Inspirational Oban

Oban’s scenery has always attracted artists, poets and writers. Some would say that this is not always a blessing – William Topaz McGonagall (March 1825 – 29 September 1902), famously hailed for being the worst poet in the English speaking language, was inspired to write the following;

Oban
Oh! beautiful Oban with your lovely bay,
Your surroundings are magnificent on a fine summer-day;
There the lover of the picturesque can behold,
As the sun goes down, the scenery glittering like gold.
And on a calm evening, behind the village let him climb the hill,
And as he watches the sun go down, with delight his heart will fill
As he beholds the sun casting a golden track across the sea,
Clothing the dark mountains of Mull with crimson brilliancy.
And on a sunny morning 'tis delightful to saunter up the Dunstaffnage road,
Where the green trees spread out their branches so broad;
And as you pass the Lovers' Loan your spirits feel gay
As you see the leaflet float lightly on the sunny pathway.
And when you reach the little gate on the right hand,
Then turn and feast your eyes on the scene most grand,
And there you will see the top of Balloch-an-Righ to your right,
Until at last you will exclaim, Oh! what a beautiful sight!
And your mind with wonder it must fill
As you follow the road a couple of miles further, till
You can see Pennefure Loch on the left hand,
And the Castle of Dunstaffnage most ancient and grand.
Then go and see the waters of Loch Etive leaping and thundering
And flashing o'er the reef, splashing and dundering,
Just as they did when Ossian and Fingal watched them from the shore,
And, no doubt, they have felt delighted by the rapids' thundering roar.
Then there's Ganavan with its sparkling bay,
And its crescent of silver sand glittering in the sun's bright array,
And Dunolly's quiet shores where sea crabs abide,
And its beautiful little pools left behind by the tide.
Then take a sail across to Kerrera some day,
And see Gylen Castle with its wild-strewn shore and bay,
With its gigantic walls and towers of rocks
Shivered into ghastly shapes by the big waves' thundering shocks.
Then wander up Glen Crootyen, past the old village churchyard,
And as you pass, for the dead have some regard;
For it is the road we've all to go,
Sooner or later, both the high and the low!
And as you return by the side of the merry little stream,
That comes trotting down the glen most charming to be seen,
Sometimes wimpling along between heather banks,
And slipping coyly away to hide itself in its merry pranks.
Then on some pleasant evening walk up the Glen Shellach road,
Where numberless sheep the green hillside often have trod,
And there's a little farmhouse nestling amongst the trees,
And its hazel woods climbing up the brae, shaking in the breeze.
And Loch Avoulyen lies like a silver sea with its forests green,
With its fields of rushes and headlands most enchanting to be seen,
And on the water, like a barge anchored by some dreamland shore,
There wild fowls sit, mirrored, by the score.
And this is beautiful Oban, where the tourist seldom stays above a night,
A place that fills the lover of the picturesque with delight;
And let all the people that to Oban go
View it in its native loveliness, and it will drive away all woe.
Oh! beautiful Oban, with your silvery bay,
'Tis amongst your Highland scenery I'd like to stray
During the livelong summer-day,
And feast my eyes on your beautiful scenery, enchanting and gay.

Since then the town’s beautiful scenery has enticed many more accomplished artists to the area, to be inspired by the stunning landscapes and seascapes. Local artist John Lowrie Morrison has become highly collectable and many visitors to Oban relish the opportunity to see his work displayed in the area in which Jolomo paints. Local gallery Kranenburg Fine Art Gallery, has a long association with Jolomo and has held many of his most successful exhibitions. The gallery is well known for its large selection of contemporary art featuring both local and outside artists and not only sells art, sculptures and jewelry, but also offers a framing service to personalise your newly bought paintings to your home.
Tel: 01631 562303

To really get inside the mind of the artist, Artmap Argyll runs regular Open Studio Event, giving the public a chance to visit local artist’s studios. You can follow the Artmap trail, a trip through the stunning scenery of Oban through the eyes of 34 different artists who have either lived or draw here, or even create your own tour by visiting the red dots on the map in your own order! Request a brochure online today!

Famed for its gorgeous scenery, it is no surprise that Oban has become a popular spot for budding photographers. If you’re just starting up this new hobby, Oban provides many photography courses and trips which place you into ideal photo spots and all your have to do, is "click!" They also provide workshops so you can get a feel for the camera first, running from hour classes to weekend experiences, with use of their own professional equipment.

 

Finally, if you are a fan of Celtic Art inspired jewellery then a visit to the Iona Shop in Oban may turn up some great examples. The Iona Shop is one of the oldest shops specialising in Celtic Art inspired jewellery in Scotland and is run by a third generation Cathro. The fourth generation (Alan's son Ben) is currently making a name for himself as a mountain bike racer - a world away from the intricate silveware inspired by the ancient illustrated manuscript reputed to have been started by Columba's monks on the Isle of Iona - The Book of Kells