Oban Explorer - a town walk

Summary

Oban is renowned as the Gateway to the Isles, but this bustling town is well worth exploring in its own right. This route explores the centre of the town, taking in the promenade and seafront villas. It also climbs up to two superb viewpoints, taking in the dramatic landmark of MacCaig's Tower, and the magnificent panorama from Pulpit Hill.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Roads and pavements, also many steps.

Public Transport

Oban is well served by buses and also has a railway station.l.

Start

North Pier, Oban. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.75km / 3.5 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 150m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NM857301

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

The walk is described from the North Pier at the centre of Oban (which has a pay and display car park) but can be picked up from any point in the town. The North Pier has the tourist information centre and the Columba Hotel as well as Ee-Usk - one of the restaurants that has led Oban to gaining its reputation as Scotland's Seafood Capital. Begin the walk by heading northwards along the promenade. To your right are the characterful old hotels and seafront buildings, whilst to your left the almost constant ferry boat traffic sails in and out of the bay, with the island of Kerrera and its Hutcheson monument beyond.

Stage 2

Continue along the promenade past the roundabout, and St Columba's Catholic Cathedral. The front continues past further grand Victorian villas - now mostly hotels and guesthouses. It is worth continuing as far as the war memorial; just beyond it are some benches set in a grassy area with views to Dunollie Castle a short distance further up the coast.

Stage 3

Tours are available of Dunollie Castle together with its neighbouring museum and grounds - and could be included via a detour. Otherwise, retrace your steps along the promenade, past the roundabout once more into the centre of town.

Stage 4

Before reaching the North Pier, turn left up an alleyway between the Oban Times building and the Art Deco-style Regent Hotel. The Oban Times building now houses the town's War and Peace museum. The alley emerges on George Street - Oban's main shopping street. Turn right briefly along this, and then left onto Craigard Road. When this forks, take the right branch which heads steeply uphill.

Stage 5

Keep on the walkway by the railings as the road bends right - ignoring a branch to the left. Emerge at a junction with Ardconnel Road, with MacCaig's Tower visible up above the houses. Go straight across the road, taking Laurel Road opposite. This leads up to a parking area behind MacCaig's Tower. Turn right into this and climb up the steps to visit the monument.

Stage 6

The tower - also known as McCaig's Folly - was intended to act a lasting monument to his family by the architect John Stuart McCaig, and to provide work in the winter. It was based on the Colloseum, and was planned to contain a museum and art gallery, but this was never built following McCaig's death. Pass through one of the archways at the bottom of the monument to exit onto a viewing platform that has a great overlook over the town.

Stage 7

Return out the top of the monument, but when you return to the top of the steps bear right down the ramp to join Duncraggan Road. Turn right down this, then right again onto Ardconnel Road to return to the junction reached earlier. This time turn very sharply left onto Arconnel Terrace. There are views down over Oban's distillery, which is in the very heart of the town. Look out for some steps heading down to the right - turn down these - known as Jacob's Ladder. When they emerge onto a tarmac road turn left then immediately right to regain Oban's seafront. This time, turn left along the front, keeping right by the waterside to eventually bear right of McCaig's Warehouse and along the harbour front beside the fishing boats.

Stage 8

Continuing along the front, the route now leads through the main Calmac ferry terminal. Follow the pedestrian walkway through this, passing under the ferry entrance bridges and past the modern terminal building. It is important to keep on the signed pedestrian walkway through the ferry traffic queueing area, as traffic can be busy. Eventually a road is reached at the far end - with signs for Gallanach to the right and the town centre to the left. Instead go straight across and head up a path which climbs to the left. When this meets another road, go straight across again up the steep ramp. Go right when this emerges on a road, which immediately bends sharply left, then take the next lane on the right, still uphill. Finally go straight across at a junction and then immediately turn right up a path beside the bus stop. The path leads up beside houses before bending left and emerging onto a grassy area. Turn right to head up past a stone to the highest point.

Stage 9

This is Pulpit Hill - and enjoys a truly stunning view over the whole town and its bay. There is a view indicator and plenty of benches. After you've enjoyed a well-earned break from the climb, head back the same way down the hill and through the ferry terminal to return to the centre of Oban.

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