Email The Old Manse Guest House enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com  

Other places to stay in and around Oban

Welcome to the Old Manse, Oban.

Built in 1863 for the Church of Scotland, The Old Manse has been lovingly restored and refurbished to provide first class bed and breakfast accommodation in Oban on the beautiful west coast of Scotland.

Set in a prominent position in its own secluded grounds yet just two minutes walk from town, The Old Manse Guest House has lovely views over Oban Bay to the Isles of Kerrera and Mull.

The gardens have been landscaped to provide a beautiful haven in which guests can relax and take in the panoramic views. Your hosts, Anna and Simon, aim to provide an experience of comfort and hospitality from the moment guests step over the threshold. The personal touches and attention to detail ensure that guests return time and time again.

You don't even have to go out to eat if you don't want to - why not enjoy a night in with our delicious in-room suppers?

The Old Manse Guest House Accommodation

The Old Manse has five guest bedrooms, three with kingsize beds. All are ensuite with flatscreen, Freeview televisions, bedside bedside radio/alarm/CD player and hospitality trays and hair dryers.

Each bedroom is individually colour co-ordinated and has its own charm and character. Hospitality trays in all rooms have a selection of teas, coffee, shortbread and hot chocolate.

The two front bedrooms have views over Oban Bay. Binoculars are on hand for close ups of the ferries and boats sailing past. The refurbished ground floor bedroom has a Kingsize sleigh bed and ‘Swedish style’ wooden panelled bathroom complete with a shower and bath for a relaxing soak at the end of the day.

The side bedroom has been refurbished in a contemporary style and overlooks Oban Hill and the local bowling green, providing free viewing! All of the guest rooms provide a very high standard of comfortable accommodation. Self contained family suite available (double en-suite with adjoining twin).

The Dining Room
The bright and sunny dining room features an open fire and overlooks the picturesque gardens. This is where guests start the day with a freshly cooked Scottish breakfast from a varied menu with the emphasis on local produce such as oak-smoked haddock from the Western Isles and free range eggs from the Isle of Se il.

A selection of cereals, fruit juices, fruit compotes, yogurts, oatcakes and cheeses provide a lighter start to the day. An in-room service of soup and sandwiches is available between 5.00pm and 7.00pm. Please order the day before required.

The landscaped garden has stunning views across to the islands of Kerrera and Mull. Relax on one of our benches or raised patio area with its views down to the Lismore lighthouse. The walk down the garden path and into the town centre with its many shops and restaurants and harbour takes around five minutes.

All rooms have wine glasses and bottle openers plus hospitality trays so you can relax on one of the benches with a cup of tea or bring your own bottle of wine to toast the sunset.

Balamory books and DVD to enjoy during your stay, plus Balamory 'welcome letter' for the under 7s.

Arrival times are between 1.00pm and 7.00pm unless otherwise arranged. Guests are asked to vacate their rooms by 10.00am on the morning of departure.

Smoking Policy
Please note that The Old Manse has a no smoking policy throughout.

Pet Policy
We regret that we are no longer able to take dogs.

We are now able to offer Wi-Fi access in the public areas of the Guest House for guests with their own laptops, iPods etc.

Day Trips from the Old Manse
Circular tour of Loch Awe
Take A85 (Glasgow) for approx 18 miles to pass of Brander. Cruachan power station (in the Hollow Mountain) has a guided tour,which takes you half a mile into the mountain where 3 generating turbines sit in a man made cavern, which is as big as a cathedral.

Two miles further, beyond the filling station, on the right, is St Conan's Kirk; built at the beginning of the twentieth century with boulders from the slopes of Ben Cruachan. It is has a very interesting interior, and is well worth a visit.

One and a half miles further on from St Conan's turn onto the A819 (Inveraray). Then one mile further stop at the lay by on the left for the best views of Kilchurn castle. A few miles further turn off A819 on to B480 (Caldich). This road follows Loch Awe on its south side; you will see wonderful views.

At the Ford Hotel turn right, this road follows you through Inverliever forest. The road rises high above the loch giving beautiful views and goes through Dalavich village. Continue to follow the loch and take B845 to Taynuilt, a small village with lovely coffee shop (Robins Nest) and good antique shop.
Finally take the A85 15 miles back to Oban.

Oban to Easdale (Isle of Seil)
Take A816 (Lochgilphead). 8 miles south of Oban, turn right onto B844. Cross "Bridge over the Atlantic " (built 1792) onto the Isle of Seil. Just over the bridge is Tigh-an-Truish Inn (House of the Trousers), so called because this was the where the islanders changed from their national dress (the kilt) into trousers before travelling to the mainland, as wearing the kilt was a hanging offence on the mainland after the 1745 rebellion.

Carry on down the island; turn right to Easdale. This village is where the slate quarry workers lived. There is now a museum on the village of Easdale (which can be reached by a small ferry from Easdale village). The museum tells the history of slate quarrying on the island.

The craft shop in Easdale should not be missed! Once visited never forgotten! The Seafood restaurant near the jetty for the ferry is highly recommended by previous guests, Mr and Mrs Thomas from Newport, Wales.

Oban to Fort William via Glencoe and Kinlochleven
Take the A85 to Dalmally (Glasgow)

Places of interest en-route:
· Bonawe Iron Furnace at Taynuilt
· Cruachan Power Station (Hollow Mountain)
· St Conan's Kirk (Loch Awe)
· Kilchurn Castle

Dalmally to Bridge of Orchy
Turn left onto B8074 (single track road) 1 mile north of Dalmally. Follow the River Orchy Look out for the spectacular falls!

At Junction: Turn left onto A82 to Fort William into Glencoe. From here you will pass through 27 miles of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland - Loch Tulla, Rannoch Moor, and the Blackmount.

Top end of the Glen:
Enter The Valley of Glen Coe (Lots of photo opportunities).

Bottom end of the Glen:
The Glencoe Visitor Centre has recently been rebuilt (2002) and relocated to a site about half a mile from the original one, near Glencoe Village. The new centre is much bigger and has an impressive exhibition which is well worth visiting, including an audiovisual film, every 20 minutes, telling the story of the Massacre of Glencoe. It is not visible from the road but is well signposted.

North of the Visitors' Centre about a mile further on, turn right at Glencoe Hotel onto B863 to Kinlochleven. This is an alternative route to crossing the Ballachulish Bridge, as this offers spectacular views over the mountain tops and down onto Loch Leven.

To return to Oban turn right onto the A82 and then follow the scenic coastal road A828 back to Oban. Along the way points of interest are Castle Stalker (built on an island), Barcaldine Castle and the Oban Seal and Marine Centre which is a "must-see" attraction for children and adults alike.

Activities in the Oban Area
The Oban area has an abundance of things to see and do on the doorstep no matter what time of year or weather! We are happy to advise you on or arrange activities in advance of your arrival so you can make the most of your time in Oban.

Things to see and do outdoors:
. Horse riding
. Mountain bike hire and trails
. Golf
. Wildlife cruises around the islands to see seals, dolphins, puffins and whales if you are lucky
. Rarebreeds centre
. Award winning gardens at Ronebhal and Arduaine
. Pristine beaches at Ganavan and Tralee
. Romantic castles at Dunollie, Dunstafnage and Castle Stalker
. World class ancient monuments and stone circles
. Sea Life Adventure Centre
. Oban Cycles
. Oban Rare Breed Park
. Mull Wildlife
. Mull Railway - Scotland's original and only island passenger railway.
. National Kayak School in Aberfeldy - sea and white water kayaking

Things to do indoors:
. Scottish Sealife Sanctuary with seals, otters and sea horses
. Oban Distillers
. Altantis Leisure centre with swimming, squash, tennis, sauna
. Scottish dance and music shows
. Museums
. Oban Seal Sanctuary
. Oban Distillery
. McTavishs Scottish show
. Oban Museum

New Experiences:
. Trial dive lesson
. High speed sea safari to the worlds third largest Whirlpool
. Rally Karting
. Abseiling & vertical descents

Treats and Special Occasions:
. Private charter cruises
. Falconry handling
. Wildlife photography
. Days At Sea
. Harley Davidson Tours
. Falconry Adventures
. Sealife Adventures

Fine Dining
. Waterfront Restaurant
. The Manor House Oban

Finally ... a new edition to the contemporary restaurant scene in Oban is ‘Ee-Usk’ fish restaurant. It is situated right on the harbour front and has glass walls to give stunning views over Oban bay.

Location
The Old Manse Guest House is situated in the beautiful port of Oban in the county of Argyll. Oban is known with good reason as the Gateway to the Isles as this is the port where many of the ferries run from to the Western Isles including the Isle of Mull (and from there to the island of Iona), Coll and Tiree, Colonsay, and Lismore.

The Old Manse itself is set above the main waterfront overlooking Oban bay with panoramic views out across sound of Mull to the island of Mull itself. It is however conveniently located only a few minutes' walk from Oban town centre.

DIRECTIONS
When approaching from the North along the A85 descend the hill that goes down into Oban. Half way down the hill turn left at the sign for the the swimming pool. Turn right into Dalraich Road. Follow Dalraich Road for about 100 metres and the Old Manse is located on the right.

When approaching from the South, head north through Oban's one way system. When ascending the hill which leaves the town turn right at the sign for the swimming pool and then follow the directions as stated above.

By Road:
The roads to Oban are a pleasure to drive on, with wonderful views. Oban is well signposted with access via the A816 from the south or the A85 from the north. Driving time from Glasgow is about two hours, with visitors following the A85 from the junction at Tyndrum.

By Rail:
Scotrail run a train service from Glasgow Queen Street station that runs along the famous West Highland line.

By Plane:
The most convenient airport is Glasgow (80 miles) or Glasgow Prestwick you can hire a car from either airport.

By Ferry:
Ferries are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne to most of the Western Isles.

Email The Old Manse Guest House enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com