| Oban and Argyll in Scotland is the perfect place for a | | | | with Dunure where the Oban-Mull ferry pulls in. |
| short break, holiday or a day out exploring. Lying on | | | | Local Seafood |
| Scotland's west coast, this scenic area is only a two | | | | The West Coast of Scotland is famous for the |
| hour drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh. From walking | | | | exceptional quality of its seafood and is in high demand |
| and hiking to ambling round historical sites, from a round | | | | around the world. The fishing fleet in Oban specializes |
| of golf to loch, river and sea fishing, Oban and Argyll | | | | in catching scallops, langoustines, crab and lobster and |
| has something for everybody. It's also the ideal place | | | | land catches every day of the week except |
| to sample some traditional highland fayre, such as local | | | | Saturdays. They can be seen in action on Oban's |
| venison, fresh seafood, and a wee dram of whisky. | | | | South Pier between 6pm and 9pm Sun to Thurs and |
| Wildlife | | | | to 6pm Fri. Oysters are farmed in the clear waters of |
| The waters around Oban and Argyll are rich in wildlife. | | | | local bays, and the area is a favorite spot for scallop |
| The Firth of Lorn is a Special Area of Conservation | | | | diving. Lobster fishing is bountiful (some specimens |
| because of the wealth and variety of species. Marine | | | | weigh in at around 3kg!) just off the isle of Luing. |
| mammals such as basking sharks, minke whale, | | | | Walking and Hiking |
| dolphins and porpoise frequent deeper waters which | | | | The hills and mountains in the area are renowned for |
| are easily reached by boat. Common seal colonies, | | | | their ruggedness and breathtaking views. Because of |
| sea otters, deer and a huge range of birds including | | | | their close proximity to the coast, views from the |
| sea and golden eagles, gannets and guillemots are | | | | slopes and tops often include panoramic views out to |
| resident sights. As this is an important breeding ground | | | | sea lochs, islands and beyond to the Atlantic. The |
| for seabirds, rare birds such as the black-throated | | | | Scottish Rights of Way Society has signposted many |
| diver arrive in season. 24 different species of whales, | | | | routes making navigation easy. Around two dozen |
| dolphins and porpoises come to the area all through | | | | Munros (mountains over 3000ft) are accessible within |
| the year, but especially in the summer months. It is one | | | | around an hour's drive from Oban, with Glencoe and |
| of the richest areas in Britain to see cetaceans and | | | | the Nevis Range a little further afield. The closest are |
| they swim close to boats a short distance from the | | | | Ben Cruachan (1126m) at Loch Awe and Ben More |
| shore. In some places they can be sighted from the | | | | (966m) on Mull. |
| shore too. | | | | Fishing |
| The Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary lies a few miles to | | | | Salt and freshwater fishing is exceptional for both |
| the north of Oban. It is a center for seal rescue where | | | | seasoned and novice anglers. The nearby lochs and |
| injured, sick and stray seals and pups recover and can | | | | rivers stock trout and salmon, whilst the Sound of Jura |
| be viewed in the SOS seal rescue facility and nursery | | | | and surrounding waters offers everything from |
| area. There are daily talks and feeding demonstrations | | | | mackerel spinning to shark fishing! |
| by experts where the center's resident seals are | | | | The area is noted for large and specimen fish and has |
| introduced to visitors. Also on display are otters and a | | | | yielded many Scottish records. Loch Etive and the |
| huge variety of fish and marine life from local waters | | | | waters around Mull have seen record hake, angler fish, |
| that shoal and swim in a spectacular aquariums. | | | | streaked gurnard, spurdog, wrasse, and skate. In 1997 |
| Historic Sites | | | | a new European record skate was caught in the |
| Although Argyll has over 350 archaeological sites, the | | | | sound of Mull. Charter boats operate out of Oban and |
| most impressive historic site in the area is without | | | | are well-equipped, providing tackle and a wealth of |
| doubt Kilmartin Glen. 150 sites lie near to the village of | | | | knowledge of local marks. Deep sea wreck and reef |
| Kilmartin and date back 5000 years. There are | | | | fishing almost guarantees good catches of species |
| standing stones, carved rocks, burial cairns, ancient | | | | such as pollack, wrasse, cod, conger eel, dogfish, tope, |
| grave stones, early Christian crosses, and the Iron Age | | | | thornback rays, cod, ling and gurnard. |
| fort at Dunadd which belonged to the earliest Scottish | | | | Oban & Lorn Angling Club's "Hill Lochs" permit |
| Kings. Most of these sites lie in fields and moorland, but | | | | gives anglers the chance to catch wild brown trout in |
| the Kilmartin House Museum houses many Neolithic | | | | over 20 moorland lochs. Some are off the beaten |
| and Bronze Age artifacts such as stone tools and | | | | track, but most are easily accessible. Loch Awe lies a |
| arrowheads, an audio-visual display and offers guided | | | | short distance from Oban. It is one of the largest |
| walks. The area abounds with spectacular castles, all | | | | freshwater lochs in Scotland and provides great sport |
| of which are open to the public. Castles such as | | | | for rainbow and wild brown trout fishermen. The British |
| Dunstaffnage at Dunbeg, Camasserie near Kilmartin, | | | | record wild brown trout has been broken four times at |
| Dunollie at Oban and Barcaldine at Benderloch are on | | | | Loch Awe and currently stands at 25lbs. Spinning is |
| the mainland and all within easy reach of each other. | | | | permitted for trout and pike. Permits are available from |
| There are two spectacular castles on the Isle of Mull. | | | | the Loch Awe Improvement Association or from local |
| Duart castle, home to the Clan Maclean, sits on a | | | | shops. For rainbow trout there are two fisheries both |
| spectacular peninsula overlooking the Sound of Mull, | | | | of which are well stocked and "fly only". Inverawe has |
| Loch Linnhe and the Firth of Lorne. Famous for its | | | | a variety of facilities, including 4 lochs for anglers of |
| magnificent gardens, Torosay castle lies further up the | | | | different skills. |
| coast where a narrow gauge railway links the castle | | | | |