Oban Local Customs

This was part of a forum answer
I'd suggest getting the train from Glasgow to Oban, (A lovely view of Loch Awe, and Loch Lomond, especially if the weather is good, and you get from the airport in time, before the light fades) and consider staying at Jeremy Inglis Hostel, which is a bit of a legend, for its Very cheap accommodation, quirkiness, and fantastic home baked scones etc.

The room I stayed in had 3 beds - all complete with a cuddly animal!! Check out mine, and other VTers Oban pages - also www.hostel-scotland.co.uk for upto date prices etc on this and other hostels etc Since my visit, I think it's now £9.50 -10.50 including breakfast.
Oban and Cambeltown are the 2 main Distillery towns in Argyleshire. Glasgow offers the nearby Glengoyne distillery.

From Oban, you can get the ferry across to Mull,(visit the Tobermory (or Lediag) distillery - estab 1798!) then Iona, also a short boat trip from the harbour to see basking seals.

I'd also reccommend eating at the Ubiquitous Chip in Glasgow on your first evening - Quality Scottish food, locally sourced, and a great atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed my 2 meals here. I also enjoyed my fresh crab salad sandwich, from the kiosk on Oban Harbour.

Law has been passed in Scotland now which makes smoking in public places (ie bars and restaurants) illegal. For this reason, you will huddles of people standing around the entrances to bars having a quick cigarette. I am not sure about some of the other bars, but I do know that the Lorne has a beer garden which is covered overhead and heated, in which you can smoke. However, I wouldn't like to be out there when the midges start!

Years ago you couldn't cross to Ballachuilsh without the small ferries. Now they have build a road bridge with a footpath & gone is the romance of the Corries song about the River Gambler on the Ballachuilsh Ferry

Gaelic is still used in this part of Scotland. The English translation is "Tighan Truish" "The House of the Trousers" & "Puilladobhrain" "Anchorage" Scotland has a right of way policy which means you have the right to walk anywhere. This is controlled by the Scottish right of way & Access Society in Edinburgh.

Take yourself way back in time - a fair few centuries & imagine yourself in a small pub sitting on these old bar stools chatting over a brew or two. Wondering who may be listening to your Jacobite stories

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There were two little kiosks selling postcards & prints of the local area. Just walk in have a browse around. No one was there but on the table sat a little dish (please see me other picture) with coins in (mostly £ coins) select your postcard & just leave your money. Yes honesty is the best policy = I loved the trust!

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Sure seems like a strange way to transport your animals. As seen propped up against a shop window in Oban, two cute terriers in a basket on the front of a bike. Wonder if they have seatbelts!

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At the Glenco Visitor Centre the mountain names are carved out in Gaelic on the path as you walk out to the observation area. Am Bodach means The Old Man & A'Chailleach means The Old Woman.