Scotland > 1868, 1878 - Slater's (late Pigot & Co.'s) Royal national commercial directory and topography of Scotland > 1878 > Part 1

DIRECTORY.
LOOHaiLPHEAD.
ARGYLESHIRE.
PUBLIC BVILDINGS— continued.
Sheriff's Couit, Lochnell st — Alexander
Forbes Irvine, sheriff; Sii" George Home,
sherifl-sub ; Archibald Henderson, depute
clerk
South Argyll District Road Trust — Captain
John \V. P. Ordo, chairman; Archibald
MacEwan, secretary; Donald GiUieg, sur-
veyor and collector
Stamps & Taxes OfiSce—ArchibftldMacEwan,
sub-distributor & collector
COACH,
See also Oban.
To OBAN and INVERARY, a Coach, from
Ardrishaig for Ford, at one afternoon,
thence by Steamer through Loch Awe, by
Cladich for Inverary, Dulmally & the Pass
ofAwe,whero a Co a t'/^ awaits for convey-
ance to Oban
CARBIER.
OMNIBUSES.
From the Argyll Inn, Lochnell st. and from
the Stag Hotel & Temperance Hotel, Argyll To KILMARTIN and FORD, Archibald
st. to the quay at Ardrishaig, daily, on the • M'Leven, from Ardrishaig, Mondays, Wed-
arrival and departure of the Glasgow | nesdays & Fridays
3 learner
CONVEYANCE BY WATER.
STEAM PACKETS.
See also Oban.
To GLASGOW, a Steamer from Ardrishaig,
eight morning, and another Steamer atone
To and from GLASGOW, BALLACHULISH,
CRINAN, LUING, EASDALE, OBAN,
FORT WILLIAM, and the WESTERN
ISLANDS, &c. by the lona and other
Steamers, Aaily during the summer months,
and twice a week in winter
To INVERARY, a Steamer, from Ardrishaig,
on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
To SOUND OF MULL and TOBERMORY,
& Steamer, Wednesday
To TOBERMORY, PORTREE & STORNO-
WAY, by swift Steamer, on Monday and
Thursday to Oban, thence by Clydesdale
or Clansman, on Tuesday and Friday
OBAN AND ITS VICINITY.

BAN is a modern neat town and sea-port in the parish of Kilbride,
186 miles w.n.w. from Edinbm'gh, 92 from Glasgow, 40 s.s.w. of Fort
WiUiam, 82 w.n.w. of Inverary, over Port Sonachau ferry (42 by coach
road via Dalmally), and 30 s.e. of Tobermory. To visit Staffa and
lona hence, going round the Island of Mull, the voyage is about 120
miles, and it is about the same distance to Portree in Syke. The
town enjoys a beautiful situation on the west coast of Mid Lorn
district, and at the head of a fine bay, formed by the island of
Kerrara in front, having an entrance at each end. The bay is from
twelve to twenty fathoms deep, is well sheltered by lofty mountains,
and large enough to anchor with convenience a large number of
merchantmen. There are two (juays, that on the north was enlarged
and improved in 1863, and that on the south in 1876. The imports
to Ireland, by that noble. In the chapel of the castle is a remark-
able echo. Three miles to the south, on the Ardrishaig road, thero
is the " Serpent Mound," at the end of Loch Nell, which has
attracted much attention from a.ntiquarians. Six miles to the north,
on the opposite side to Loch Etive, are the ruins of Bcrigoniu-m, the
ancient metropolis of Caledonia, and two miles further northisBal-
caldine Castle. From a hill on the Island of Kerrara may bo seen
the distant objects of Duart Castle in Mull, Lady Rock, Ardtornish
Castle in Morven, the Castle of Aros, the Castle of Gylen, Ben
Cruachan, Ben Nevis, the Glencoe mountains, Easdale, Luing, &c.
The tourist will be weU rewarded for his trouble in visiting this
place, as it is acknowledged to be the linest view in Scotland. In
visiting the castles, &c. the antiquarian will find much gratification,
of Oban consist chiefly of merchandise from Glasgow, Liverpool all of them having been the residences of the ancient Scotch nobles,
and Ireland, and its principal exports are whiskey and wool. The and even their present appearance exhibiting proofs of their former
municipal government of the town is vested in two baiUies, four state and grandeur. Oban may alijo be said to rank among the most
councillors and a town clerk, and Oban is coutributary with the pleasant summer retreats in the Highland of Scotland. Its situa-
bui-giis of Ayr, Campbeltown, Inverary and Iiviue in returning one tion for bathing is extremely good, and it possesses every accommo-
raember to parliament. The court house and pohce station, com- dation for the convenience of the great number cf fashionable and
prised in one building, is a handsome erection situated in Argyll- wealthy visitors who are constantly calling here in the summer, on
square. In it is held a sheriff's court once a quarter, a justice of their way to the fine scenery on the western coast, and in Syke, and
peace court for small debts the first Friday of every month, and a to the far-famed islands of Staffa and lona. imparting a liveliness
police and burgh court on the first Monday of every mouth. A and interest to the appearance of the town. The inhabitants of
quarry of excellent freestone was some years since opened, about Oban endeavour to imitate the manners and conversation of the
four miles south on the shore of Loch Feochan. The town is divided visitors, which causes much better En^^lish to be spoken, and far
by a small river, the west side belonging to Robert Macfie, Esq., of more politeness and urbanity of manners to be displayed here than
Airds, that on the north to A. W. .M'Dougall, Esq., of Battlefield, in many other places on this coast. Bluch improvement has been
and Colonel M'Dougall, of Dunollie. In the eastern division is the , effected of late years, aud in addition to the public buildings ah-eady
parish church, erected in 1821. St. John's Scotch Episcopal church, | noticed, many handsome viUa residences may be seen on the hill
a neat Gothic edifice, with beautiful stained glass windows, capable i behind the town: modern shops aud warehouses are also superseding
of seating 200, was erected by subscription, for the accommodation
of the numerous visitors, at a cost of about ^1,700, and was conse-
crated in September, 1864, by the Bishop of London. The Bishop of
the diocese and trustees are the patrons. In Tweedle-streat is an
Independent chapel, built in 1820, capable of accommodating 500.
A handsome Free cliui-ch occupies a commanding site in the
rear of the town. St. Columba church (Established), George-street,
is a handsome structure, with a spire 120 feet high, erected in 1875.
The United Presbyterian church, in the neighbourhood of St. John's,
was erected in 1560. To the south of the town, a union poorhouse
has been erected, and was opened in 1862 for the reception of the
poor of the several parishes in the district of Lorn ; it embraces all
necessary accommodation, and with the ground, covers an area of
three acres. Oban and its vicinity offer many inducements both to
the tourist and antiquarian. Among the antiquities may be par-
ticularly noticed the ruins of Dunollie Castle, situated a mile north
of the town, and three miles distant is Dunstaflnage Castle— the
latter formerly belonged to the powerful Lord of Lorn, and was
demoUshed by Robert Bruce, in retaliation for the injuries inflicted
upon him and his followers, alter crossing Loch Lomond on his way
POST OI-riCB, George-street, Oban, Donald Campbell, Post Jlfosier.— Letters arrive (overland) from England, Ix-eland, Edin-
burgh, Glasgow, Island of Mull and all parts at ten minutes before one afternoon, and six evening, and are despatched to GlLs-^ow
Inverai-y and Taynuilt at ten night, and to England, Ireland, Edinburgh and Glasgow at fifteen mintes past seven morning, to Island of
Mull, Easdale, &c. at one afternoon, to Inverness, Fort William and Ardgourfbv stea '"' - - ^ - ^'
the old. An act of parliament was obtained in 1865 by the Callander
and Oban Railway Company, for the construction of a line from
Callander to this town, so as to connect it by a dii-ect line of com-
munication with the Lowlands ; it is now completed as far as Dal-
mally. The length of the intended hne is 70 miles, which, when
complete, will contribute much to the prosperity of both town and
neighbourhood. Steam boats ply between Glasgow, Greenock,
Inverness, Mull, Stafi'a and lona fiveor six times a week in summer,
to Skye and Stornoway twice a week, and to other places further
north once a fortnight during the season, also to Ireland The
coach service is likewise constant and regular. Fairs aud markets :
for cattle, on the Monday aud Tuesday before the last Wednesday
in May, and the Friday and Saturday before the last Wednesday In
October; for sheep and wool, on the Wednesday after Inverness
July market ; for horses, on the Tuesday before fourth Thm-sday in
March, September and November; and for hii-ings April and Octo-
ber. At CoNNELL on Monday before the last Wednesday in May,
and on Friday before the last Wednesday in October. Population of
Oban in 1871, 2,426.
GENTRY & CLERGY.
I Ardgour (by steamer) at half-past four afternoon.
Money Order and Telegraph O^ce and Savings Bank.
M'Caig Duncan, Esq. St. John's square
AUan Thomas William Murray, Esq. j.p. JJ'Caig John S. Esq. j.p. St. John's square
{deputy lieutenant for the countv aud con- H ^^^Uum Mr. John, St. Kilda Cottage
Tenor of the road trustees for Mid Lorn), H.^^^'^'^^Tr -^^^^s Jessie, Oban
Glenfeochan House M«nni.h,n Tirr= _ Ai.x-n„^.. ..„
Blftckie Professor John Stuart, of Aultcraig
Brown Alexander, Esq. Bank of Scotland
Campbell Mrs. — , Rosebank
Campbell the Misses — , Argyll Cottage
Campbell Rev. CoUn, Kilninver
Campbell Donald Esq. (bm-gh fiscal), Alex.
audra place
Campbell Sir Donald, Bart, of Dunstafifnage
Campbell Donald, Esq. of Dungallan
Campbell Mrs. Mary, Cawdor place
Clerk Duncan, Esq. George st
Cumstie Alexander, Esq. George st
Cumstie Peter, Esq. j.p. George st
Forsyth Mr. George, Corran-More
Fraser Blrs. Ann, Columba terrace [st
M'Cubbin Mrs. — , Alexandra place
Macdondald Neil M'Leod, Esq. of Dunach
M'Dougall Colonel Charles Allan, j.p. (of
M'Dougall), Dunollie
Macgregor Donald, Esq. Oban
Macgeorge Very Rev. Robert Jackson, dean
of ArgjU & the Isles, The Parsonage, Oban
M'Innes Rev. Duucau, Dunvorgan Cottag
M'Intyrc John, Esq. Loch-voil Villa
M'Kay Mr. George Grant, Oban
M'Kay Rev. John, Free Church Manse
M'Kelvie Robert, Esq. m.d. Argyll square
M'Kercher Rev. Peter, Established Church,
Kilmore
M'Lean Lachlan, Esq. Columba terrace
Maclean Peter, Esq. Oban
Gregorson the Misses Mary & Nancy, Combie i ^J'^^^il^an Mr. John, Columba terrace
Hamilton Captain John, r.n. Craig' Cottage
Hutcheson David, Esq. Corranmore Villa
Kirklaud Miss — , Dahigh Cottage
Lawrence Robert, Esq. Cawdor place
Leee Mrs. — , Rockfield Cottage
Menzies Mr. David, Hawthorn Bank Villa
Menzies Mr. William, Alexandra place
Menzies Mr. WiUiam, jun. Alexandra place
I MiUer Mr. James, Oban
I Nicoi James, Esq. j.p. George st
1-1
Otter Mrs. — , Manor House
Sim J. Fraser, Esq. Cawdor place
Watson Mr. Richard, Oban
Whyte Rev. Charles, Independent Manse
ACADEMIES & SCHOOLS.
BoAKD Schools —
Combie st — Hugh Skinner, master
High st — Mary Mackay, mistress
M'Dougall Jessie, Selma Villa
MacLagan Miss — , Marquis buildings
PAKocHiALScHooL,Kerrara— Peter M'Intyre,
master [Burton, master
Parochial School, Kilmore — WilhaDri H.
St. John's Episcopal Chuech School, 14
Stevenson's terrace Cameron, master;
Mrs. Cameron, mistress
AGENTS.
(See aUo Fire, <£c. Offi.ce Agents.)
Brown Alexander (for Messrs. David Hutche-
son & Co.'s steamers, Glasgow, & general
shipping and steam packet agent), Nortli
quay
351