Our children are 7 and 9, so I'm afraid most of the information here is suitable for them, as well as older children. Please let us know if you find something else that's particularly good with teenagers. One teenager staying here said she had a better holiday than going to Disney World.
We have recently discovered ‘geo-cashing’, which is a website listing places where geo-cashes are hidden. They have several things in them, and the idea is that you can take a ‘treasure’ out, and you replace it with another ‘treasure’. See www.geo-caching.com. Local places that have a geo-cache: Pulpit hill in Oban, Kerrera island near the castle, Sutherland’s Grove just past Appin. But you need to look at the web site for the GPS locations and to log on.
Loch Etive Cruise to see the seals.- 01866 822410
12.00 for 1.5 hour cruise up Loch Etive to see the seals and eagles. Adults £5, children £3, family £13. Or a 3 hour trip at 2 pm. Take warm, waterproof clothing even when the weather looks nice, and binoculars. There is an inside part with a bar for refreshments and snacks, and an outside top deck. Generally the boat trips run from just after Easter until the end of October. During May they only run the afternoon trip.
From our house, walk out of the gate, turn right down the track and right again when you meet the tarmac road. Continue to the end which leads to the far tarmac pier.
Inverawe Smokery -01866 822 446
See tea-rooms. Kids love it. Playpark and walks, with more play things round the walks as well. A walk up to the viewpoint is easily combined.
Oban SeaLife Centre - Benderloch - 01631 720 386 – www.sealsanctuary.co.uk
Lots of sea life seen from the side of aquariums, and also some outside. There's lots of fish, seals, otters, seahorse breeding centre, CLAWS etc. Tearoom, giftshop and outside assault course and baby swings. Prices 2006: £9.50 per adult, £8.50 concession, £7.50 for children 3-14. We have money off vouchers in our reception area, and you can pick them up in Oban on the reverse of parking tickets. In general they are open during the weekends in winter, and 7 days during the summer. Everyday there is the opportunity to watch seal and otter feeding and times when you can handle crabs and other sea creatures. One of our favourite haunts.
25 minutes by car. From Taynuilt turn right onto the A85, turn left in Connel signed to Fort William. Over the Connel bridge, through Benderloch, it is signed to your left.
Rare Breeds Farm Park - For those who used to know this, it is unfortunately now closed
Ganavan Beach - Oban
A sandy beach for exploring. Dogs not permitted.
25 minutes by car. From Taynuilt turn right onto the A85. Into Oban turn right at the first and second roundabouts, signed to Ganavan. The beach is a few miles down at the end of the road. The caravan site charges you to park.
Tralee Beach – Benderloch
Miles of clean sandy beach and shallow waters. This is where we tend to go ourselves. Dogs permitted.
20 minutes by car. From Taynuilt head for Oban on the A85. Before you come to Oban, take the turn off left in Connel signed for Fort William. This takes you round and over the Connel railway Bridge. Go through Benderloch, and turn left at the end, signed for Tralee Beach. After a mile there is an indisript car park on the right. Park here and walk down to the beach opposite, about half a mile walk. Alternatively, park in the village of Benderloch by the Lora Café, and follow the signs to walk from there to the beach. About ¾ mile.
Tralee Rally Karting – 01631 720 297 – I can’t find a website
At Tralee Beach. I’ve heard good reports but we’ve never been ourselves yet. Follow directionss above.
Going wild at Nevis Centre - Fort William 01397 700707 – www.neviscentre.co.uk
A ball park with slides, tunnels and bouncy castle, all indoors. This is expected to be only open at weekends from 2006 onwards, but typically £2 for an hour play, adults free. Brilliant fun.
1.5 hours by car. Drive to Fort William, take the ring road round the centre, along the water. At the next roundabout go straight on as for Morisson, next roundabout right as for Morisson, then past the Morisson turnoff, and the leisure centre is on your left. Parking just beyond. You pay at the bar in the entrance.
Mull Railway & Torosay Castle – 01680 812 494 – www.mullrail.co.uk
Impressive Mull narrow gauge railway line. The line runs from April to Oct. Lots of trains a day, but the following works all the time. Take the 10.00 ferry from Oban, walk at Craignure via the playground to the station (other side of bay) then take the 11.10 train departure. Return on the 14.10 from Torosay and for the 15.00 boat back to Oban, giving a pleasant short visit with kids. This railway was the basis for the Thomas stories, and is much used in the Balamory series.
Prices 2006 return, railway only: adult £4, child £3 (3-16), family £12
It is unclear to me whether there are any package deals this year for Calmac ferry from Oban, then railway, the castle entrance.
Tobermory Handmade Chocolate - 01688 302 526 - www.tobermorychocolate.co.uk
They are situated on the front of the Tobermory Bay, just east of the clock tower. To get to Tobermory, see your options in the Island Excursion section to Mull (Tobermory is Mull's capital, the prettiest fishing village on the West Coast).
What's the story in Ballamory
Every kid knows about Balamory. Well, it is filmed in Tobermory on Mull and you can see all the houses that the characters live in. Also all merchandise available! For how to get there see the Island Excursion section.
Tobermory is a lovely fishing village to stroll along. An Tobar is an Arts centre slightly up on the hill in a church that is worth seeing. There is a big playground on the west side of Tobermory, just after Josie Jump’s house on the left.
Atlantis Leisure Centre - Oban 01631 566800 – www.atlantisleisure.co.uk
Swimming pool, and soft play during the summer. Please check the opening times (also available on-line), particularly during term time. 2006: Adult £3.00, child £1.90, family £8, under 2 free for an hour's swim. Adult to child ratios more relaxed than other pools, please see website for policy. Soft play, £1 per child. Also rock climbing wall and playground outside. You can also eat or just have a coffee at Atlantis. We’re often around Atlantis ourselves, for our kids to swim, and Renate does some voluntary work for their Committee.
25 mins by car. From Taynuilt head right on the A85 to Oban. Coming down the hill into Oban, turn left where it is signed, then left at the next T junction. Turn right onto the car park. This is also Oban's free car park.
Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park – 01786 841 456 - www.safari-park.co.uk
Lots of wild safari animals. Adults £9.50, consessions £6. Open end March to 30 Sept 10.00 to 17.30.
1.5 hours drive. Turn left coming out of Taynuilt on the A85, towards Tyndrum. Turn right in Tyndrum to Stirling. Pass through Calander and pass Doune to the A84. It's on the left just before Stirling.