Oban, Scotland, United Kingdom

A resort town sitting on the west coast of Scotland in the Firth of Lorn, Oban (in Gaelic, meaning “Little Bay”), charms with its natural beauty. The horseshoe-shaped bay is protected by the island of Kerrera and, beyond that, the Isle of Mull, making it perfect for watersports such as kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. The town grew up around the distillery, founded in 1794, which whisky enthusiasts still visit today. Despite its small size, Oban is known as the “Seafood Capital” of Scotland, serving up fresh seafood in its pubs and restaurants. McGaig’s Tower, a circular tower built from Bonawe granite in 1897, stands on Battery Hill and overlooks the islands of Kerrera, Lismore, and Mull. Just outside the town, visitors find thirteenth-century Dunollie Castle, standing on a rocky ridge overlooking Oban Bay. North of Oban, the natural rock formation of Fingal’s Dogstone is closely tied to Celtic mythology as the location where the giant Fingal would leave his Dog Bran while hunting across the Hebridean Islands.