This weekend, my family flew to visit me. We spent the weekend in Oban, a town along the west coast of Scotland.
First, we went to McCaig's Tower, which is a stone circle with archways all the way around. Inside this structure, we met a cat which was so friendly it must have been the pet of a local family.
In true Scottish fashion, the weather was rainy off and on all morning. After walking around the tower, we drove down into the town and went to the free town museum.
This volunteer-run exhibit had the history of McCaig's tower, as well as the town's involvement in World War II. Because Oban is a port city, their location was used as a strategic position for the British army. The museum has ship models, uniforms, and photographs of the townsmen who enlisted.
Our next stop was the Oban Chocolate Factory. There wasn't any production on Sunday, so we were limited to the shop and cafe. Every drink is served with a complimentary molded chocolate, as if we weren't satisfied with the fondue we'd ordered!
The last attraction we visited was the Oban Distillery, the 5th oldest and 4th smallest in Scotland. Their whisky is recognized as one of the best in Scotland. My dad and I went on an hour long tour of the facilities, where we learned all about the distillery process and were able to taste two of their most popular whiskies. Our guide explained to us that every step contributes to the distinct flavors of their whisky. I was most surprised to learn that the peat added to the fires which dry the barley has such a large impact on the taste. This means that, truly, no whisky made in any other country could truly replicate the ones made in Oban, Scotland.
Driving back to Stirling from Oban was a treat in itself. The winding roads were a little scary but I was so happy that we got to see some furry friends along the way.
