McCaig's Tower – Sunset Over the Bay and Supper by the Pier
A few hours, from Oban station and back.
The route
McCaig's Tower stands in a great ring of granite arches on the hill above Oban, and from inside it the sun goes down over the bay, Kerrera and the hills of Mull.
It's a short, steep climb from the station, and it's free and open at all hours. Afterwards, come down to the Railway Pier for a seafood supper at the Waterfront Fishouse.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Glencruitten House, a mile away.
Book the Waterfront Fishouse, Oban
Book a table at the Waterfront Fishouse online for about half an hour after sunset: dinner is served from 5.30pm to 9.15pm, and in summer, when the sun sets after the kitchen closes, book for 7pm and climb to the tower after supper.
The day
Oban
An evening above the town. Climb to the tower in the last of the light, watch the sun go down behind the islands, then walk down to the pier for a long seafood supper.
About three hours
McCaig's Tower
An attraction
It's a 16-minute walk from Oban station up to McCaig's Tower: along George Street and Argyll Street, then up Jacob's Ladder, 144 steps with a handrail, and on by Ardconnel Road to the gate. By car, there's a small free car park off Duncraggan Road, reached by Deanery Brae, with a short flight of steps up to the tower. It's free and open at all hours. Inside the ring of arches is a lawn, and the arches on the seaward side frame the bay, Kerrera and the hills of Mull to the west, where the sun sets. Be up there half an hour before sunset: from late October that's before 5pm, and before 4pm in December. There are no toilets at the tower. Not all the paths and steps are lit, so once the light goes, come down by the road, by Ardconnel Terrace and Craigard Road, which is lit, or bring a torch for Jacob's Ladder.
15 min on foot
The Waterfront Fishouse, Oban
Supper
Walk about 15 minutes down from the tower to the Railway Pier, where supper is at the Waterfront Fishouse, beside the station. It serves dinner from 5.30pm to 9.15pm: fresh west coast seafood, with small plates made for sharing. Book a table online for about half an hour after sunset, or ring 01631 567415.
If it rains
On a wet or cloudy evening there's no sunset to wait for: skip the climb, and go straight to supper by the water on the Railway Pier.
Photograph by waterfrontfishouse