Waterfront, Oban, Argyll, Scotland

Like a lot of places in the Scottish Highlands, Oban is more distinguished by what surrounds it rather than anything intrinsic to the place. Nevertheless, it does offer reasonable shopping opportunities which do prove useful when the weather misbehaves itself as it is wont to do around these parts. It is also a good base for exploring the Inner Hebrides, including both Mull and Kerrera, and is proximal to glorious mainland scenery as well.

Oban's architecture is primarily Victorian, as you might guess from the sea front in the above photo. This becomes especially apparent if you stay in one of its many guesthouses. Another and very prominent architectural feature is that Colosseum-like structure on top of the hill towards the right of the picture. This is McCaig's Tower, built so that the poor could work and buy enough food to survive during a time of hardship in the nineteenth century. The climb to the monument is not insignificant but the views over the town are well worth savouring.