An t-Oban : The People and the Place

This long-overdue new history of Oban (An t-Òban, meaning ‘the little bay’ in Gaelic) tells its story from the arrival of the first settlers in 10,000 BC to the development of the vibrant town it is today. Through disasters, wars, famine and clearance, the people of Oban showed a spirit of recovery, entrepreneurship and resilience.

This long-overdue new history of Oban (An t-Òban, meaning ‘the little bay’ in Gaelic) tells its story from the arrival of the first settlers in 10,000 BC to the development of the vibrant town it is today. It traces the impact of early Celts, Scots and Vikings, the formation of the Lordship of the Isles and the subsequent dominance of Clan MacDougall and then the Campbells. Through disasters, wars, famine and clearance, the people of Oban showed a spirit of recovery, entrepreneurship and resilience. Why did early inhabitants choose Oban as a desirable place to settle? What made the character of the people living here so resilient and adaptable? How much power did local clan chiefs and landowners wield and how did their actions influence the development of the town? Who were the ‘ordinary’ folk and what were their lives like?In this story of Oban’s evolution, these questions are answered, painting a picture of life over the centuries, not just in Oban but throughout the wider West Highlands. The book will be of interest not only to those who are lucky enough to call Oban home but to the many thousands of visitors who sample its atmosphere, hospitality and natural beauty.