Oban Distillery

The smell hits you first - that sweet, smoky warmth that means you're properly inside a working distillery. Oban sits right on the waterfront in the town itself, which is both brilliant and a bit of a surprise if you're expecting some remote Highland hideaway. Since 1794, they've been making whisky here, and the whole operation still runs in the original stone buildings looking out over the bay.

The tour takes you through the lot - the copper stills, the warehouses, the whole shebang - and ends with a dram of their signature single malt. It's a fairly standard distillery experience, truth told, but the location redeems it. You're not trudging out to the back of nowhere; you can grab lunch in town beforehand and a coffee after. The whisky itself is solid rather than spectacular - a touch of smoke, some maritime character - and worth trying if you're into that sort of thing.

Families with teenagers will get something from it; younger kids might find it a bit dull once the initial novelty wears off. Real whisky enthusiasts should check what they're releasing before heading in - sometimes it's worth the detour, sometimes not. Allow a couple of hours including the tasting.

If you're staying at Oban Holiday Park or any of the nearby caravan sites - Seaview and North Ledaig are closest to the water - it's an easy afternoon activity when the weather turns or you fancy something indoors. A shot of Scottishness without leaving the town centre.