1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Oban

OBAN, a municipal and police burgh and seaport of Argyllshire, Scotland. Pop. (1901) 5374. It is situated 113 m. N.W. of Glasgow by the Caledonian railway via Stirling and Callander, and about the same distance by water via the Crinan Canal. The fine bay on which it lies is screened from the Atlantic gales by the island of Kerrera (41/2 m. long by 2 m. broad), which practically converts it into a land-locked harbour. Being also sheltered from the north and east by the hills at the foot of which it nestles, the town enjoys an exceptionally mild climate for its latitude. The public buildings include the Roman Catholic pro-cathedral, erected by the 3rd marquis of Bute, the county buildings and two hospitals. It is the centre of tourist traffic for western Argyllshire and the islands. Oban was a small village at the date of Johnson’s visit during his Hebridean tour; in 1786 it became a government fishing station; it was made a burgh of barony in 1811 and a parliamentary burgh in 1832. With Ayr, Campbeltown, Inveraray and Irvine (the Ayr burghs) it unites to send one member to parliament.

At the north end of the bay stands the ruin of Dunolly Castle, the old stronghold of the Macdougalls of Lorne, whose modern mansion adjoins it. In the grounds is a huge conglomerate rock called the Dog Stone (Clach-a-choin), from the legend that Fingal used to fasten his favourite dog Bran to it. About 3 m. N.E. are the ruins of Dunstaffnage Castle. It was here that the “Stone of Destiny,” now contained in the base of the coronation chair at Westminster Abbey, was kept before its removal to Scone. At the south end of the island of Kerrera stand the ruins of Gylen Castle, an old fortalice of the Macdougalls.