Oban was one of the first places people told me to travel when I moved to Scotland. They say the town itself is charming, easily accessible by public transport, and there’s a lot to see in the area.
They are all fine!
The town of Auburn was founded at the end of the 18th century. Its name comes from the name of Auburn in Scottish Gaelic, that is, An t-Òban, which means “little bay”.
Oban is known as the “Gateway to the Isles” because of its role as the main ferry terminal to Scotland’s many western islands.
You can also easily head north to Fort William, or south to South Argyll, one of my favorite parts of Scotland and one that I think is vastly underrated.
In Oban itself, you’ll find one of Scotland’s oldest whiskey distilleries, the Oban Distillery, established in 1794, and the famous landmark, McCaig’s Tower. But I will detail the sights there soon!
Auburn is also a popular destination for seafood lovers, with its proximity to the coast offering plenty of fresh seafood, including scallops, langoustine and lobster.
so…
Is Auburn worth visiting?
Yes, Auburn is definitely worth a visit! It’s a beautiful coastal town with a rich history and plenty to see and do.
The town itself sits charmingly around the harbour, with colorful buildings and stunning views of the islands across the bay, awaiting your visit.
Oban is also an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area, including the nearby islands and attractions such as Kilchen Castle and Kilmartin Gorge.
As well as great seafood, Oban is also known for its lively bars and delicious restaurants, making it an ideal destination for foodies and travelers looking to experience authentic Scottish hospitality.
Auburn Attractions
Here are some of our favorite things to do in Auburn.
walk downtown
Explore Auburn’s quaint streets and lanes, filled with colorful buildings, charming shops and restaurants.
Visit McCaig’s Tower
This famous landmark in Oban offers stunning panoramic views of the town and surrounding islands. It was built by a wealthy banker in the late 19th century as a monument to his family and to provide work for local stonemasons during times of economic hardship.
Attend the Auburn Winter Festival
The Auburn Winterfest usually takes place in late November. It’s a festive celebration of the town’s culture and heritage, with music, food and art events.
Visit the Auburn Chocolate Company
Opened in 2003, this local chocolate shop has become an Auburn institution. They produce their own chocolate using the finest Scottish ingredients. There is a shop and cafe to enjoy.
Hike to Pulpit Hill
Popular mountain walk in Oban with stunning views of the town and surrounding area. It takes about 20 minutes to walk up the steep hill.
If you prefer, you can continue to Gallanach (approximately 2 hours) and return by bus or walk back to Oban.
Visit the Auburn Distillery
One of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, around 229 years old, the whiskey making process has barely changed in that time! They offer guided wine tastings and full winery tours.
Explore Dunoli Castle
This historic castle sits on a rocky outcrop just a short walk from downtown Auburn.
Wildlife boat tour
Auburn is known for its abundance of marine wildlife, with several companies offering boat tours to see whales, dolphins, seals and other marine life in their natural habitat.
go island hopping
Oban is known as the ‘Gateway to the Islands’ with regular ferry services to the nearby islands of Mull, Iona and Staffa. There are also tours that can take you to multiple islands in one day, or visit places like Fingals Cave on Staffa Island. If the season is right, you’ll most likely see puffins!
Visit the Auburn War and Peace Museum
A fascinating museum documenting the town’s military history and beyond. This is a small endowed museum that provides insight into Auburn’s local history.
Lake Linney Boat Tour
Experience the natural beauty of one of Scotland’s most famous lochs, with its calm waters, rugged mountains and abundant wildlife.
Puffin Dive Center
A popular dive center just outside of Oban that offers a range of courses and dive excursions including wreck dives and night dives. They also offer paddle boarding and tasting scuba diving lessons, no experience required.
sea kayaking
Auburn is a popular destination for sea kayaking and has even been voted one of the best places in the world for kayaking. Several companies offer guided tours and equipment rentals for exploring the coastline and nearby islands.
Things to do near Oban
Here are some of our favorite places to visit near Auburn, along with approximate drive times.
Kilmartin Glenn
A historic valley, about 30 minutes’ drive south of Oban, known for its many prehistoric monuments, standing stones and burial cairns.
Kilchen Castle
A stunning castle ruin on the shores of Loch Awe, about 30 minutes’ drive from Oban.
Dunstaffnage Castle
A picturesque castle on the shores of Loch Etive, just 15 minutes’ drive from Oban, dating back to the 13th century.
Bonneville Iron Smelting Furnace
A historic iron furnace, about 20 minutes’ drive from Oban, offers insight into Scotland’s industrial heritage.
Day trip to Glencoe
This is a stunning gorge, about 45 minutes’ drive from Oban, known for its stunning scenery and rich history.
historic kilbride
A small village near Oban with several historic sites including Kilbride Church and Kilbride Castle, both dating back to the 15th century. The village of Kilbride is approximately 30 minutes’ drive south of Oban.
Ghanawan Sands
The beautiful sandy beach just outside Oban offers stunning views of the bay and plenty of opportunities for beach walks and wildlife viewing. The beach is about 10 minutes’ drive north of Oban.
Achaten Abbey Gardens
A historic abbey near Oban with a beautiful walled garden dating back to the 13th century. The gardens are approximately 20 minutes’ drive northeast of Oban.
Castle Stalker
A picturesque castle on an island in Lake Lech, just a short drive from Oban. The castle dates back to the 14th century and is a popular photo spot. It’s about 25 minutes’ drive south of Oban.
dog rock
A unique rock formation near Oban said to resemble a dog has been the subject of many local legends. The formation is about a 15-minute drive southeast of Auburn.
Glencrutten Cathedral of the Trees
A stunning tree-lined avenue just outside of Auburn, known for its natural beauty and peaceful ambiance. The tree-lined avenue is about a 10-minute drive northeast of Auburn.
There are five locations that can be reached by ferry from Oban:
mull isle
The ferry from Oban to Mull takes approximately 45 minutes. The main town on the Isle of Mull is Tobermory, which is regularly voted one of the most beautiful towns in Scotland.
The Isle of Mull is the second largest island in the Inner Hebrides and has a lot of beautiful scenery to enjoy and explore. Duarte Castle and Tobermory Distillery are also popular destinations.
The island of Iona, famous for its ancient monasteries and convents, is easily accessible from Mull.
cole i.
Cole is a remote island, about two hours by ferry from Oban, known for its pristine beaches and stunning scenery. This is unspoiled Scotland indeed!
Tiree Island
About a three-hour ferry ride from Oban, the windswept island is known for its world-class windsurfing conditions and stunning beaches.
Barra Island
A remote island in the Outer Hebrides, about five hours by ferry from Oban. It is also known for having the only airport runway in the world that is permanently located on a beach.
islay
Known as the ‘Queen of the Hebrides’, Islay is known for its whiskey distilleries, stunning scenery and rich history, and is about three hours by ferry from Oban.
Tours from Oban
When people ask me where in Scotland they should visit, I often recommend Oban as a base, as it’s a great place from which you can explore many things that people consider quintessentially Scottish!
island tour
Oban is a popular departure point for trips to the nearby Isles of Mull, Iona and Staffa, known as the “Three Islands Tour”.
These trips usually include ferry or cruise ship transportation and offer opportunities for sightseeing, hiking and wildlife viewing. Check out West Coast Tours and Staffa Tours.
Staffa Island and Fingal’s Caves is another popular boat excursion from Oban, especially during puffin season around April to August.
wildlife tour
Several companies offer wildlife tours from Oban, taking visitors to places where they can see a variety of wildlife, including whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds.
Some popular places for wildlife tours include Lorne Bay and Corryvreckan Whirlpool. Visit Sea Life Adventures and Auburn Sea Kayak Tours.
history tour
Auburn and the surrounding area are rich in history and there are several tours available to explore the area’s historic sites and landmarks.
Some popular historical tours include visits to Kilchen Castle and Kilmartin Gorge. Try Tartan Tours Oban’s historical tour of local attractions, or Audley Travel’s Kilmartin Glen day trip.
We love Auburn and we know you will too!
Sonya x
