McCaig's Tower
The granite ring on the hill above Oban, a banker's monument left unfinished in 1902, now a garden with views to Mull.
McCaig's Tower is the great granite ring on Battery Hill above Oban, and it is the first thing most people notice as the ferry comes into the bay.
Visited and photographed by Jack Cairney
It was built for John Stuart McCaig, a native of Lismore who became a successful banker in Oban with the North of Scotland Bank, and work began in the late 1890s, when he was in his seventies. It had two aims: to give work to the town's masons through the idle winter months, and to stand as a lasting monument to his family.
The ring is some 200 metres round, with two tiers of lancet arches one above the other, and it cost McCaig around £5,000. He meant to finish it with a museum and art gallery inside, or a central tower, but he died in 1902 and only the outer wall was built. The inside is now a garden, open to all, and the views through the arches over Oban, Kerrera, Mull and the Firth of Lorn are among the best in town.
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The tower is on Battery Hill above the town centre, reached on foot by steep streets and steps, or by car to the hillside parking.
The garden is open at any time and free.
- Open
- Any time; free.
- Getting there
- On foot from the town centre, or park on the hill.
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Add your reviewBattery Hill, above Oban.
ObanThe west coast's busy little capital on a horseshoe bay, the Gateway to the Isles, with McCaig's Tower above it.Under a mile 1 min by road
Ee-UskA seafood restaurant on Oban's North Pier, run by the MacLeod family, with local shellfish and windows over the bay to Kerrera and Mull.Under a mile as the crow flies
The Rockfield CentreUnder a mile 2 min by road
Sorcha Bakery, ObanUnder a mile 3 min by road
George Street Fish, ObanUnder a mile 3 min by road
Dunollie Museum, Castle and GroundsThe MacDougalls' castle ruin on its cliff above Oban Bay, with a museum in the 1745 House, woodland grounds and a café.1 mile 5 min by road
Places to stay near the tower, and when each is next free.
The Drury- Sleeps 22
- In Oban
- Under a mile from McCaig's Tower
Glencruitten House- To stay
- In Oban
- A mile from McCaig's Tower
Uisge Bothy- Sleeps 2
- In Oban
- 4 miles from McCaig's Tower
Beatha- Sleeps 2
- In Oban
- 4 miles from McCaig's Tower
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