History

For much of its history, the area around Oban was a quiet shoreline, dominated by the ancient fortress of Dunollie Castle, the seat of the Clan MacDougall. The modern town owes its existence to the founding of the Oban Distillery in 1794, which was established before the town itself really existed. Its growth was accelerated by the arrival of the steamships and, later, the railway in the 19th century. These new connections transformed Oban into a fashionable Victorian resort, a vital hub for trade, and the primary launching point for travel to the Western Isles.

Its strategic location on the west coast also gave it a significant role during the Second World War. The bay was a base for the Royal Air Force's flying boats and hosted thousands of Allied service personnel.