2 Days in Argyll & The Isles

Whether by ferry or boat there’s an amazing variety of trips to be made to wonderful places to see the very best of Argyll & The Isles local aquatic wildlife and scenery. 

Step onboard with Sealife Adventures for an exciting day of wildlife spotting. Keep your eyes peeled for whales, dolphins and even basking sharks while your friendly and knowledgeable guide will be on hand to entertain you with interesting facts and stories from notable shipwrecks to Viking legends.

You will certainly be in for a thrill with Seafari Adventures Corryvreckan Whirlpool Tour – the world’s third largest whirlpool, or if you fancy making all your friends and family jealous of your trip, Loch Visions Wildlife Photography Experiences will be able to help you out! Venture out and capture some of the best pictures of Scottish wildlife to spruce up your social media feeds.

You will certainly never go hungry when you visit Oban! Here you will find some of the finest seafood with a plethora of high-quality restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets with catch fresh off the boat from the harbour.

During your trip, why not stop off at Inverawe Smokery where you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to gourmet smoked Scottish fish? Come and watch the smokery in action, browse through the shop or sit back and relax in its stunning tearoom as you take in Oban’s everchanging scenery.

If you’re on the go and simply can’t get enough of Oban’s seafood delights, try out the Green Shack. You’ll find a selection of mouth-watering menu options including lobster, scallops, crab and much more. Enjoy dinner with a view at the award-winning Ee-Usk Restaurant where you will be treated to uninterrupted views to Kerrera, Lismore, and the mountains of Mull and Morven.

No trip to Oban would be complete without visiting Oban Distillery. Situated in the heart of Oban, take a tour and discover the history behind entrepreneurial brothers Hugh and John Stevenson who founded the distillery. With two tours to choose from, the bubbly and knowledgeable tour guides will take you through the craft of the seven men who make the Oban Single Malt. ‘Old Teddy’ is exclusive to the distillery and was inspired by the unique and personal stories of the Maclean family, who have served the distillery on Scotland’s west coast for three generations. 

With the west coast of Scotland being home to some of the earliest settlers in the country, it has a rich and interesting history with local castles and monuments providing facts and figures about the history of the region. Climb McCaig’s Tower where you will be faced with stunning panoramic views across Oban Bay to the Atlantic Islands. Visit Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel, one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland or head just north of Oban and step back in time to discover and explore Castle Stalker (currently closed to the public. Tours to resume in 2021), which belonged to the infamous Clan MacDougall.

When it comes to food & drink, you are always spoiled for choice when you visit Mull. With many of its restaurants, café's and attractions receiving numerous accolades, it’s clear that Mull takes great pride when producing its foodie delights to share with visitors.

Enjoy a spot of lunch at Duart Castle Tearoom as you tuck into homemade savoury and sweet treats which follow the original recipes of Lady Maclean. No trip to Mull would be complete without stopping off at the Glass Barn Café. Tour the farm and the cheese factory where you will get the chance to see the cows being milked and learn how the infamous Isle of Mull cheeses are made. After being on your feet for a while, you will definitely be in the mood for a bite to eat. Make sure to try out the café's freshly baked scones – a favourite amongst visitors!

The sweet treats don’t stop there though. If you are looking for an edible souvenir to take back home with you make sure that the Island Bakery is your next port of call. From its chocolate ginger biscuits to its shortbread, each one manages to capture the true essence of Mull.

Argyll & The Isles not only offers a warm west coast welcome but often includes a taste of authentic traditional Scottish music from local artists and bars providing exciting and regular entertainment.

The Keel Row Pub & Restaurant is the perfect place for a drink or two with friends or family. Set in a traditional stone walled Hebridean cottage, feel warm and cosy as you sit next to the roaring open fire while you sample a fine selection of beers and malt whiskies. Enjoy a pint at the Mishnish Hotel where you can listen to live folk music and even challenge the locals to a game of pool, or if you’re looking for a cheap night out then the MacDonald Arms Pub is a great find for good value food and drink.