Scotland > 1882-1915 - Slater's Royal National Commercial Directory of Scotland > 1886 - Slater's (late Pigot and Co's) Royal national commercial directory and topography of Scotland

DIRECTORY
ARG-YLESHIRE
OBAN AND ITS VICINITY.
OBAN is a modern neat town and sea-port in the parish of Kilbride,
136 miles w.n.w. from Edinburgh, 117 from Glasgow, 40 s.s.w.
of Fort William, 32 w.N.W.of Inveraray, over Port Sonuchan ferry (4'2
by coacli road, via Dalmelly), and 30 b.E. of Tobermory. To visit
Staffa and Iona hence, going round the Island of MuU, the voyage
is about ISO miles, and it is about the same distance to Portree, in
Skye. 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 Keirara 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 threo quays, that on the north
having been enlarged and improved in 18(J3, and that on tho south
in 1876. The imports of Oban consist chiefly of merchandise from
Glasgow, Liverpool and Ireland, and its principal exports are
whisky and wool. The municipal government of the town is
vested in two bailies, four councillors and a town clerk, aud Oban is
contributory with the burghs of Ayr, Campbeltown. Inveraray and
Irvine in returning one member to Parliament. The court house
and police station, comprised in one building, is a handsome erec-
tion, situated in Argyll square. In it is held a sheriff's court once a
quarter, a justice of peace court for small debts the first Friday of
every month, aud a police and burgh court on the first Monday of
every month. A quarry of excellent freestone was some years since
opened, about four miles south, on the shore of Loch Feochan. The
town is divided by a small river, the west side belonging to
Robert Macfie, Esq. of Airds, that on the north to A. W. M'Dongall,
Esq. of Battlefield, and Golonel M'Dongall, of Dunollie.
In the eastern division is the parish church, erected in 1821.
St. John's Scotch Episcopal church, a neat Gothic edifice, with
beautiful stained glass windows, capable of seating 200, was erected
by subscription, for the accommodation of the numerous visitors, at
a cost of about £1,700, and was consecrated in September, 1864, by
the Bishop of London. The Bishop of the diocese and trustees are
the patrons. In Tweedale street is an Independent chapel, built in
1820, capable of accommodating 500. A handsome Free church
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 1866. To
the south of the town, a union poorhouso was opened in 3862 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. There are two newspapers published
weekly, the Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, and the Oban
Telegraph. Oban and its vicinity offer many inducements both to
the tourist and antiquarian. Among the antiquities may be par-
ticularly noticed the ruins of Dtiuollie Castle, situated a mile north
of the town, and threo miles distant is Dunstalihage Castle; the
latter formerly belonged to the powerful Lord of Lorn, aud was
demolished by Robert Bruce, in retalliation for the injuries inflicted
upon bim and his followers, after crossing Loch Lomond on his way
to Ireland, by that noble. In the chapel of the castle is a remark-
able echo. Three miles to the south, on tho Ardrishaig road, there
is the ft Serpent Mound," at the end of Loch Nell, which has
attracted much attention from antiquarians. Six miles to the north,
on the opposite Bido to Loch Etive, are the ruins of Berigonhtm, the
ancient metropolis of Caledonia, and two miles further nortli is Bal-
oaldihe Castle. From a hill on the Island of Kerrara may be 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, tho Gioucoe mountains, Easdale, Luing, &c.
The tourist will be well rewarded for his troublo in visiting this
place, as it is acknowledged to be the finest view in Scotland. In
visiting tho castles, &c, the antiquarian will find much gratifica-
tion, all of them having been the residences of the ancient Scotch
nobles, their present appearance even exhibiting proofs of their
former state and grandeur. Oban may also be said to rank among
the most pleasant summer retreats in the Highlands of Scotland.
Its situation for bathing is extremely good, and it possesses every
accommodation tor the couvenience of the great number of fashion-
able and wealthy visitors who are constantly calling here in the
summer, on their way to the fine scenery on the western coast, and
in Skye, and to tho far-famed islands of Staffa and Iona, and who
by their presence impart a liveliness and interest to the appearanco
of the town. The inhabitants of Oban endeavour to imitate the
manners and conversation of the visitors, which causes much better
English, to be spoken, and far more politeness and urbanity of
manners to he displayed here than in many other places on this
coast. Much improvement lias been ofi'ected of late years, and many
handsome villa residences may be now seen on the hill behind the
town; modern shops and warehouses are also superseding the old ones.
An Act of Parliament was obtained in 1865 by the Callander and
Oban Railway Company, for the construction of a line from Cal-
lander to this town, so as to connect it by a direct line of com-
munication with the Lowlauds ; it is now completed, and was opened
through to Oban on 1st of July, 1880. Tne contractors for the
making of the line were Messrs. Mitchell aud Ireland, of Montrose,
and for tho station and pier, Messrs. Duncan Hobson and Sons,
, Glasgow, the latter of which cost between £50,000 and £60,000.
The line from Callander to Oban, a distance of 70 miles, is owned
by the Callander and Oban Railway Company, but is worked by the
Callander Railway Company for them. Steamboats ply betwoon
Glasgow, Greenock, Inverness, Mull, Staffa and Iona five or six
times a week in summer, to Skye and Storuoway twice a week, and to
other places further north once a fortnight during tho season, also
to Ireland. The coach service it likewise constant and regular.
Fairs and markets: for cattle, on tho Monday and Tuesday before
the last Wednesday in May, aud the Friday and Saturday before
the last Wednesday in October ; for sheep and wool, on the Wed-
nesday after Inverness July market ; for horses, on the Tuesday
before fourth Thursday in March, September and November ;
and for hiring, April and October. At Connell on Monday before
the last Wednesday in May, and on Friday before the last Wednes-
day in October. Population of Oban in 1871, 2,426, and in 1831, 4,046;
POST OFFICE, 2 George Street, Oban, Donald M'Lean, Post Master.— Letters arrive (overland) from England, Ireland, Edinburgh,
Glasgow and all parts at 7 a.m., aud 1 20 p.m., and from Island of Mull at 11 55 a.m., and 7 p.m., and are despatched to Glasgow,
Inveraray and Taynuilt at 4 SO a.m., to England, Ireland, Edinburgh and Glasgow at 11 55 a.m., and 3 40 p.m., and to Island of Mull,
Easdale, Fort William and Ardyour at 1 p.m. Money Order and Telegraph Office and Savings Bank.
GENTRY & CLERGY.
Allan Thomas William Murray, Esq. j. p. [
(deputy lieutenant for the county & con-
venor of the road trustees for Mid Lorn),
Glenfcochan House
Anderson Mr. John, Burnbank
Baily Mr. Edwin, 1 Victoria ores
Brenau Mr. P. Woulf, Creag-a-Bharan
Brown Alexander, Esq. Bank of Scotland
Cameron Mr. Hugh, Woodburn Villa
Campbell the Misses — , Argyll Cottage
Campbell Mr. A. J.H. of Dunstaffuage
Campbell Rev. Colin, KiluiDver
Campbell Donald, Esq. (burgh fiscal), 17
Alexandra pi
Campbell Neil M. Esq. Albert Villa
Cullies Sir William, Craiguiorag House,
Curran Esplanade
Cumstie Captain — , View bank
Cumstie Mrs. Eleanor, Holly mount
Davidson Miss Margaret, Victoria pi
Forbes Rev. J. Oban
Gillies Mr. William, Ardconnel Lodge
Hosaek Mr. William j.p. Dalreigh [Oban
Ingilby Kev.Arthur John.B. a. The Parsonage,
KirklandMiss — , St. John's House (pi
Lawrence Mr. Martin Brydon, jun. 2 Cawdor
Lawrence Robert, Esq. 2 Cawdor pi
Livingston Mrs. Alice, Battery ter
M f Arthur Mr. Alexander, 1 Cawdor pi
M'Caig Misses — , Conanmore Villa, Corran
Esplanade
M'Caig Duncan, Esq. John sq
M'Caig John S. Esq. John sq
M'Callum Captain John, St. Kilda Villa
Macdbnald Mrs. — , of Dunach
McDonald Right Rev Angus, Loyola Villa
M'Dougald Miss — , Strathaven ter
M'Dougall Rev. Alexander, Toroba id
M'Dougall Miss Ann, 5 Cawdor pi
M'Dougall Oolonol Charles Allan (of
u M'Dougall), Dunollie
M'Fadyen Miss Ann, Alexandra pi
Macgregor Donald, Esq. Hellenslee Villa
M'Innes Rev. Duncan, 4 Battery ter
M'Innes Miss Ellen, 7 Cawdor pi
Macintosh Mr. — , 1 Strathavon ter
M'Intyro John, Esq. Loch-voil Villa
M'Kelvie Robert, Esq. m.d. Argyll sq
M'Kercher Rev. Peter, Established Church,
Kilmore
M'Laren Mr. John F. 8 Columba ter
M'Lean Miss Elizabeth, Heath Cottage
MacLean Rev. James, Oban
Maclean Peter. Esq. Argyll Hotel
M'Lucas Mrs. Jessie, Oban Times buildings
M'Lucas Miss Sarah, G Victoria pi
M'Vicar Mr. Archibald, Gtefingarn Cottage
Menzies Mr. David R. D.timf reoch
Menzies Mr. William, Hclenslee
MenzSidS Mr. William, jun. Hawthorn bank
Miller Miss Colina, Gienoairn Lodge, Corran
Esplanade
Mitchell Mr. Archibald, Dairy Villa
Morrison Mr. John, Alexaudra pi
Nicol James, Esq. j.p, Craigievar
Sim J. Fraser, Esq. j.p. 4 Cawdor pi
Smith Rev. John, The Mause, Glasdrim
Croft
Tallach David A. Esq. Dunvorgan Villa
Taylor Rev. William, The Manse, Oban
Walker Rev. W. T. m.a. U. P. Manse, Dalri*oh
Watson Mr. Richard, National Bank, George
street
White Mrs. S. Towry, Loyola Villa, Esplanade
Whyte Rev. Charl.ts, Gleulyron Lodge
ACADEMIES & SCHOOLS.
High Public School, Oban— Hugh Skinner,
headmaster; — Paterson, M.A. assistant
master; Misd M'Dougall, mistress of
junior department; Miss Fraser, infants'
mistress
M'Dougall Jessie, Selma Villa
M'Kay Miss — , Albany tor
Oban Academy, Broadalbane st — John D.
Robertson, M.A. head master; — Wood,
assistant master ; Isabella Taylor, lady
superintendent; Miss M'Laggan, infants'
mistress [master
Parochial School, Kerrara— Peter MMulyre,
Parochial School, Kilmore — William H.
Burton, master [mistress
Roman Catholic School. Oban— Miss Grey,
St. John's Episcopal Church School, 14
Stevenson ter— Isabella Grant, mistress
AERATED WATER MANUFACTURERS.
M'Call D. & Co. Drimavargie, Oban—
See advertisement
Munro Allan, Srevenson ter
Robertson Alexander, A.P.S. (Estaib.
lished 18-4G), Stafford st
AGENTS.
(See also Fire, <4>o\ Office Agents.)
Boyd Thomas (for the Admiralty Charts), 29
George st
Brown Alexander (for David MacBrayne's
steamers, Glasgow, & general shipping &
strain paOket agent, & agent for Lloyd's),
North quay
Cameron Donald (commission), Bon Nevis
Cottage, Mossfield
Cameron Duncan (for tho Admiralty Charts),
Oban Times buildings, Esplanade
General Supply Association, limi-
ted (for Hungarian wines), 7b' George st
Hardie Robert (for West Highland Ourfyiug
Co,), Combie st
M'Caig John S. (for ettaraers), John sq
M'Coll A. (commission), Stevenson ter
Macfarlauo Robert (houso), Stevenson ter
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