13 Facts About Oban

Oban is a resort town within the Argyll and Bute council area of Scotland.

Humans have used the site where Oban now stands since at least Mesolithic times, as evidenced by archaeological remains of cave dwellers found in the town.

The Renfrew trading company established a storehouse there around 1714, as a local outlet for its merchandise, but a custom-house was not deemed necessary until 1736, with "Oban being reckoned a proper place for clearing out vessels for the herring fishery".

Also at this time work on the ill-fated Oban Hydro commenced; the enterprise was abandoned and left to fall into disrepair after 1882 when Dr Orr, the scheme's originator, realised he had grossly underestimated its cost.

Oban was important during the Cold War because the first Transatlantic Telephone Cable came ashore at Gallanach Bay.

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Oban is considered the home of the Royal National Mod, since it was first held there in 1892, with ten competitors on a Saturday afternoon.

Oban has itself been used as a backdrop to several films, including Ring of Bright Water and Morvern Callar.

The distillation of whisky in Oban predates the town: whisky has been produced on the site since 1794.

Oban is known as the "Gateway to the Isles", with ferries sailing to the islands of Lismore, Colonsay, Islay, Coll, Tiree, to Craignure on Mull, to Castlebay on Barra and to Lochboisdale on South Uist.

Oban has an airport outside the village of North Connel, some 5 miles NE of the town.

The code for Oban Airport is and the only airline flying from the airport is Hebridean Air Services.

Oban has a primary school campus located in the south of the town along with Park Primary School at the north of the town, and a major high school, Oban High School.

Oban has a thriving martial arts scene, with karate, kick boxing, mixed martial arts, and boxing all available.