Anyone living in/ been to Oban recently?

[TheGander]

My french cousin is visiting us here in London and then he’s going off to visit Glasgow next week . Many years ago I went to Oban and really liked it ( the friendly youth hostel, the architecture, the general vibe and of course the seafood shack next to the CalMac ferry) . Is Oban still like that, or has it changed ( for the worst)? Apologies for the crude question, but I don’t want to recommend he goes there and then finds out it’s not what is used to be. Thanks for any information 🙏

Oban is really nice. There are a few more touristy things to do like the distillery or the chocolate factory.

some Really nice eating places around too. I’ve not been this year, but I was there last year. No issues.

Oban is lovely, would always recommend folk go there rather than Fort William.
😥
Once helped out a French family in a fish & chip shop in Oban who were baffled by the concept of a Fish Tea. The horror of drinking tea rather than wine with food became apparent, but they loved the fish.

Thanks for the reassurance guys and I’m smiling about the red wine. My cousin is just like that, he’d have red wine with curry/ fish and chips/ you name it. Great to know little Oban is still lovely 😊. Any further tips on things to see and do there gratefully welcomed!

Nories for the fish and chips!
A few good charity shops to browse!
There are some seats right at the peer to eat the aforementioned f&c!!

Thanks @Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet . Is there still a seafood shack at the ferry terminal?

There was in February and every time I have ever been over the years...
Assume it's still there!

A quick Google tells me yes it's still there!

Good news! I still daydream about that seafood. So hard to get fresh seafood in London unless you pay stupid money.

I live just outside Oban.
Green shack is still there (cash only), cafe at Dunollie castle is lovely and worth a visit and you can get to the cafe without paying entry, Sorcha bakery (only open Fridays and Saturdays) is great, Hinba cafe is good (there's one in Glasgow too). Kerrera is a nice day trip, ferry takes 10 minutes and there is a nice walk to Gylen castle, good cafe not far, great views.
Oban has changed a little but not much, trains are unreliable, better to book Citylink bus if relying on public transport to get here. Tourist season is in full swing and accommodation is expensive.

Thank you igneococcus for those tips, so happy about the green shack. I think my cousin will be hiring a car from Glasgow ( although I’ve heard it’s a beautiful train ride).

It is a beautiful train ride but the trains are really unreliable now. If you do need to be somewhere for a certain time it's better to take the bus (also nice views) although you can still get caught out in road closures when there is a serious accident.
If your cousin needs any other information let me know. Information Oban on FB is a useful resource too.

Thank you so much @Igneococcus . He’s booked his hotel and is definitely going . He’s not on a tight schedule so fingers crossed the train ride will be ok even if there’s a delay . An island trip eg Mull or Kerkerra will be a bonus and I think he’ll hire a car from Oban to drive up to the highlands for a day. Will report back on how the trip goes.

Just an update. Cousin really liked Glasgow ( went to Kelvingrove gallery, botanic gardens, found a good Italian restaurant and generally walked around). The train journey up to Oban was on a sunny day so scenery looked particularly beautiful. He didn’t love Oban as much as I did, I guess your feelings towards a place are personal. He didn’t find the seafood shack ( I was gobsmaked about that! Personally I’d walk 10 miles to find it). He joined a tour of Mull and Iona which he really enjoyed and was surprised at the amount of history on Iona ( for such a small place). Hired a car and loved St Conans Kirk and Glencoe ( the mountains not the village). Swam in a loch and generally was v lucky with the weather . Thanks again to everyone for the tips.

How can you not see the seafood shack??????? I suppose it's possible it was obscured by the crowd of people queueing. Iona is great, I haven't been for a while, should go again.
Kelvingrove is fab, I usually pop in when I'm in the vicinity just to have a look at the Dali.