Day 26 - Barra to Oban

We were up really early to get the 07:00 ferry to Oban.  Our B&B had kindly left out lots of breakfast options for us.  

View from B&B at 5:30

It was a lovely sunny morning although rain was forecast for later.

Castlebay Harbour

We left 5 minutes early and the crossing to Oban was quite rough for the first couple of hours until we approached The Isle of Mull and then sailed down the the Sound of Mull which was really pretty with Mull to the west and the mainland of Scotland to the east.


Tobermory lighthouse, Isle of Mull

Tobermory, Isle of Mull

Ardnamurchan Headland on Scottish mainland

Calmac ferries have a bad name for cancellations and ferries breaking down but they have served us well for the past few weeks and each of our 6 sailings has been a really good experience. 

The first thing we did on arrival in Oban was to drive to Tesco where Paul bought underpants and socks and is now a happy bunny and we had confirmation that those he left behind have been posted and are on their way to Broughton Astley!

We took advantage of the Tesco 3 hour free customer parking and walked into the town as we had 3 hours before we could check into our B&B.  Oban was very busy with traffic and people and very touristic.  The sun kept coming out but there were always dark storm clouds somewhere. Fortunately it didn't rain until we were in our B&B in Ganavan.  There are lots of gifts shops, cafes and restaurants in the town centre and many companies offering boat trips to nearby islands. 


Oban harbour




Oban Cathedral

Houses in Oban

Entrances to ferry terminal

Quayside

Clock Tower

Black Guillemot on sea wall.  He wasnt bothered by passers by.

Same Black Guillemot in the harbour.  We didnt see any of these in Skye or Outer Hebredes.

Above the town there is a round, colosseum type building which is a folly build by local builder and businessman, John McCaig in the late 1800's.  It is now known as McCaigs Tower.

McCaigs Tower from the town

We drove to the car park and walked up the steps to the monument.  Inside the walls is a garden and access to a viewing area overlooking the town and nearby islands.

Entrance to McCaigs Tower

Inside the walls

Garden area

View from McCaigs Tower

Azaelea

House and garden next to the folly


Saw this on a motorhome and thought of Steph🤣

We checked in to our B&B and had a coffee and a rest before heading back into Oban for dinner at Wetherspoons.  The town was much quieter and very pleasant to walk around.

As we were leaving the B&B we saw a deer in the fields overlooking the sea. 

Deer in field at Ganavan

Evening view over the quayside








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