Oban, Fort William advice

[Liverbirdie]

Hello all,

Me, missus LB, the folks and our pooch are considering going to Oban or Fort William for 7-10 days either side of the new year.

Any advice, Oban looks nice and you can get ferries to the other islands, apart from Jan 1st. Obviously the weather may play a large part, but we generally go rambling (insert your own jokes here), looking at castles, fancy a trip to Glencoe,days out, island hopping etc.

Also looking for a place that has good old fashioned boozers, and maybe even the odd decent golf course.

Any help appreciated, or even any other pointers for nice places up that side of the coast, days out etc.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Hi Liver

No decent golf courses I am afraid, unless you are planning playing on the way up I would leave the sticks at home.

The Onich Hotel is nice, it is about 8 miles from Fort William and quite near the Ferry for Ardnamurchan and links to the wee ferry for Mull.
Oban has loads of hotels. We use the Bay Resort ones as they are good value [if you can stand the wrinklies]
There is a beautiful wee 9 holer near Morar 11/10 for scenery, 3/10 for quality. Take the road tae the isles to Mallaig truly beautiful. Harry Potter staem train route.
Have you considered renting a cottage, I know a few good ones if you want to PM me.

 

[Yerman]

Take a large umbrella

 

[thecraw]

Hi Liver

No decent golf courses I am afraid, unless you are planning playing on the way up I would leave the sticks at home.

The Onich Hotel is nice, it is about 8 miles from Fort William and quite near the Ferry for Ardnamurchan and links to the wee ferry for Mull.
Oban has loads of hotels. We use the Bay Resort ones as they are good value [if you can stand the wrinklies]
There is a beautiful wee 9 holer near Morar 11/10 for scenery, 3/10 for quality. Take the road tae the isles to Mallaig truly beautiful. Harry Potter staem train route.
Have you considered renting a cottage, I know a few good ones if you want to PM me.

Take no notice of that nonsense about Traigh being 3/10 for quality. It's a smashing wee nine holer with some amazing holes. Yrs the greens are not great but its well maintained and looked after. Well worth playing and he is correct about the views. In the area you also have Fort William GC, Dragon's Tooth and also Glencruitten in Oban.

Loads to do in the area. I would plump for Oban more than Fort Bill.

 

[stevie_r]

Was up there last year, Fort William is obviously feeling the recession as half the high street was empty shop units. Got free golf on Dragons tooth as we were staying at the Ballaculish hotel.

 

[Liverbirdie]

Thanks for the pointers, guys.

Doon - we will be looking at cottages in the next few days/weeks. But if you have any recommendations, would be glad of them. Ideally within a few miles of Oban, for nights out. Is Oban a nice old town?

I know the ferries are still running, but will check to see that museums/visitor centres such as Glencoe, possibly Iona etc are still open, otherwise we may go in the summer instead. At that time of year a lot of things are shut.We've also got to bounce it off the folks first, but me and the missus fancy Oban.

I've heard of a another great 9 holer on here, that some of you have mentioned, possibly craw or Davey (bigslice) on one of the islands - can't remember which course or on which island though. Ive also seen that Machrihanish is only 2 hours drive away. Is there anything else to do near machrihanish, could let the others have the car after dropping me off and get a knock in. The missus is great for that - if we go for 10 days, she may let me have 2-3 knocks.

Tobermory looks boss, we may go for an island hopping ticket and take the car to a few of the islands such as Mull. I presume there is no midgies around then, also anyone know if whale-watching is an option around then?

 

[bigslice]

looks to be a few course around oban and on islands, google maps. ive never played up that way

 

[SS2]

Oban is a nicer place, Fort William is a bit bleak. If you go to Oban make sure ypou check out the Oban Fish & Chip Shop in George Street: best Fish and chips I've ever had. Also some decent boozers around the main harbour.

 

[Liverbirdie]

looks to be a few course around oban and on islands, google maps. ive never played up that way

Davy, did you play a 9 hole on of the other islands such as Jura, Arran? I know they are further south, but could have sworn that you or Craw have played a 9- holer on one of the islands, which was fantastic, as well as quirky.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Tobermorey golf course is very good. Sits on the hill over the harbour with some great views.
Tobermory [balamory] itself is beautiful Fishnish Hotel good fro eating and drinking.
Mull is a lovely Island wildlife and walking is superb. it is also very quiet. Size of the Isle of Wight but with the population of Ryde.
Isle of Mull Hotel recomended food is a bit basic but they have a nice pool and gym, if you want posh the Castle at Glengorm is lovely.
I think the golf course you are thinking of is The Machrie on Islay. Best course on the western side.

Island hopping is good, try to take the wee ferries where you can as it does keep the cost down and you get some great scenery on quiet roads. EG ferry from Mallaig to Skye then off on the bridge. Corran to Ardgour then Lochaline to Fishnish for Mull.
Bute is also a nice place with a good course at Rothesay.

Oban is best of the two towns FW is a bit of a ghost town now.
The cottages I would recommend are around FW and on Mull/Islay.

If you are staying at Oban and want to go to Iona for the day best to get a coach tour from Oban pier.