If you are coming by ferry you will need to stay the night in Oban as the ferry check-in is at 6am on Thursdays.

There are lots of B&Bs, hotesl and guest houses in Oban, and if you are in the car nothing is far from the terminal at 6am (!).  However, the ones Alan stays at are particularly close (in fact all walking distance too)

View map of critical locations in Oban

Harbour View Guest House

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You can see the ferry from the front of the building. Car parking on the road opposite (metered before 6pm) or in a public car park (daily rate, forget how much but cheap).  Basic, traditional B&B (not en-suite, but bathrooms always clean) was £22 per person last time I stayed and no single supplement.  One of the islander’s choice B&Bs, partly ‘cos Dilys is such a lovely landlady and partly ‘cos she does full breakfast from 5am ready for the Tiree ferry!   To get there follow the signs for the ferry through the centre and through the main square (feels a bit like a complicated roundabout).  Pass the police station to the left and then the road splits – follow the sign pointing right for bus drop-off for the ferry which takes you back on yourself.  Hartbour View is on the right almsot =immediately after you round the corner with the car park on the left.

Royal Hotel

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Situated on the main square, less than 5 mins from ferry terminal. Car parking in a sort of courtyard and small underground area at the back. Pretty tight and I wouldn’t venture in with a van or anything large.  As I’m usually in the camper I park opposite; there are often places as I usually arrive late, it is metered but free form 6pm-8am.  If this si full there are plenty of road side spaces on the road that leads down to the ferry … and opposite the police station, so good security. Prices – I have usually paid around £40, sometimes less, sometimes a little more. Breakfast doesn’t start until after the ferry checking time, but the night porter will do you toast/croissant and coffee if you wish … although mist often we just wait for the full Scottish breakfast on board the ferry! Free WiFi in the lounge (but yo umay need to ask them to reboot the router!)

Caledonian Hotel

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Right near the main square, overlooking the harbour and right across the road from the train station and passenger entrance for the ferry. If you are lucky (I have been so far) there is limited on-street parking in front, otherwise, like the Caledonian in the streets leading off the main square. Prices usually a little more than the Royal, but sometimes there are special offers (when we have stayed there). Like the Royal no full breakfast in time for the ferry, but toast/coffee.  Free WiFi in the reception … and in a particular sweet spot in the lounge.

Car Parking

For each hotel as above … but if you arrive before 6pm …

The car park opposite the Harbour View is good choice for long-stay (see description above) but there are others around.

If you arrive after 4pm you can park in Tesco free for two hours.  It seems like it is way out of town as you need to drive way out on the A816 Lochgilphead road until you come to big traffic lights with right turn to business / retail park.  However, if you drive down to Tesco and then park at the far end of the car park, you are right back in the centre!  (see map)

Alternatively for any hotel.  As the Tiree ferry in winter is the first ferry of the day, if you arrive latish, then you can drive straight to the terminal, park up in the right line (they usually have signs up), and then walk back to the hotel (or kip in in the car seat if you have done an overnighter)