8 Islands To Visit From Oban For Incredible Scottish Stories

Every year, I seem to be spending more and more time in Oban. Lots of people do, but not many get the most out of their visit. Not only is this wee, west-coast town packed with history and very dog-friendly, it also happens to be the “Gateway to the Isles”!

You’re spoilt for choice, with every island you can visit from Oban offering something different. Whether it’s beautiful beaches, crumbling castles, local culture or clan history that you’re looking for, this is your starting point. To help with all these options, here’s a rundown of 8 different islands reached from Oban!

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Driving On Scottish Islands

While it’s possible to get around some parts of Scotland by public transport, once you reach the islands things get more difficult. Hiring a car allows you to reach those more remote (and therefore quieter) spots! Some of the islands you can visit from Oban are pedestrian only, so this doesn’t always apply, but if you might want to look into driving for other parts of your trip.

Here’s the best place to find car hire in Scotland and if you’re nervous about driving on these roads, this article will help a lot!

If you want even more information about spending time in and around this amazing wee town, this Travel to Oban Itinerary & Planning Guide will be a massive help.

For just £10 you get all of my expert knowledge of travelling around this underappreciated part of Scotland!

Click Here To Download Your Copy!

1. Isle of Mull – Castles and Clan History

You may also like – 12 Best Things To Do In Mull

The Isle of Mull is by far the island I travel from Oban to the most. It takes around 50 minutes on the ferry and the views along the way are absolutely outstanding. Make sure to book your ticket for this far in advance, especially if you’re bringing a vehicle!

Mull is home to dramatic landscapes, some of my favourite castles and has a very strong clan connection, packed with tales of the MacLeans. Duart Castle is one of the island’s icons, dating back to the 1300s and keeping a watchful eye on the sea from its craggy outcrop. The view from the roof is worth the visit alone!

Nature lovers will find plenty to enjoy here: sea eagles and red deer in particular. Or you could go for a hike and summit Ben More if you have the energy! Don’t miss all the amazing food to be found here too, with my highlights being Cafe Fish in colourful Tobermory or the Glass Barn just outside the town!

Places To Stay On Mull:

Carnaburg Guest House – Right beside the water, this wee place is great value for money and a regular spot for me.

Western Isles Hotel – Up on the cliff with a great view, plenty of comfortable rooms and a great restaurant!

2. Isle of Iona – Home of Christianity in Scotland

Technically, it takes two ferries to get here, but if you’re visiting the Isle of Mull then you really should head to Iona as well! After reaching Craignure on Mull, it takes around an hour of driving to get to Fionnphort and the ferry to Iona. This is Scotland’s Holy Island and a sacred burial spot for Kings and Clan Chiefs.

In 563AD, St. Columba established a monastery here and Iona quickly became one of the main religious centres in all of Europe. The restored Iona Abbey still stands as a serene and sacred space, attracting pilgrims, artists, and history enthusiasts alike.

There’s more than just a deep spiritual draw to Iona though, the island’s natural beauty is just as worth making the trip from Oban. You’ll find white sands and turquoise waters, with fine machair beaches and isolated bays scattered around the coast. It’s somewhere worth dedicating an entire day or even more if you can!

Where To Stay On Iona:

Ardoran House – Where better to stay on an island like this than with locals in a perfect wee B&B?

Iona Pods – For something a wee bit different, Iona Pods are easy to get to but feel in the middle of nowhere!

3. Isle of Staffa – A Natural Wonder of the Hebrides

The island of Staffa is a wee bit different than the others. Tiny and uninhabited, it lies off the west coast of Mull and can only be visited for a few hours with a tour company like Staffa Tours. Its main attraction is Fingal’s Cave, a massive sea cavern formed by hexagonal basalt columns. The name comes from a legend that the cave was once home to a ferocious giant called Benandonner and you can read the whole thing here!

Staffa is also a haven for birdlife, especially during the summer months when puffins nest in burrows on the grassy clifftops. Boat trips often allow time to land and explore the island on foot. It’s a short visit, but one you’ll never forget!

4. Isle of Lismore – A Hidden Gem of Gaelic Heritage

Considering how often I visit the town, I can’t believe it took me so long to visit the Isle of Lismore from Oban! It takes less than hour on the ferry and this quiet, green island is steeped in Gaelic tradition and history. The island’s name comes from the Gaelic for “Great Garden” and it’s famously fertile compared to some of its more rugged neighbours.

The Lismore Gaelic Heritage Centre is a great place to start and discover more about this amazing wee place. There are Iron Age brochs to hike up to with spectacular views up to Ben Nevis, as well as the ruined 13th century Castle Coeffin! What makes Lismore really special though, is its connection with St Moluag.

This island, at the centre of the busy seaway of Loch Linnhe, was where Moluag established his church. It became so important that it would later become home to the Cathedral of Argyll. The present day parish church still uses part of the building, although you might need to use your imagination to see what it once was!

You may also want to read this – Spend A Perfect Day On Lismore!

Places To Stay On Lismore:

Ballimackillachan Croft – A room inside a beautiful home that’s been created by an artist and carpenter, meaning that everything is unique and made with love. It’s a sociable place and perfect for experiencing Lismore with expert advice from your hosts.

5. Isle of Kerrera – Hidden In Plain Sight

The quickest island you can visit from Oban is also one of the most overlooked. You can literally see it from the town, but most visitors don’t even realise that Kerrera is an island! While you need to travel a mile or so south of Oban, the ferry itself only takes five minutes!

Once you’re there, it feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle. It’s a walking island so no cars allowed, but it’s a place to take things slow. I always follow the southern trail and it’s reasonably easy going. You’ll pass by a fantastic teagarden and eventually reach the impressive ruins of Gylen Castle. Ruined in the 17th century and perched on a cliff, it’s a dramatic location to watch the world go by!

You may also want to read this – How To Enjoy A Daytrip To Kerrera

6. Isle of Coll – Tranquility, Wildlife, and Starry Skies

Of course, there are other islands you can visit from Oban that also don’t get as much attention and chief amongst those is the wee Isle of Coll! The ferry takes just over two and a half hours, taking you to a quiet place surrounded by dozens of beaches. There’s such little light pollution here that Coll has even been designated as a Dark Sky Island, so get ready for stargazing!

If you’re brave then go swimming or even snorkelling in pristine waters. For those who didn’t bring a wetsuit, you can still get out on the water through boat trips. Wildlife watchers are spoilt for choice with seabirds, corncrakes, seals, or even occasionally basking sharks offshore. Don’t focus too much on “things to do” though, Coll is a place to unplug and unwind.

Places To Stay In Coll:

Coll Hotel – Where better to stay than where the only pub on the island is?!

7. Isle of Tiree – Sunshine, Surf, and Crofting Culture

The same ferry that stops at Coll from Oban also heads to the Isle of Tiree! Known as the “Hawaii of the North”, it’s Scotland’s sunshine island with a milder climate than you might expect on the mainland. However, be warned that this is also a famously windy place! Unsurprisingly, that means Tiree is beloved by surfers, windsurfers, and kiteboarders!

Don’t worry if that’s not your scene, there’s a lot more to Tiree than water sports. There’s a long history of habitation here and a strong local culture. With especially fertile soil, crofting is a large part of life here and if you want to dig into the island’s history, I’m a big fan of a heritage centre!

Places To Stay In Tiree:

Kirkapol Beach Pod – For compact living with spectacular views, you can’t go wrong with these glamping pods!

Rockvale B&B – If you’d rather have a catered stay, book a room at Rockvale B&B!

8. Isle Of Colonsay – A Hidden Hebridean Gem

In my opinion, Colonsay is a particularly special island you can visit from Oban. This peaceful island is wildly beautiful, but it’s also jam-packed with history. Ancient standing stones, the ruins of Oronsay Priory, and traces of Norse and Clan Macfie heritage give you plenty of stories to uncover. If you want to hear a particularly tragic local tale, read this story about Macphie & his Black Dog.

There’s more than just history and folklore on Colonsay though! If you like to challenge yourself, then consider bagging all 22 of the “Macphies” – hills over 300ft. It takes you on a 20-mile route around both Colonsay & Oronsay, but make sure you time it to match the tides… If you’re not feeling so energetic, get yourself some local gin and relax on the beach!

Places To Stay In Colonsay:

Colonsay Hotel – You can’t go wrong with a stay at the fantastic Colonsay Hotel!

9. Isle of Barra – A Long Way Away

One of my favourite places in Scotland is also the furthest away island that you can reach from Oban. The Isle of Barra is the southernmost inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides and it’s not a big place, but it’s packed with things to do. It’s a big effort to reach, taking five hours on the ferry from Oban, so you’ll want to spend at least a couple of nights there.

The picturesque main village of Castlebay gets its name from Kisimul Castle, once the stronghold of Clan MacNeil. At the north of the island, the medieval Cille Bharra gives the entire island its name. Maybe you want to hike to the top of Heaval or enjoy the stunning beaches of Vatersay. They don’t call this island Barradise for nothing…

Places To Stay In Barra:

Castlebay Hotel – This is where a group of us stayed the last time I was in Barra and the view, service and food were all fantastic!

You may also want to have a read of this – Top Things To Do In Barra!

Which Island Will You Choose?

As you can see, there’s loads of different islands you can visit from Oban, all of them with a different feeling. Some that are perfect for daytrips and others that you’ll want to spend a whole week or more on. All of them are worth visiting, but let me know which island you’re going to head to first!

If you’re planning on travelling to some Scottish islands, then how about visiting on a Scotland’s Stories Tour?

Just click this link to make an enquiry and book your private driving tour today!