Travelling to Oban, on the west coast of Scotland, is a joy. Around three hours by car, coach or train from Glasgow or Edinburgh, less than 2 hours from Stirling, the scenic journey is a memorable part of a visit to this bustling sea side town.

Oban is easily reached from Central Scotland by taking the A82 which skirts the west side of Loch Lomond. Then either via Tyndrum or follow the A83 over the 'Rest and be Thankful' through Inveraray. Both journeys take between 2 and 3 hours, although you may be tempted to stop several times to admire the scenery.

Oban is justifiably known as the Gateway to the Isles. The town's south pier is the embarkation point for car ferries to Mull, Coll, Tiree, Barra, South Uist, Colonsay, Lismore and Islay. From these islands you can travel further afield to Iona, Staffa and to many of the smaller less well known isles. And it doesn't stop there. A short distance from the south pier along the Gallanach Road is the slipway for the Kerrera ferry, and a pleasant drive south allows you to take your car, or bike, over the Atlantic by bridge to the Island of Seil.

Argyll is from the old Gaelic word 'Earraghail' which means 'coastline of the Gaels'. Then, the waters around Oban and Lorn were marine motorways transporting people and animals from islands to mainland. Now these same seas are a mecca for water sports enthusiasts with unrivalled sailing, sub-aqua diving, canoeing and sea angling.