Bagging Scotland

The art of "bagging" castles is best experienced by embarking on one of the hundreds of walks – coastal, forestry or munros that the west coast of Scotland is famous for.

The west coast has something for everyone, although understandably best known for its coastal walks. A perfect example of this is the Strath of Appin to Port Appin walk. This walk makes use of part of an old railway line and crosses the old wooden footbridge over Loch Laich where you have breathtaking views of the famous Castle Stalker. It is 2½ miles of beautiful scenery that is perfect for younger children!

For the more adventurous but equally rewarding, we have many "munros" that can be bagged. In Scotland, mountains that measure 3000+ feet are referred to as munros. There are 284 Munros in Scotland but Ben Cruachan is the highest point in Argyll & the Isles. Bagging this munro is a challenge for enthusiastic walkers but the breathtaking views and scenery are extremely rewarding. For those less able, closeby is Fearnoch Forest which is 11 miles outside of Oban and offers a diverse outdoor experience. It's enchanting ancient forest is well worth an explore, as well as the modern views of a huge windfarm hidden in the hills.

Argyll & the Isles is an area of staggering natural beauty with a wonderful choice of landscapes that are walkable in a day visit or over a longer period.

For more info: http://walking.visitscotland.com/walks/argyllisles/

Diving for cover!

Well oh well, we all dived for cover this week as we encountered another severe weather warning. However, it has come to our attention (from a reliable source), that many of our followers have opted to use the internet to check out the images of a stormy West Coast of Scotland.

Regardless of the stimulus, a spike in online visitors is positive.....but, the coastal regions of West Coast of Scotland must be mindful that the famous bad weather had a hand in creating an abundance of ship wrecks in the area. In fact, the area is increasingly popular as a diving destination as it is blessed with a diverse eco-system and boasts diving conditions to suit every diver.

The Puffin Dive Centre, on the outskirts of the Oban, provides training courses throughout the year. All essential equipment can be hired, including wet and dry suits, and there are many boats available to take you to all the local wrecks and scenic dive sites. For instance, the 'Breda' sank in the deep sea of Ardmucknish Bay. It sits upright on the seabed and is a popular site for divers . The magnificent ship, still in tact other than a missing propeller, is covered in starfish and crayfish and it's original cargo can still be seen. Another, the Swedish Steamer 'Hispania' hit a reef during a storm and sank in the Sound of Mull. The wreck acts as an enjoyable site for divers and is home to sponges, fish and anemones. There are many beautiful wrecks in the Sound of Mull area at shallow depths, such as the 'Shuna', or the more demanding 'Rondo'.

Diving the West Coast is increasingly attractive due to the variety of reefs, drifts, wildlife and wrecks and we hope the formation of unique reefs, marine species habitats will enrich the experience of diving (whatever the weather!)

West Coast Seakayaking

Sea Kayaking around Oban is becoming increasingly popular. We have our a number of shops and businesses catering for those wishing to explore our sea-lochs and islands. For instance, 'Sea Kayak Oban' - where you can hire kayaks and equipment, couldn't be situated in a more convenient position. 50 meters walk to the beautiful harbour, it's ideal! You can head off from there for a paddle into the Oban Bay but you also have the option of taking your kayak to one of the many idyllic surrounding islands. Plus, it's not uncommon for kayakers to have the pleasure of witnessing some of Scotlands finest wildlife right here in Oban Bay - seals, otters, dolphins and numerous species of birds.

In & around town, we have many other providers such as Outside Edge, Stramash (great for families) and also Seafreedom Kayak based in Connel.

For the more advanced kayaker there is the Falls of Lora 5 miles north of Oban, under Connel Bridge, or the breathtaking Corryvreckan whirlpools, approximately 15 miles south of the town.

This weekend the town hosted the second 'Oban Sea Kayak Race' - a challenging and fun event for both single and double sea kayaks. A demanding route exposed to challenging waters around the Isle of Kerrera, makes for a memorable event. The race covers a distance of around 20km of sheer fun!

Please get in touch if this sparks your interest as regardless of your experience, we can help make recommendation to best suit.