There’s nothing more romantic than a scenic train journey – and the Caledonian Sleeper is one of the best. The overnight service whisks sleeping travellers from London to Scotland, where they wake up to lochs and mountains whizzing past the windows. Inspired to ride the rails? Set your sights on the pretty Victorian seaside town of Oban. Known as the gateway to the Outer Hebrides, it’s a totally charming destination in itself.
Admire the sweeping coastal vistas, walk to the atmospheric ruins of Dunollie castle, or stop kidding yourself and head straight for the whisky. Oban Distillery is a quick and fun intro to single malt. It also includes two samples of Oban’s finest. That’ll put a skip in your step for the rest of the day.
Book a table at Ee-Usk where they name the fisherman – or woman – that supplies each type of fish. The restaurant is wrapped with floor-to-ceiling windows, which means you can do a spot of wildlife-watching from your tables.
Oban has regular ferry trips to some stunning corners of Scotland. Wild coastlines and pristine beaches await at Mull, a beautiful island that’s a 45-minute boat trip from Oban. Nature-lovers can indulge in walks across unspoilt white sand, or head into technicolour fishing town Tobermory.
Stock up on handmade truffles from the Oban Chocolate Company. The Oban Whisky & Fine Wines Shop specialises in rare bottles and smallscale producers. As well as limited-edition whiskies, it stocks an impressive range of artisan Scottish gins – including a small-batch botanical one made in Oban itself. Slàinte!
Sea shanties and pints abound in The Oban Inn – a cosy old boozer with views over the harbour. The oldest pub in the town, it recently relaunched after being closed for nine years. Now, it’s popular with locals and tourists alike, and hosts regular jazz, folk and acoustic nights.
Settle in for a feast on the harbour. Oban Seafood Hut is the kind of no-frills hidden gem everyone wishes they could find on holiday. The tiny shack has alfresco shared tables, where diners sit elbow-to-elbow cracking fresh crab claws. It’s unbelievably cheap, too. Just beware of the seagulls. They have no fear.
Oban boomed in the Victorian era, leaving us with stunning waterfront buildings like the one the Perle Oban calls home. The grand hotel had a makeover recently, leaving the original features and adding a modern colour palette of sea blues. Pristine rooms offer the perfect sanctuary for resting tired feet after a long day exploring the coast. The huge sash windows give stunning views over Oban, meaning the lazy visitor could easily get away with seeing the Highlands and Islands from the comfort of their bed. Hey, no judgment. From £129 a night.
Banish any thoughts of tartan and bagpipes from your mind, and get stuck into Scotland’s real highlights
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