HEAD west this festive season! Oban, one of Argyll’s most popular tourist destinations in the west coast of Scotland, is getting into the festive spirit this coming season.
From Hogmanay ceilidhs to comedy nights. and a whole range of Christmas specials and delicious festive menus to choose from, there will be plenty of celebrations happening all around.
So, here’s a handful of what’s on and special offers that are too good to be true!
Pre-Christmas pampering days at Isle of Eriska Hotel
The stunning Isle of Eriska Hotel is fully-booked across Christmas and Hogmanay but they make the perfect destination for some pre-Christmas pampering! Non-residents are welcome to take advantage of fantastic day spa treatments and packages in the hotel’s Espa Spa, set in one of Argyll’s most beautiful and tranquil locations. Day visitors can also dine at the hotel’s award winning three AA Rossette restaurant. The hotel is scenically located on its very own island, approximately 11 miles north of Oban town centre. Appointments and booking essential.
The facts:
Venue: Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa and Golf
Location: Benderloch, by Oban
Event: Pre-Christmas pampering
Date: Available until 22nd December 2010
Time: Spa open 10.30am – 7pm daily. Evening meals in the restaurant available from 7.30pm to 9pm.
Contact: Email: office@eriska-hotel.co.uk Tel: 01631 720 371
Price: Spa Day Packages start from £95
Website: www.eriska-hotel.co.uk
Celebrate Christmas with otters!
Something for the children and big kids at heart! Visit the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary before Christmas and you’ll be given the chance to take part in their fun Christmas quiz. Find all the hidden answers around the aquarium and hand back to a member of staff for the chance of winning a large Christmas Polar bear. The event will be run from 22nd November – 31st December 2010 and a winner will be drawn at random on 1st January 2011. In addition to this, why not pop by to watch the sanctuary’s two famous otters, Isla and Lewis, enjoy their Christmas Pudding! Each day at 3pm from 13th – 24th Dec, the lucky pair will enjoy their special seasonal treat. So not to miss out on the festivities they can dive into their Christmas puds and help to ensure Christmas comes to all in the attraction!
The facts:
Venue: Scottish SEA LIFE Sanctuary
Location: Barcaldine, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1SE, approximately 10 miles from Oban Town Centre
Event: Christmas Quiz trail and Otters Christmas Dinner
Date: Christmas Quiz : 22nd November – 31st December 2010 (inc). Otters Christmas Dinner: 13th – 24th December 2010 (inc)
Time: Quiz will run all day and otter feeding at 3pm daily.
Contact: Tel: 01631 720 386
Website: www.sealsanctuary.co.uk
Christmas and Hogmanay hotel packages!
Celebrate the festive season at The Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant
It’s Twixmas time! Walk off the turkey and Christmas pudding around our beautiful shores on Loch Linnhe and wake up to the sound of the waves crashing onto the beach. This unique offer is ideal for those who want to make the most of the few days between Christmas and Hogmanay festivities – a perfect relaxing break away from everything.
Hogmanay at The Pierhouse Hotel is a unique experience and the chance to celebrate New Year in one of the most beautiful destinations in Scotland. Whether you enjoy bright days of hard winter sunshine and incredibly deep blue skies, invigorating blustery walks along the shore, or magical snowfall on the high peaks of Ben Nevis and Glencoe, this is a breathtaking landscape and you are assured of a warm welcome at The Pierhouse.
The facts:
Venue: The Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant
Location: Port Appin, Argyll, PA38 4DE
Offers and packages:
Two-night Twixmas offer: 2 nights B&B for the price of 1
Dates: 27th – 29th December 2010
Price: From £180 pp DBB.
Three-night Hogmanay package: Five-course candlelit dinner, traditional west coast ceilidh and fireworks works off our pier
Dates: 30th December 2010 – 2nd January 2011.
Price: From £405 pp DBB.
Contact: Email : reservations@pierhousehotel.co.uk Tel: 01631 730 302.
Website: www.pierhousehotel.co.uk
Loch Melfort Hotel
Location: Arduaine, by Oban, PA34 4XG
Special offer:
Three-Day Christmas package: Arrive on 24th December and depart on 27th December 2010. Dinner, bed and breakfast each day, as well as a magnificent Christmas Lunch and on Boxing Day Eve a spectacular Seafood Banquet.
Three-Day Hogmanay package: Bring in the New Year Loch Melfort style. Arrive on 30th December and depart on 2nd January 2011. Dinner, bed and breakfast, including our magnificent seven-course Hogmanay Banquet, West Highland entertainment and a special New Year’s Day Brunch.
Twixmas offer: Stay one night dinner, bed and breakfast at £95 per person per night and get the second night bed and breakfast for just £20 (pppn).
Dates: Twixmas offer available from 27th to 29th December or 3rd to 10th January.
Prices: Christmas package from £395 pp. Hogmanay Package from £425 pp.
Contact: Tel: 01852 200 233
Website: www.lochmelfort.co.uk
Taychreggan Hotel
Location: Kilchrenan, By Taynuilt, Argyll PA35 1HQ, approximately 18 miles from Oban Town Centre
Dates: 30th December – 2nd January
Special offer: A fantastic three-day Hogmanay Package, inclusive of dinner bed and breakfast. Enjoy a champagne reception, ceilidh band, piper, fireworks and much more.
Contact: Tel: 01866 833211
Price: from £489 per person
Website: www.taychregganhotel.co.uk
Restaurant festive menu specials!
Venue: Waterfront Bar & Restaurant
Location: No 1, Railway Pier, Oban, PA34 4LW
Menu: Special Hogmanay and Christmas Menus in both the bar and award winning restaurant. Visit the website for more details.
Contact: Tel: 01631 563 110
Prices: Christmas menus £15 to £20 (bar) for three courses. Hogmanay three-course menu (restaurant) at £25 per person. Advance booking for the restaurant is recommended.
Date: Christmas Menu available from 1st to 24th December. Hogmanay Menu 31st December only.
Website: www.waterfrontoban.co.uk
Special Christmas lunch or dinner at The Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant
Venue: The Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant
Location: Port Appin, Argyll, PA38 4DE
Menu: Lunch and dinner, three course special Christmas menu
Date: Available Thursday 16th and Wednesday 22nd December. (Options available for bookings for groups of more than ten for different dates)
Price: £29.95 (a deposit is required for bookings of six or more).
Contact: 01631 730 302. Booking essential.
Website: www.pierhousehotel.co.uk
Venue: Shower of Herring Bar and Restaurant
Location: Melfort Village, Kilmelford, By OBAN, PA34 4XD
Event: Hogmanay Supper
Date: 31st December 2010
Time: From 6.00pm
Menu: Traditional Scottish Supper
Contact: Jean Bowman, 01852 200345
Price: Around £20 for three courses
Website: www.showerofherring.co.uk
Christmas and Hogmanay – Events and entertainment in and around Oban
Venue: The Galley of Lorne Inn
Location: Ardfern by Lochgilphead
Event: Hogmanay dinner and dance
Date: 31st Dec 2010
Time: 7pm onwards
Event details: Four-course dinner and dance with local band ‘Finn’
Contact: Tel: 01852 500284
Price: £35 per person
Website: http://www.galleyoflorne.co.uk/Hogmanay%20Poster.pdf
Venue: Paparazzi & O’Donnells
Address: Breadalbane Street, Oban, PA34 5NZ
Event: Hogmanay Party!
Date: Friday 31st December
Time: 9pm to 2am
Event details: Party with DJ and live music
Contact: Mob: 07770 931 967
Price: £8 for entry to both venues. Advance booking recommended.
Website: www.holidaysinoban.com. Accommodation is also available in their guest houses. Christmas parties and private functions also available and can include a four-course dinner including a champagne cocktail, followed by party with DJ for £19.95 per head.
Venue: Markie Dans Bar
Location: 1 Victoria Crescent, Oban
Thurs 23rd Dec – Live Music with Tim O Connor from 9.30pm
Christmas Day – Open all day 12noon – 2am Mince pies and mulled wine in the afternoon, entertainment in the evening
Boxing Day – Open all day 12am – 2am – Serving meals 12- 9pm, Live music with Chunks 9.30pm
27th Dec – Live music with Stretch and Open Mic Night from 9.30pm
28th Dec – Live music with the Zodiacs from 9.30pm
29th Dec – Live music with Wallace from 9.30pm
30th Dec - Live music with Crooked Reel, The best of Irish craic from 9.30pm
31st Dec – Bring in the new year with Crooked Reel from 9.30pm – open till 2am
1st January – Live Scottish music with TrailWest from 9.30pm – open till 2am
2nd January – Old Firm Derby – open from 11am, serving meals all day.
Contact: Tel: 01631 564448
Price: Free Entry – OVER 18s ONLY
Venue: The Barn Bar @ Cologin Country Chalets and Lodges
Location: Lerags Glen, by Oban. Approximately three miles from Oban Town Centre.
Event : Hogmanay Party – open to non residents!
Date: 31st December (Still some vacancies in our two bedroom – six-berth – lodges from the 28th December – minimum five nights £550)
Time: From 7pm onwards
Event details: Enjoy a delicious four course dinner followed by a Hogmanay party with live music from the Brass Monkeys. Fireworks and midnight bonfire (whatever the weather!)
Contact: 01631 571313
Price: Dinner £30 per head. Free entry to all for the following party
Website: www.cologin.co.uk
Venue: Waterfront Bar & Restaurant
Location: No 1, Railway Pier, Oban
Events:
28th December: Live music in the bar from 10pm with local band Chunks!
29th December: Comedy Club Supper Night in the restaurant (tickets available from The Comedy Club Oban)
30th December: Open Mic Night in the bar from 10pm
31st December: Scottish Gala Hogmanay Dinner in the restaurant (please book tickets in the restaurant)
31st December: Food served till 9pm followed by Hogmanay Cocktails in the bar
1st January: Ceilidh Trailor in the bar from 2pm
2nd January: Sunday Scottish Ceilidh in the bar from 2pm
Contact: Tel: 01631 563 110
Prices: Ticket prices apply to Gala Dinner and Comedy Club event. All other events are free.
Website: www.waterfrontoban.co.uk
Venue: The Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant
Location: Port Appin, Argyll, PA38 4DE
Event: Hogmanay dinner
Date: 31st December
Event details: Arrive with a warm welcome and canapés followed by a fabulous six course Hogmanay dinner. The evening’s entertainment will include a piper, ceilidh and fireworks from the pier (weather depending).
Price: £49.95 per person. A deposit of £20 per person is required on booking.
Contact: 01631 730 302. Booking essential.
Website: www.pierhousehotel.co.uk
Venue: Kilmelford Village Hall
Location: Kilmelford, By OBAN, PA34 4XD
Event: Village Hogmanay Party
Date: 31st December 2010
Time: from 9pm onwards
Event details: Hogmanay Party, with Scottish Dancing and Games. Fun for all the family. BYO
Contact: Christine Roberts, Melfort Village, 01852 200257
Price: £4 adults, £2 children
Website: http://www.kilmelford.com/calendar.irev
Christmas on the Water!
Visitors to Oban at this time of year still have the opportunity to get out into the wild and explore this part of Argyll’s stunning coastline. Coastal Connection in Oban is offering private charter services at anytime during the festive period. Head south of Oban and cross the only bridge over the Atlantic to the Isle of Seil for Sea Life Adventures which is available to take groups out on wildlife watching trips and adventures out to the Corryvreckan, the third largest whirlpool in the world.
The Sea Life Adventure boat also has a heated wheelhouse to keep visitors warm on the sea this winter.
Coastal Connection
01631 565 833
07919 615 210
www.coastal-connection.co.uk
Sea Life Adventures
01852 300 203
07771920621
www.sealife-adventures.com
..ends…
www.oban.org.uk
Notes for editors:
Travelling to Oban:
Oban is closer than you think….!
- By car: Oban is easily reached from Central Scotland by taking the A82 which skirts the west side of Loch Lomond. Around three hours from Edinburgh or Glasgow. Two hours from Stirling.
- By rail: By rail, the journey takes you along the world-famous West Highland Line, from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban.
- For full details on where to stay, what to do and see please visit www.oban.org.uk
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Pure Shores PR. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Pauline Clifford (was Foster)
Email: pauline@pureshorespr.co.uk
Website: http://www.oban.org.uk
