Cycling UK Forum

Hi Folks.
As a family next May we intend to cycle up through The Western Isles, does anyone know of somewhere safe to leave the campervan in Oban for a week, as we intend to camp once we are on the bikes.
Cheers.

There's a minor road along the sea going roughly south round the bay. Along there is a diving centre. They seemed happy with people parking there to the point of having a fixed low parking fee. Toilets, showers etc as well.

If you look at Oban Marina Isle of Kerrera website there should be details about a garage in Oban where boat owners leave their cars for a fee. The garage may be willing to let you leave your campervan with them.
Alternatively the car park next to the swimming pool in Oban does long stay car parking, we haven't heard of any problems and we have left our car there without issue previously. However there is no obvious security around it. Liz

I left my car at the sports centre for a week which is free and used by many.

Brilliant, cheers for that info...

Oban Car Hire, safe and obliging, daily fee. I have used them twice, and you know you have somewhere before you arrive.
Email is enquiries@obancarhire.co.uk

mattsccm wrote:There's a minor road along the sea going roughly south round the bay. Along there is a diving centre. They seemed happy with people parking there to the point of having a fixed low parking fee. Toilets, showers etc as well.

Puffin Dive centre £3.50 /day last time I used them.

Also Also Hazelbank Motors A bit more expensive

I must confess, I would be happier knowing it was parked somewhere safe and sound. One less thing to think about, when laying awake at 02.00, in a tent 3 Islands away. Lol.

For clarity, Oban Car Hire and Hazelbank, both detailed above, are the same place.

I went from Mallaig, which is a bit further on, but shorter ferry ride. I stayed at the West Highland Hotel which is a couple of hundred yards from the ferry. I enquirer about leaving the car there for a week and they said that would be fine for a small nominal fee. In the end a friend that likes walking and taking photos came along and so we took the car and didn't leave it for the week, but we did use it overnight and I would have no problem leaving it there for longer

I only came back last week and missing it already so think I'll probably go back at some point

I leave mine regularly at the sports centre and never had any issues. The car park is signed for ferry travellers use and it's free. It does get busy if there is a major event taking place on the islands.

Go on faceberk and ask someone in Oban if you can park on their drive for an agreed fee .
We always offer £20 / week.
We've done this twice, not in Oban, but it worked out fine.
The second family washed the car for us before we picked up ...
Just Street View the house before you turn up .... comfort zone thing as i'm sure you can work out !

Hedgemonkey wrote:I must confess, I would be happier knowing it was parked somewhere safe and sound. One less thing to think about, when laying awake at 02.00, in a tent 3 Islands away. Lol.

Quite, a campervan is a different proposition to a family saloon. The latter parked in a side street, providing it wasn't in anyone's way, wouldn't attract much attention, but a campervan would be a temptation to thieves.

The parking at the dive centre isn't undercover but the site has 24hrs presence and it's 2-3 miles out of the town centre at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac.

Would second Hazelbanks motors/Oban Car Hire. We used them for our Hebrides tour. They were good and accommodating and not that far away from the ferry terminal. Certainly in my mind worth the £40 a week for the peace of mind of knowing the car is in a secure place, especially an expensive camper van.

One thing to check out is the opening times for the garages etc. When I was looking at using them they closed before I was planning to arrive and did not open until after my ferry was set to leave, so I would have had to arrive earlier to be able to use them. In the end I simply left my car on the road near to the "sea food temple" which runs south along the coast from the ferry port. I've done that a few times now with no issues, but I was only leaving a car, not a camper van.