Comments on: McCaig’s Folly, Oban, Argyll

By: Oban and surrounds | Speaking plane-ly

Oban and surrounds | Speaking plane-ly — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:45:30 +0000

[…] and the light plays on the harbour water, constantly changing. On the hill overlooking the town is McCaig’s Folly, a colosseum-looking structure that serves as a focal point and not much else. Taken all together […]

By: ‘Features and Follies’ of Scotland – The Folly Flaneuse

‘Features and Follies’ of Scotland – The Folly Flaneuse — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000

[…] McCaig’s tower at Oban, for instance, is a feature, not a folly, as it was originally intended as an ’eminently practical’ museum. According to Fenwick’s rules, the Wallace Monument at Stirling is a commemorative tower, not a folly. […]

By: Editor

Editor — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 15:42:21 +0000

In reply to GRANVILLE D CLARKE. Hello Granville. Great memories! Very pleased to hear that you painted the McCaig Tower early in your career, and I hope it brings great pleasure to whomever owns it today.

By: GRANVILLE D CLARKE

GRANVILLE D CLARKE — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 14:30:02 +0000

THE OBAN FOLLY I FIRST ENCOUNTERED WHILST APPEARING IN FOLK CABERET AT THE MACTAVISHES KITCHENS ROOM IN THE LATE SIXTIES WHEN IN THE FOGGY DEW-O ..AND LATER WITH A DIFFERENT PARTNER IN FOGGY ..A STUNNING MONUMENT AND POSITION WHICH DOMINATES THE HILL-SIDE VISTA AND ONE OF MY EARLY PAINTINGS TO START MY CAREER AS A PROFILE WATERCOLOURIST -OBAN WAS VERY INSPIRING PLACE GRANVILLE DANNY CLARKE

By: Editor

Editor — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 13:04:32 +0000

In reply to Moira Garland. Hello Moira. It was certainly an ambitious project, and as you say a great story behind it. Thanks for getting in touch.

By: Moira Garland

Moira Garland — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 10:43:29 +0000

Well, that’s a bit different as a folly! And a story with some twists and turns, really interesting. And a lovely place to visit. Thank you.

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 15:50:17 +0000

In reply to Valerie Greaves. Hello Valerie. I'd love to see it from the deck of a Cal Mac. Pleased to hear you are not a boy racer like young Gwyn!

By: Valerie Greaves

Valerie Greaves — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 15:47:18 +0000

One of my favourite views in the world, from a boat going to the Hebrides. Though it takes me two days to get to Oban from Sheffield……

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 14:30:02 +0000

In reply to Gwyn. The past is a foreign country Gwyn! Great memories and you are right, it's an amazing folly and rightfully a great favourite amongst aficionados.

By: Gwyn

Gwyn — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 14:22:23 +0000

I LOVE this folly, an absolute cracker! I haven’t seen it since 1972, when one night I decided to take my brand new Rover 3500S for a spin, left London and arrived in Oban at lunchtime. Young, slim and rich. Those were the days.