The Oban Inn, Oban

Up some steps to a small bar. Flagstone floor (‘Easdale slate’ says WhatPub), maritime maps on plastered on the walls, jugs on ceiling, boat accelerator mounted on the floor - all rather atmospheric, a bit how the Dock Inn at Penzance used to be. I didn’t spot any access to the previously-mentioned upstairs lunge bar. GBG listed. Cask-wise 2x Fyne, tried both the Highlander (NBSS 3.5) and Jarl (4.5). Slight negatives were the flatscreen TV showing a log fire and the barmaid being somewhat perfunctory. But it’s easily Oban’s best cask pub offer, regardless.

A good sized and traditional looking pub, it’s in a very central location opposite the estuary and is split across two levels with a bar counter on each, although the upper one was not serving on our visit. The lower bar is the more atmospheric of the two, with black wooden beams on the ceiling, some type of very old stone tiles on the floor and large nautical maps on the wall as well as a brass ship’s Engine Room Telegraph affixed to the floor and other nautical artefacts such as a barometer. Plenty of old jugs hung from the ceiling, and there were a few awards as well as some brewery paraphernalia. The upstairs room despite lacking some of the character of downstairs was still very pleasant, with dark wood panelling covering the ceiling, a mixture of red patterned carpet and parquet wood on the floor, and a wood panelled bar counter with dark wood balustrade above. An old fireplace was off to one side, and there were also a few arched stained-glass windows, making it feel a little ecclesiastical. Seating was mostly fitted and padded button back benches, along with a few padded tools. Beers on tap were Fyne Ales’ Highlander and Jarl, whilst the cider was a slightly disappointing Inch’s Medium Apple and Strongbow Dark Fruit. Overall, this was certainly the favourite of the pubs that we visited in Oban.