit quieter, although probably because it can be a trek to get there.
 
reheat module said:
I went a few years ago and really enjoyed exploring the area.
If possible, maximise the A82, I suppose the lochs and Buch are mandatory, but also get off the beaten track where possible.
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Cheers yes on our first ever scotland holiday 3 yrs ago? .. I took 2 days coming down the a82 from Inverness.. just looking for the brown signs pointing to places of interest and pulling over .....just before fort william we saw a lot of cars pulling into what seemed like a normal layby.. thinking it might be a scenic vewpoint we followed the cars in..... was suprised to find it was the commando memorial... wasnt advertised or signposted.. i felt lucky that i just followed other cars for a nosey and found it..

Also did Inverrary last year for the highland games..great part of the country ..they are on the 16th this yr

reheat module said:
In Oban, do try Eeusk (if it's still there), - on the North Pier, the freshest and tastiest fish I've ever had.
A run alongside both sides of Loch Ness in a vehicle proved a great day; and if you fancy a night venture, Findhorn Bay near Forres (further North) produces some beautiful sunsets...
Whatever you do, have a fantastic time
Click to expand...

We like fish :) It's our 30 yr anniversary on the thursday so we intend to find somwhere nice that evening :)
 
munch said:
Mull is beautiful, so many places to go on the island. Suggested route, go up to Salen, turn left on the B8035 then right onto the B8073 if you follow that round to the car par where the river Ba joins the bay you may well see some seal otters. Follow the road round depending on time you can head to Ulva. As you head towards Torloisk and all the way round to Calgary Bay keep an eye out for sea eagles. The beeach at Calgery Bay is just fantastic. Follow the road round to Darvaig Keep on the B8073 all the way to Tobermory. Lovely roads if a bit narrow.
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Going to google all that later today thanks.. the eagle watch is definitaly somehtign I am going to look for ..
 
Highly recommend the boat trip for the sea eagles, but you should book early, may already be too late. One of the most reliable places for otters is VERY near the ferry terminal. Pm me for details. There are also photo / nature trips that will pick you up from the ferry which may be cost effective. Enjoy
 
How about taking the ferry out to the Outer Hebrides as well? A nice snoop around Harris will do you well.

Mull is gorgeous too.
 
Just off Oban is Kerrera Island. Well worth a visit. There is a ferry and part-way round the island a tea room and bunkhouse - the food is basic but great. Apart from perhaps 30-40 inhabitants, there is only wild life and incredible view and panoramas. You can still go out into Oban for an evening meal on the same day - it is that close. When in Oban visit the Oban Distillery - fantastic single malt. We had a very good holiday there.

If you are into design and architecture, on the way up, call into Helensborugh and visit Hill House. The building, decoration and furniture are by Charles Rennie MacIntosh and his wife Margaret Macdonald.

Anthony.
 
Mull is nice but the roads are narrow in places with wild woolly bollards about, the main town is very nice for pictures with the coloured houses.
 
South of Oban is Kilmartin Glen which has a number of archeological sites (https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/kilmartin/kilmartinglen/index.html).

Further south is the Crinan Canal which has potential for photos. At the west end of the canal is the village of Crinan. From here there are various boat trips including the Gulf of Corryvreckan - worth seeing IMO if the tide is right.

Dave
 
If you're too late to book a boat cruise. Loch Frisa (i think its called) on Mull has an rspb hide/lodge and they have a sea eagle watch morning and afternoon. I suspect you could just turn up but worth googling and booking maybe. I went in May a few years ago and was lucky enough to see one, massive!

When I went, as I was leaving I saw what I thought was a grey tabby cat. However as there was no nearby housing I wonder if it actually was a scottish wild cat.

The roads maybe narrow on Mull but theres next to no traffic and the scenery is great while you're waiting for sheep/random car anyway.
 
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Tobers said:
How about taking the ferry out to the Outer Hebrides as well? A nice snoop around Harris will do you well.
.
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There doesnt seem to be one from Oban.... have another look later but cant see it ..
 
mj4456 said:
Mull is nice but the roads are narrow in places with wild woolly bollards about, the main town is very nice for pictures with the coloured houses.
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second person to mention narrow roads and am guessing third week in july will be busy :( are these twin sided roads or single track ? Too late now ferry booked and there for the day though :)
 
DorsetDude said:
If you're too late to book a boat cruise. Loch Frisa (i think its called) on Mull has an rspb hide/lodge and they have a sea eagle watch morning and afternoon. .
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I think its the onland one I saw.. based on the edge of a golf course.... Not normally a nature photogrpaher but photogrpahing an eagle would be.. well... :)
 
KIPAX said:
second person to mention narrow roads and am guessing third week in july will be busy :( are these twin sided roads or single track ? Too late now ferry booked and there for the day though :)
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Narrow roads predominately single tracked with passing places. If you don't drive like loon you should be OK.
 
munch said:
Narrow roads predominately single tracked with passing places. If you don't drive like loon you should be OK.
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I drive like an old woman on roads like that......it's the other folk i worry about at every bend :(
 
KIPAX said:
There doesnt seem to be one from Oban.... have another look later but cant see it ..
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You can get a ferry from Oban to Castlebay and work your way up the Outer Hebrides. Or just have a good wander around Barra - it's stunning and the airport (on the beach) is very cute.
 
KIPAX said:
I drive like an old woman on roads like that......it's the other folk i worry about at every bend :(
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The vast majority of the time there is no problem on single track roads. The locals are, obviously, experienced and almost always unfailingly courteous. Any problems are more likely to involve visitors who are not as careful as yourself.

Dave
 
Tringa said:
The vast majority of the time there is no problem on single track roads. The locals are, obviously, experienced and almost always unfailingly courteous. Any problems are more likely to involve visitors who are not as careful as yourself.

Dave
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And of the woolly bollards,(sheep) who’s traffic sense is nil.
 
mj4456 said:
And of the woolly bollards,(sheep) who’s traffic sense is nil.
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Have to disagree with you, at least a bit, Martin. Some sheep are doolally or stroll across the road with total disregard for anything, but most, I find, are pretty clued up and will sit on the verge as you whizz by.

Deer are something else. They seem to get startled very easily by a sound but then are just as likely to run (or even just trot) towards it, as away. :)

Dave
 
Never found a clear bit of road to whizz! (Except during rally time on closed roads)Mull is very pleasant and worth the time to visit, Nivea soft and gentle is quite effective as a midgie repellent.
 
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