Visitor Attractions north of Oban in Argyll

Visit Appin – Stunning scenery & great walks 25 Miles North of Oban

Appin is located some 20 miles north of Oban and is a lovely stop off point for walking, enjoying lunch or dinner and taking in the spectacular views. Port Appin is situated north of Loch Creran, on the coast of Appin which looks across to the Island of Lismore. Castle Stalker, located on a small islet in Loch Laich was a superb defensive location. Built during the 15th century, it was the ancient home of the Stuarts of Appin and was the subject of recurring ownership battles between the Campbells and the Stuarts. It was purchased in 1965 by Lt. Col. Stewart Allward, who with the help of friends and family restored it over the course of 10 years to become fully habitable. Lt. Col Stewart Allward died in 1991. The castle is open to the public on certain days in 2008. Visit www.castlestalker.com  for more info.
 
Lismore can be reached quickly and easily from the Port Appin jetty. The Lismore is a passenger-only ferry running every hour Monday- Saturday (8am - 8pm summer sailings; 8am - 6.30pm winter sailings) in each direction, with a 2 hourly service on Sundays. There is also a small car ferry linking Lismore to Oban. This allows you to explore the island more easily but costs a bit more and has a less frequent timetable.
Appin is steeped in Clan Campbell and Clan Stuart history, and is certainly one of the West Coast’s most stunning areas of natural beauty. Well worth a visit!

Castle Stalker View Cafe & Gift Shop with one of the most idyllic views in Scotland. The perfect place to enjoy our freshly ground coffee & home-baking. Items on our menu include delicious home-made soups, toasted paninis & ciabattas, baked potatoes and salads, all freshly made to order. You can also enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with your meal. The shop stocks a wide range of items for the discerning tourist and local alike! You’ll satisfy your quest for knowledge of the Scottish culture with our selection of books, CD’s, art and photography while discovering the delights of Scottish produce in our range of food, beer and whisky. Handy outdoor gadgets, kids’ clothes, souvenirs, t-shirts and toiletries also feature. Come and enjoy beautiful views across the loch. Plenty of car parking on site. Family friendly and good disabled access. Open: March - October 7 days 9:30am - 5:30pm. November - December Fri - Sun 10:00am - 4pm. Closed in January. Appin, Portnacroish. Tel: 01631 730444 www.castlestalkerview.co.uk
 

Castle Stalker, located on a small islet in Loch Laich, was a superb defensive location. It also offered safe anchorage for the Chieftain’s boats. Built in 1540, it was the ancient home of the Stewarts of Appin. Today it is one of the most photographed settings in Scotland. The Castle can be viewed from A828 just north of Appin or from the road to Port Appin.
 

Scottish Sealife Sanctuary: Nestling in a mature spruce forest on the shores of beautiful Loch Creran, the Scottish Sealife Sanctuary enjoys one of the most picturesque settings in Britain and is home to some of the UK’s most enchanting sea creatures. In crystal clear waters you can explore over 30 fascinating natural marine habitats containing everything from Octopus and Sharks to Seals and Otters.

Learn about the conservation needs of seals and otters worldwide and at the same time, marvel at the antics of our resident otters.
Open from 10am daily
(check for winter closing times).
Ticket valid all day.
10 miles north of Oban on the A828 to Fort William Tel: 01631 720386

Ardchattan Priory. The priory was founded in 1230 by the Valliscaulian monks, their mother house being in Val de Choux near Lugny in Burgundy, France. The carved gravestones date from the 10th century. Historic Scotland provides explanatory plaques detailing the site. Open all year, free admission. Right turn off A828, 100m on north side of Connel Bridge, drive for 5mls; beside Ardchattan Gardens.
 

Memorial to Lord Nelson. Bonawe Iron Furnace produced the canon balls that were fired by the Royal Navy at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. We know that in 1781 the furnace produced some 42,000 canon balls for the Ordanance at Woolwich. The furnace men upon hearing of Lord Nelson’s death in 1805, erected a standing stone to his memory. The first of many such memorials in Britain. Monument located at the top of the lane that runs beside the village grocers in Taynult.
 

Falls of Lora. An extremely unusual phenomenon, a two directional sea waterfall, which reverses direction with each tide. The mass of water from Loch Etive is connected to the open sea by the narrow channel below Connel Bridge. Most impressive at mid-ebb spring tide, when outflow is over 20knots and whirlpools form. 10 mins north of Oban on A85 below Connel Bridge.
 

Inverawe Smokery, Fisheries and Visitor Centre: See a real working smokery and learn all about the traditional art of smoking fish. With viewing windows, celebrity video and working models. There's even a section on Inverawe House and its colourful past including its famous Ghost! There is so much to see for all the family. Start a life long hobby and learn how to fly fish! The four trout lochs offer a really good days sport for both the novice and experienced angler alike. Or just enjoy the beautiful scenery along one of the many walks or nature trails. Enjoy all the delicious smokery produce in the tearoom and shop. Open 7 days Easter to Christmas. 16 miles inland from Oban on the A85 at the Bridge of Awe. www.inverawe.co.uk. Tel: 01866 833808.

Cruachan Power Station: 'The Hollow Mountain' A gigantic  man-made cavern, 1km deep inside Ben Cruachan. The world's first high head reversible pumped storage hydro scheme. Experienced guides will escort you into this fascinating world. Visitor Centre includes a free exhibition, fabulous gift shop, lochside cafe and free parking. Open daily from Easter to October, 9.30am - 4.45pm. For winter hours (Nov - Mar) Telephone 01866 822618. North East of Oban on A85 before Loch Awe Village. www.visitcruachan.co.uk

Saint Conan’s Kirk. The architecture and design of this church are unique. Visited by people from all over the world.The Robert the Bruce chapel has a fragment of bone believed to be from Robert the Bruce’s tomb in Dunfermline Abbey. Well worth a visit. 25 minutes east of Oban on the A85, in the village of Lochawe on the banks of Loch Awe.
 

Kilchurn Castle. Home of the Campbell’s of Glenorchy. The initial building was erected circa 1460. The last alterations were made as a result of the 1689 Jacobite rising to accommodate three companies of troops. Possibly the oldest surviving barracks-block in mainland Britain. It was abandoned in the 1760s. There is a small unofficial car park beside the road between the turning to Dunoon and the bridge towards Loch Awe village.

Duncan Ban’s monument - Carragh - Cuimhne Dhonnchaidh Bhain. To the Glenorchay Gaelic poet, "Burns of the Highlands" born in 1724 near Inveroran. Large granite monument with 360 degree panoramic view of the spectacular scenery of this lovely area. 200m climb from road. Situated 1.4mls from A85 taking turn in Dalmally village, clearly sign posted from village centre .

Glencoe is synonymous with the massacre of the Macdonald’s of Glencoe by Government soldiers on 13th February 1692. The Campbells were held to be responsible and are blamed to this day. The Glen itself is spectacularly beautiful and visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. You will find a museum and memorial in the village.
 

Taynuilt. The village’s principle claim to fame is the Iron Foundry that was established here in 1752 due to the abundant supply of timber. It is said that all the canon balls fired by the Royal Navy at the Battle of Trafalgar came from the foundry. The work men erected the earliest of all monuments to Lord Nelson to commemorate his victory at the battle of the Nile. The cottages and houses of Taynuilt lie just off the A85.

Bonawe Iron Furnace produced up to 700 tonnes of iron per year from 1753 to 1876. The industrial heritage of the area is brought to life through a series of fascinating displays. An idyllic location close to the banks of Loch Etive. Founded by a Lake District partnership, this is the most complete charcoal fuelled ironworks in Britain. Displays illustrate how iron was made here in a beautiful lochside setting. Open to the public April to September. 2 mins from Taynuilt (12 miles north of Oban)

Dunstaffnage Castle. A fine 13th Century castle built on a rock with nearby ruins of a chapel of exceptional architectural refinement. Flora MacDonald was imprisoned here in 1746. Most of the grounds and gardens are suitable for visitors using wheelchairs or with limited mobility. Relax in the large grassed areas and take in the wonderful views. 3 miles from Oban, heading north. Follow signs at Dunbeg.
 

Poppies Garden Centre is nestled on the banks of the Firth of Lorne and has been designed with you in mind. Open daily, Poppies has ample free parking, well-stocked undercover plant area and a quality gift and card shop. The tearoom is the perfect place from which to enjoy stunning views and enjoy a freshly ground coffee, home baked scones and a wide range of delicious lunches. 3.5 miles from Oban on the A85. Tel: 01631 565781. www.poppiesgardencentre.co.uk

In Oban / Easdale & south Oban / Kilmartin Glen / North of Oban

The many attractions to visit north of Oban in Argyll