Oban
Oban (An t-Òban in Scottish Gaelic meaning The Little
Bay) is a resort town within the Argyll and Bute council
area of Scotland. It has a total resident population
of 8,120. Despite its small size, it is the largest
town between Helensburgh and Fort William and during
the tourist season the town can be crowded by up to
25,000 people. Oban occupies a beautiful setting in
the Firth of Lorn. Oban Bay is a near perfect horseshoe
bay, protected by the island of Kerrera, and beyond
Kerrera is Mull. To the north is the long low island
of Lismore, and the mountains of Morvern and Ardgour.
Attractions in Oban include the Waterfront Centre, the
Cathedral of St Columba, the Oban Distillery, Dunollie
Castle, Dunstaffnage Castle and McCaig's Tower, which
dominates the town's skyline. Oban is an excellent base
from which to explore the sights of Kilmartin Glen.
The Oban Tourist Information Centre, operated under
VisitScotland, is located in the centre of the town
in Argyll Square. It is housed in an old Church of Scotland
building. In 2004, the Oban Tourist Information Centre
was second to Edinburgh as the busiest Tourist Information
Centres in Scotland.
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