Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.

HUGH MC MILLAN
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Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.

McCaig's Tower is a prominent tower on Battery Hill overlooking the town of Oban in Argyll, Scotland. It is built of Bonawe granite taken from the quarries across Airds Bay, on Loch Etive, from Muckairn, with a circumference of about 200 metres with two-tiers of 94 lancet arches 44 on the bottom and 50 on top.

The structure was commissioned by the wealthy Philanthropic banker, John Stuart McCaig.

John Stuart McCaig was his own architect. Work started on the tower in 1897.

McCaig's intention was to provide a lasting monument to his family, and provide work for the local stonemasons during the winter months. McCaig was an admirer of Roman and Greek architecture, and had planned for an elaborate structure, based on the Colosseum in Rome. His plans allowed for a museum and art gallery with a central tower to be incorporated. Inside the central tower he planned to commission statues of himself, his siblings and their parents. His death brought an end to construction with only the outer walls completed.

The empty shell of the tower dominates the Oban skyline, and is now a public garden with magnificent views to the islands of Kerrera, Lismore and Mull.


Oban. An t-Òban in Scottish Gaelic meaning The Little Bay is a resort town within the Argyll and Bute council area of Scotland. Despite its small size, it is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William. During the tourist season, the town can play host to up to 25,000 people. Oban occupies a setting in the Firth of Lorn. The bay is a near perfect horseshoe, protected by the island of Kerrera; and beyond Kerrera, the Isle of Mull. To the north, is the long low island of Lismore, and the mountains of Morvern and Ardgour.

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Taken on: May 10, 2016
Sets appears in:   • Oban, Scotland.   
Groups appears in:   • Scotland    • Historical Buildings and Landmarks (No Limits)    more » • Old And Beautiful (buildings ,barns, shacks, and abandoned homes    • Historic City Centres (post 1....1)    • Official National Geographic Group    • Scotland in Picture    « less
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II, f/4.5, 1/400 sec, 100mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Aperture: f/4.5
Exposure Time: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Focal Length: 100mm
ISO: 100
Exposure Bias: -1/3 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Manual
Color Space: sRGB
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