Oban

Oban (( listen; 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.

In Oban, which is also known as "The Gateway to the Isles", some 9.4% of the population speak Gaelic.

Attractions in Oban include the Waterfront Centre, the War and Peace museum, the Chocolate Factory, the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary, the Cathedral of St Columba, the Oban Distillery, Dunollie Castle, Dunollie House, Dunstaffnage Castle and McCaig's Tower, which dominates the town's skyline. Oban is a convenient base from which to explore the sights of Kilmartin Glen.

The Oban Visitor Information Centre, operated by VisitScotland, is located on the North Pier in the Columba Buildings. It was re-located in early 2012 from the old Church of Scotland building in Argyll Square due to severe structural issues discovered in the roof of the building.