48 Hours in Oban: What To Do In Oban

We’ve been at Bonawe House for over 15 years and we’ve lived here with the charming bay and waterfront town of Oban just 20 minutes away (lucky us). If you’re coming to stay at Bonawe House Cottages (or anywhere else in the Oban area) and need a guide on what to do, what to see and where to eat out, here’s a 48-hour itinerary of things to do in Oban.

10:00am

To get your day off to a good start, we recommend visiting the Kitchen Garden at 14 George Street. This delightful coffee shop and delicatessen (open from 9am every day and 10:30am on Sundays) is a great place to mingle with the locals and grab a freshly baked croissant or morning bagel. Stay a while to people watch and don’t forget to browse their wide selection of herbal teas.

11:00am 

After breakfast, head North and take a leisurely stroll into the centre. It will take you less than 10 minutes to get to Laurel Road, where you can catch sight of the famous landmark of our little town, McCaig’s Tower. Built back in 1897, this monument sits at the top of a hill and is definitely worth the steady ascend to the top.

12:00am 

Whilst exploring the rest of our beautiful town centre, be sure to walk over to the waterfront. Here you will find a selection of seafront stores and souvenir shops. There are also plenty of places to grab lunch; we particularly recommend Oban Chocolate Shop for waffles and ice cream if you have a sweet tooth.

14:00am

Head back to Bonawe House after lunch, where you can enjoy our vast and extensive gardens. There are also some lovely short nature trails from Bonawe House if you have time.

18:00am

Oban is a seafood capital so booking a table at Eeusk is a must. Located on the harbour, this restaurant serves fresh fish and fantastic lobster dishes. Watch the sunset here before finishing your night at one of the harbour’s many pubs.

10:00am

In the morning, pack your camera and take a drive up to the village of Connel. Here you can enjoy breakfast at Poppies; they serve tea and coffee all day, plus toasted sandwiches, scones and a selection of cakes.

11:00am

From Connel, you are conveniently located just 5 minutes away from Dunstaffnage Castle by car. If you choose to walk to coastal route, it will take you over an hour.

12:00am

After exploring the beautiful Dunstaffnage Castle, head South (10 minute drive or another hour to walk) to the stunning Dunollie Castle. Take in the sights and explore the castle grounds, and don’t forget to visit the castle museum.

13:00am

Keep going South to Gallanach, stopping off in Oban for fish and chips (we love Oban Fish and Chip Shop on George Street) before catching the ferry from Gallanach to Kerrara. Spend the rest of the day exploring the island of Kerrara, including Gylen Castle. Make sure you don’t miss the last ferry back which sets off at 17:55.

19:00am

After returning to the mainland and freshening up for the evening, get a table at The Oyster Inn (book in advance on 01631 710 666) and order the mussels. The Oban sights are beautiful from here, so end your night here and don’t forget to try their extensive range of Scottish gins, micro-brewery ales and local whiskies.

If you fancy exploring the wonderful town of Oban, contact Bonawe House to find the perfect holiday cottage.