A short hop from Gallanach, just south of Oban, the CalMac passenger ferry lands on Kerrera, a hilly, largely car-free island across the harbour mouth from the town. Most visitors come for the circular walk around the coast path, about three hours in all, out to Gylen Castle on the southern tip. Clan MacDougall built the tower house in 1582 to watch over the shipping lane below; Covenanter troops burned it out in 1647, and a repair funded by Historic Scotland and MacDougall clan members worldwide left the walls roofless but sound again by 2006. The Kerrera Tea Garden, close to the castle, opens through the visitor season for cake and soup before the walk back to the slip. It’s a short, low-effort island day, with wide views back over Oban and the Firth of Lorn, and cars left behind at Gallanach anyway.
Photo Andrew Dawes / Unsplash
