Oban (Argyll and Bute)

Lat:56.4110 Lon: -5.480

Oban is a town in Argyll and Bute.

It developed as a small fishing and trading village, with a small amount of shipbuilding and quarrying. Development of the modern town began with the founding of the distillery in 1794. Trade through the town increased and, with the introduction of steamer ships in the early 19th Century, the port grew busy. Whisky, wool, kelp and slate were all shipped from Oban, and busy trade routes to Glasgow and Liverpool were established.

The arrival of the railway in 1880 marked a major improvement in transport to the town, contributing to its growth as a tourist resort.

Oban continues to serve as a transport hub. It is known as the "Gateway to the Isles", with ferries sailing to Lismore, Colonsay, Islay, Coll, Tiree, Mull, Barra and South Uist. The town maintains important trade and tourist links with the Highlands.

Features of the area

• Town
• Coast
• Harbour

Argyll and Bute Group

Argyll and Bute is one of Scotland’s 32 unitary council areas. Its administrative centre is in Lochgilphead.

It covers the second largest administrative area of any Scottish council and is bordered by Highland, Perth and Kinross, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire.

Elsewhere on the BBC

• BBC Glasgow and West Scotland

Elsewhere on the web

• Wikipedia entry on Oban
• Argyll and Bute Council: Libraries and Archives