Oban Activities & Sightseeing

Glencoe, Fort William & Appin

Glencoe

There are numerous viewpoints along the magnificent Glencoe / Rannoch Moor road, too many to mention! However, I’m sharing the absolute best options below – but give yourself some extra time for spontaneous stops.

Glencoe Mountain Resort Chairlift

A fun way to get into the Glencoe mountains for a mini adventure without the hiking is the chairlift. Sadly, it's not Sophie-friendly, but a round trip takes you into the mountains and back down takes around 25 minutes. On the way, you’ll pass numerous waterfalls, experience some of the best views over wild Rannoch Moor and optionally jump off at the viewing platform. Tickets can be bought on the day at the ticket office for £18 per person.

Buachaille Etive Mòr and the White Cottage viewpoint

This is one of Scotland's most famous viewpoints. From here, you can experience the stunning views over Buachaille Etive Mòr (the great herdsmen of Etive) mountain. There’s a wonderful view down to the White Cottage, or you can follow the short and rocky trail to the cottage and river.

Glencoe Visitor Centre

The Glencoe Visitor Centre is busy, but it’s also worth visiting. The exhibition is great, and the reconstructed traditional Black House out the back is brilliant. It closes at 5pm.

The Meeting of Three Waters

A raging waterfall where run-off from three mountain streams meets. After heavy rainfall, this is a mini–Niagara Falls. The best part is above the waterfalls, where there are mini pools and waterfalls, as well as great views. Go over the low stone wall and follow the rocky path upwards. This is a little scrambly, so take care. And often boggy, so boots or wellies are a must!

The Three Sisters Viewpoint

This is one of Scotland's most famous viewpoints. From here, you can get close and personal with the Three Sisters of Glencoe—three outcrops of the Bidean Nam Bian mountain.

An Torr & Signal Rock forest walk

A beautiful and easy forest stroll with big views and river access for doggy paddles. Choose from multiple trails for a short or longer walk, and pop into the dog-friendly Clachaig Inn for a well-deserved drink, snack, and rest before returning to your car.

Eating options

For lunch, you have the option of Stiff Peaks in Glencoe. It’s easily one of the best patisseries/bakeries in Scotland. Alternatively, seafood shack Cuil Seafood serves boxes of locally caught scallops, mussels, and langoustines. Park at the Co-op car park for both. These are takeaway options, but there are plenty of places to park and eat.

For something a little more formal, head around Loch Leven to the Loch Leven Seafood Café. Their outdoor terrace is dog-friendly, and as you can imagine, dishes are based on local seafood.

Or eat in the above-mentioned Clachaig Inn, who serve hearty, larger plates of crowd-pleasing pub-grub.  

Fort William

Steall Falls & Nevis Gorge Walk

This fantastic forest/gorge walk to Steall Falls is a 3.5km (2.2-mile) round trip. The terrain is mostly easy, but there are a few challenging rock sections that require good footwear. You’ll find the OS Maps route here. 

Blas na Mara

There’s a fantastic seafood shack in Fort William. Park at the West End car park (pay & display), then walk along the waterfront and up to Blas na Mara (Taste of the Sea). If you’d like a coffee, cake, or light bite for the journey, then pop into The Kilted Camel. 

Banavie Locks / Neptune’s Staircase

Neptune’s Staircase is an amazing feat of engineering by Thomas Telford, a staircase of eight locks on the Caledonian Canal. Park at Banavie Locks car park.

Ben Nevis Viewpoint / Commando Memorial

A fantastic viewpoint of Ben Nevis and the Nevis mountain range, plus a memorial to fallen Commandos. 

Laggan Locks

A set of locks that join Loch Lochy and Loch Oich. There’s a small coffee kiosk and the quirky Eagle Barge further along the canal path. Lovely place for an easy stroll. 

Appin

Retrace your route and follow the coastal road to Appin. Visit the castle and plan a late lunch or dinner at one of Appin’s excellent eateries. Alternatively, plan dinner in Oban.

Castle Stalker & Jubilee Bridge

Castle Stalker is a tiny castle by the sea close to Appin. It’s famous for being in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. You can read its history here.

Park at the Jubilee Bridge car park. Follow the Jubilee Bridge, a narrow wooden walkway spanning the salt marsh, which was built in 1898 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

You can see Castle Stalker from the car park and bridge, but if you walk over the bridge and join the cycle path, you can get to the shore edge closest to the castle. Around 3km out & back if you go the full distance. Allow 15 to 45 minutes, depending on how far you walk. And you can find the complete trail in this OS Map route.

Eating options

Pierhouse Hotel (& Restaurant), Appin

One of the best places to eat (and stay) on the west coast, the dog-friendly Pierhouse Hotel restaurant is well worth considering for dinner tonight before you head back to Oban. Situated near Castle Stalker and overlooking the sea, the food is wonderful, and the rooms are cosy.

You can find dog-friendly rooms here. And the menu here. Dogs are welcome in the Ferry Bar and Lismore restaurant. 

Old Inn, Appin

For a delicious and hearty meal that’s perhaps a little less formal, the Old Inn is a charming option. Also dog-friendly, you can find their menu and booking information on Facebook.

Falls of Lora / Connel Bridge

When completed in 1903, Connel Bridge was the second-longest cantilever and suspended span bridge in Europe. Falls of Lora can be seen under the bridge at the mouth of Loch Etive. Walk down to the shore to get the best view. Use this car park and allow 10 minutes. 

Dunstaffnage Castle

A remarkably well-preserved castle built in 1240 by Duncan MacDougall. It’s £7.50 per adult to get inside. You can use the free Dunstaffnage car park and allow at least 25 minutes to detour and walk to the castle & chapel. More if you go inside.

Finally, return to Oban for the evening.