Slate from the islands was exported all over the world with over 500 quarriers once working here

Around 20 miles south of Oban lies a collection of small islands just offshore. Seil is accessed from the mainland by bridge, and a short ferry journey from Seil takes you to Luing (pronounced ‘ling’). Several smaller islands, including Easdale, Lunga and Scarba, surround these. Many of the islands were once quarried for slate, and this legacy is visible in the atoll-like crescents in the islands and exposed slate.

Although easily accessible from Oban, these islands have a slower pace of life and are a wonderful place to relax within reasonably easy reach of shops and restaurants. Ellenabeich, the main settlement on Seil, was once a slate quarry that closed in the 1880s, and the village has been relatively unchanged wince then. A string of white houses sits at the foot of crags on the edge of the water, where exposed slate can be seen fringing the shoreline. Although the area has a small population, there is a strong community spirit and a community hall on Easdale, opened in 2003, is worth a visit just to see the architecture.

Kilchattan Chapel (now ruined) on Luing makes a lovely viewpoint from which you can admire the southern end of Luing and Scarba beyond.

The Atlantic Islands Centre on Luing is a gallery, exhibition centre, café and restaurant, and gives spectacular views down the coastline.

This lovely collection of islands provides a welcome contrast to the nearby towns of Fort William and Oban, and make a great place to base yourself for a peaceful break within easy reach of the towns’ amenities.