Oban and North Lorn

Oban is the unofficial capital of the Western Highlands, and the gateway to the Isles. The town is hugely popular with visitors, set around a fabulous natural harbour, sheltered from the westerlies by the Isle of Kerrera. The familiar white-and-red liveried Calmac ferries constantly plying to and fro from islands far and wide gives the town a special atmosphere.

Just a short distance from the hustle and bustle is the quiet, beautiful countryside. The coastline around is dotted with castles and pebbly beaches and repays exploration on foot. A little further north is the district of Lorn, where the high mountains of the Highlands come right down to the seaboard. Offshore is Lismore, a fertile island known as the Big Garden.

Glasdrum Wood, Loch Creran 1km 1 hour Port Appin circuit 2.5km 1 – 1.5 hours Jubilee Bridge and Stalker Castle, Port Appin 3.5km 1 – 1.5 hours Glen Nant Oakwoods, near Taynuilt 4km 1 – 2 hours Fas na Cloiche and the Fairy Bridge, Glen Creran 4km 1 – 1.5 hours Glen Dubh forest walk, Barcaldine 4.5km 1.5 – 2 hours Glen Duror forest 8km 2 – 3 hours Beinn Lora, Benderloch 6km 1.5 – 2.5 hours Pulpit Hill and Gallanach, Oban 7km 2 hours Ganavan and Dunstaffnage 7km 1.5 – 2.5 hours Hutcheson's Monument circuit, Isle of Kerrera 9km 3 – 4 hours Black Lochs circuit, Connel 10.5km 2 – 2.5 hours Gylen Castle circuit, Isle of Kerrera 11km 3.5 – 4.5 hours Beinn Fhionnlaidh 14.5km 5 – 6 hours Accommodation links for this area: Argyll Hotels and Inns Argyll B&B (Bed and Breakfast) Self catering cottages in Oban and North Lorn Argyll and Oban Hostels and Bunkhouses