Oban

[deflatedbirthday]

Hoping for some recommendations 😊

We are spending the October half term a little north of Oban in a static caravan/ lodge type set up. There will be me, DH, DSD (11), DSS (7), my mum and my step dad.

We have the full week.

We're planning to look at a boat trip, the Ben Nevis Gondala and a drive to Eileen Donan.

What would other people recommend in the area? Particularly for the kids.

Thanks!!

You could get the ferry to Mull and visit Tobermory (Balamory). A trip to the hollow mountain might be interesting.

If you like seafood I highly recommend both of these places:

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/oct/18/ee-usk-and-oban-seafood-hut-restaurant-reviews

I was going to say Mull and Iona. Calmac ferries run from Oban to Craignure on Mull. You drive off the ferry and turn right and follow the road to Tobermory (takes about 45 minutes depending on what you meet on the single track/passing place bit) or left and down the island to Fionphort to the ferry that takes you to Iona.

The Scottish sealife sanctuary and Cruachan www.visitcruachan.co.uk/the-experience/

The Sealife sanctuary closed down a few years ago.

Mull definitely. How old are the kids?

Sorry just seen the ages! Yes Mull Is lovely.

Glen Coe is worth a look as well...

Thank you all for the suggestions!

If anyone loves locally to Oban and knows of any Halloween events going on that week we'd love to know!

Don't want to repeat what others have said but just wanted to say Oban is lovely! You'll love it!

Be very careful about relying on CalMac for anything. The entire fleet is very old and this year there have been large numbers of breakdowns, leaving people stranded.

Ahh my hometown 😁 The sealife sanctuary around Loch Lomond area is still open, it's the one in Barcaldine that closed down.

There's a nice playpark outside the swimming pool, the pool has a decent flume and a soft play. There's a good hillwalk in Barcaldine called Sutherland's Grove. It has a nice atmosphere and very picturesque. If bringing bikes there's a cycle track which goes from Lora View, past the airport and I'm sure it goes pretty far past a lot of the small villages.

Ben Lora Cafe in Benderloch does amazing scones but not sure when they close for the season. Hawthorn restaurant in Benderloch does lovely steak pie and has a kids menu, book in advance though. Tralee Beach in Benderloch is good for a wander. The Chocolate Shop in Oban does amazing hot chocolate but it's takeaway only now, though seats and tables are there to sit at - they just don't do table service. SO MANY NICE CHOCOLATE GIFTS.

Roxy's cafe in Oban has a fantastic selection of cakes, always.

Maccaigs Tower in Oban is free and worth a wander if just for the view.

Cinemas in both Oban and Fort William. The Granite House is the best gift and toy shop in Fort William, so much stuff!

I love the cycle track in Benderloch for a walk. It's also nice to walk up the Keil Road in Benderloch and up to the Black Castle, though Castle not open to walk around, think its a b&b now. But views are nice just past the castle. No pavements there though.

The View in Oban often hosts a Halloween party

You could temporarily join the 'Information Oban' group on Facebook, the locals will help you out too. I'm still living in the area.

@Bonnie386 thank you so much! This is excellent! Very much appreciated. We are so looking forward to our week!

I'm not on Facebook but I'll see if DH will join.

There’s so much to do in this area. In addition to what people have already suggested, you could visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct where the Harry Potter express was filmed. Beautiful landscape nearby. If your DSC are interested, go to Easdale Island where the world stone-skimming championships are held and try to beat the record. Drive on the Bridge over the Atlantic to Seil then take the passenger ferry to Easdale. For adults, there are several nearby distilleries worth visiting. Lots of wildlife including otters, golden and white-tailed eagles plus dolphins and even basking sharks seen from boats. The red deer will be rutting. Make sure the children watch hillsides and loch edges for wildlife on road trips.
Best of all, find a favourite beach and spend time there.
The Oban Tourist Office will know of hallowe’en events.