Oban Ferries

Sorry, there is currently no available ferries on this route.

Oban is well-connected to Scotland's major cities, with regular train services from Glasgow taking approximately 3 hours through some of the country's most breathtaking scenery. From Edinburgh, travelers can drive via Stirling in roughly 3-4 hours or connect through Glasgow by train. The West Coast Motors bus network links Oban to various Highland destinations, with services from Glasgow taking around 3 hours. For those driving, the A85 provides the main access route with ample parking available near the ferry terminal, including long-stay options for island hoppers. The ferry terminal itself is conveniently located in the heart of town, just a short walk from most accommodations and the railway station.

Nestled in a perfect horseshoe bay on Scotland's rugged west coast, Oban lives up to its Gaelic name meaning 'little bay.' This charming port town serves as the unofficial capital of the West Highlands and the principal gateway to the Hebridean islands. With its spectacular seafront setting, framed by rolling hills and medieval ruins, Oban offers visitors a quintessential Scottish maritime experience where fresh seafood, whisky traditions, and island adventures converge.

Oban's maritime climate brings relatively mild temperatures year-round, though with the Scottish predictability of rain in any season. Summer months (June through August) offer the longest daylight hours, perfect for island exploration, with temperatures typically ranging from 15-20°C and more frequent ferry services to outlying islands. May and September provide excellent alternatives with fewer tourists but still reliable ferry schedules and pleasant weather. Winter visits (November through March) showcase a more authentic, unhurried side of Oban, though with reduced ferry timetables and some seasonal businesses closed. The town comes alive during the Oban Winter Festival in late November and the traditional Highland Games in late August, both worth planning your visit around.

Oban serves as the primary jumping-off point for exploring Scotland's stunning Inner and Outer Hebrides. The Isle of Mull, just a 45-minute ferry journey away, rewards visitors with colorful Tobermory, wild eagles, and the sacred Isle of Iona beyond. The 'whisky isle' of Islay can be reached in about 2 hours, offering world-class distilleries and sweeping Atlantic beaches. For a shorter excursion, consider the 'Slate Islands' of Seil, Easdale, and Luing, accessible in under 30 minutes and perfect for day trips. The remote beauty of Colonsay and Coll can be reached on longer sailings, offering unspoiled beaches and remarkable tranquility. Many travelers use Oban as the starting point for island-hopping adventures, creating personalized journeys through Scotland's diverse island landscapes.

Climb the steep path to McCaig's Tower, Oban's Colosseum-like monument, for panoramic views across the bay to the islands of Kerrera, Lismore and Mull. Sample the renowned seafood straight from the harbor at the green seafood shacks or award-winning restaurants like Eeusk, where freshly caught langoustines and oysters showcase the region's maritime bounty. Visit the Oban Distillery, one of Scotland's oldest and most compact whisky producers, located right in the heart of town for a taste of the 'West Highland' style of scotch. Explore the atmospheric ruins of Dunollie Castle, ancestral home of the Clan MacDougall, just a coastal walk north of town. The nearby village of Easdale offers a fascinating glimpse into Scotland's industrial past with its abandoned slate quarries now filled with emerald waters.

Despite its small size, Oban's harbor handles over 600,000 ferry passengers annually, making it one of Scotland's busiest ports. The town's iconic McCaig's Tower was commissioned by a local banker in 1897 to provide winter work for local stonemasons, though his death left the ambitious project forever unfinished. Oban played a crucial role during World War II as a base for Australian, Canadian and American seaplanes on anti-submarine patrols. The nearby tiny island of Staffa, accessible by boat tours from Oban, inspired Felix Mendelssohn to compose his famous Hebrides Overture after visiting its remarkable Fingal's Cave with its natural cathedral-like acoustics.