Activities & Visitor Attractions
Things to Do Between Meals – and Still Get Stamps!
If you want to get out on the water around Oban you are spoilt for choice. Hire a kayak, take a ferry trip to Mull, try a scuba dive, charter a boat or take a thrilling RIB ride to see marine wildlife and stunning scenery. There are numerous operators of short tours and full day trips at sea – Coastal Connection operate a fast boat service and marine tours – they are offering Passport Holders £10 off for a family of four when you book direct. Have a look at our Activities page on www.oban.org.uk and make your own choice and see what else is on offer.
If you don’t have ‘sea legs’ there are several fishy options that keep you on dry land. The Scottish Sealife Sanctuary at Barcaldine Oban on the wooded shores of Loch Creran is a great place to visit with children and is both fun and educational. The Centre's huge doughnut-shaped herring ring was a major innovation when it was first unveiled 31 years ago, since then more than four million people have stood on the platform at its centre, surrounded by constantly moving silver fish. The Otters on the shoreline are a hit with children but there are other characters including Grumpy Gordy (a Snapping Turtle) and Arnie (a Giant Pacific Octopus)!
You can use your passport at the Seal Sanctuary (one stamp per visit) AND claim a £20 discount on a family ticket.
Inverawe Smokehouse & Fisheries near Taynuilt is a great day out for all the family. Visit the Smokery Exhibition and see an age old craft still in practice today! Enjoy wandering along the scenic walks and riverside paths or take the Nature Trail and spot some of Argyll’s abundant wildlife including Red and Roe Deer, Red Squirrels, Oyster Catchers and Seals. Inverawe Country Estate also boasts a fabulous produce tearoom and café where you can take a break and sample the best of Argyll’s home-baking and of course Inverawe’s very own Award Winning Smoked Fish. Passport holders are very welcome and you can claim a free cup of tea or coffee for two when you get your passport stamped.
Oban Distillery produces malt whisky of a world-wide renown. Highly rated by connoisseurs and one of the ‘Classic Malts’ collection, the whisky has a light tang of the sea on the nose and is malty and sweet. The distillery is open to visitors and its position at the centre of the town is due to its history. The Oban distillery was founded in 1794 by three brothers, Hugh, John and James Stevenson when Oban was little more than a fishing village. The town of Oban grew around it but it is still very easy to find as the stone Colosseum like structure – McCaig’s Tower – dominates the Oban skyline immediately above. Make sure you get your passport stamped at the visitor centre – there’s a lovely free whisky glass on offer for anyone who goes on the distillery tour. Take some whisky away with you as a perfect gift for those at home.
Whisky is the perfect iconic Scottish product, but if you are not travelling too far then local produce (including oysters) could be an unusual alternative. LORN (Local Origins Rural Network) run a producers' market the first and third Thursday during the year. Visit Kintaline Farm, Benderloch to stock up on all sort of local produce and local craft works. Oban Passport holders are very welcome.
