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Oban Advice??

Hi everyone,

I would like ask your opinion if you would be so kind as to give it. Does anyone know of this place -
Lochnell Arms Hotel , North Connel, Oban, PA37 1RP, United Kingdom ??

My friend and I are planning on staying here for a couple of days to see the sight in that area. I have read though that Oban isn't t as particularly a pretty or interesting a place as other locales. What do you think? Would you stay here (in this general location) or would you recommend a different location? My friend and I want to make the most of our time there and see as much of interesting and beautiful areas as we can. Here is our trip plans so far - Edinburgh, Oban, Kyle of Lochlash (Isle of Skye), Inverness(Tulloch Castle), and Stirling, all for a couple of days each. So would you recommend Oban as a good "stopping place" or can you recommend a better location? We will be traveling soon - 42 days until we leave :))))))) and I am finalizing our plans. As always, your advice and opinions are welcomed and appreciated!!!!

Thanks, Kathy

Posted by
971 posts

I liked Oban, though I only stayed for one night. It’s a nice town with good connections to the nearby Islands. However looking at google maps, the hotel you mention is not actually in Oban, but a few km’s north, right next to the small airport. That would not be my First choice.

Posted by
1692 posts

North Connel is not too far out of Oban and over a bridge on Loch Etive.

Oban itself is largely Victorian the centre is pleasant with McCaigs folly above. It serves as the gateway to Mull and Iona.
Nearby you have Dunstaffnage Castle and An Cruachan which is a hollowed out mountain that serves as a power station, tickets possible for visitors.

Posted by
233 posts

Hi!

Yes to the rental car. I'm not sure I want to stay close to a airport small or large :)) I may really have to look again for a place to stay.
I want to stay somewhere where we can easily see the sights and some out of the way places. I do also want to find a place where I can take a photo of a baby Highland "Coo" at some point in our trip :)) They look so cute from the images I've seen :))

Posted by
103 posts

Connel airfield is a tiny general aviation airfield that's mainly used by leisure flyers for in tiny Cessna's etc - and there not even that many of those most days. The only "scheduled" services are 2 or 3 flights a day to the islands on a tiny 9-seat propeller plane. As such I really wouldn't worry too much about being next to an "airport"!

Posted by
233 posts

Hi!

I went back and read more reviews about the hotel. Almost all were very positive and I also saw that we were very close to water. That is a plus!! The view didn't look to bad and it said it was only about 5 minutes from Oban. That ok too. It might be a keeper.

Posted by
288 posts

We spent 2 nights in Oban a year ago and liked it. It was close to the ferry to the islands and there are some pretty drives nearby. The Oban Distillery was interesting too. We thought it was a very pleasant little town right on the water.

I really liked Oban. It's a cute town to walk and a great place to buy rainwear. (regatta brand is good.). I like nature. We took a one-day boat tour out to see Lunga and Staffa. Lunga has the puffin breeding grounds and the boat trip is beautiful. Staffa has an impressive cave. We got lucky and had sunshine the entire afternoon and into the early evening. I will never forget that. We saw other birds, seals, fish. Just a gorgeous day out. (bring a day pack with lunch, a good raincoat. Optional: small binoculars or opera glasses)
If you don't take a boat trip out of Oban - you bypass so much natural beauty.

Posted by
233 posts

Hi all!

Thanks for the info!! I think we will stay put in Oban. And we are thinking about doing a boat tour too!!!

Thanks again,
Kathy