Tucked into a bay on Scotland’s rugged west coast, Oban has quietly become the country’s biggest surprise of 2025—claiming the top spot as the UK’s most affordable and stunning seaside town.
It’s not just about the views, though they’re postcard-worthy. Oban is showing that you don’t need southern England prices to get the full coastal package: history, seafood, island escapes, and homes that won’t bankrupt you.
A Top Spot No One Saw Coming
The latest figures from the Co-operative Bank’s annual coastal affordability index have turned heads.
Oban, long considered a local treasure, officially ranked number one out of dozens of UK seaside towns for overall value. The bank’s report used hard data—average home prices, rental costs, rent-to-income ratios, and more—to calculate a score out of 10.
Oban’s score? A near-perfect 9.82.
That puts it well ahead of traditional darlings like Brighton or Cornwall’s Padstow. It’s not that Oban’s new—it’s just finally getting the spotlight it deserves.
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The Numbers Make It Clear
Here’s why Oban came out on top financially:
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Average home price: £220,458
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Average monthly rent: Around £800
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Percentage of salary spent on rent: 34.7%
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House price-to-income ratio: Significantly better than southern UK towns
To put that in perspective, homes in Cornwall now average well over £300,000. In Brighton, you’re lucky to get anything for under £450,000. And rental costs down south? Easily pushing £1,200 per month.
By comparison, Oban feels like a breath of fresh air—and not just because of the sea breeze.
Where Mountains Meet the Sea
Oban isn’t flashy, but it’s beautiful in the kind of way that sneaks up on you.
Nestled between steep hills and the sheltered Firth of Lorn, the town of just over 8,000 people offers views that shift with the light. Misty mornings give way to blazing sunsets. On clear days, you can see the Hebridean islands just offshore—like shadows dancing on the horizon.
And despite its size, Oban doesn’t feel sleepy. There’s always something happening by the harbor: fishing boats coming in, tourists lining up for ferries, buskers near the waterfront cafés.
You get the peace of a small town and the pulse of something a little bigger.
Seafood, Whisky and Arches in the Sky
Oban’s charms don’t stop at property listings. Its culture and cuisine punch well above its weight.
Start with the food. This town is often called Scotland’s seafood capital—and not without reason. The daily catch includes langoustines, scallops, and haddock that show up hours later on local plates. A fish supper here isn’t just fish and chips; it’s a full-blown experience.
The whisky scene is just as legit. Oban Distillery sits right in the heart of the town, operating since 1794. Its peaty, citrusy expressions have a global following, and the tour is one of the best around.
Up above it all stands McCaig’s Tower—a circular stone monument with 94 arches, built in the late 1800s and visible from almost everywhere in town. Locals call it Oban’s Colosseum, and the views from the top? Unreal.
Deep Roots and Ancient Stones
You don’t have to dig too deep to find history here. Oban has layers.
Just north of the town lies Dunollie Castle, with ruins that sit quietly above the sea. The site has been home to human activity for over 8,000 years. Walk through the grounds and you feel the passage of time in the moss, in the stone, in the silence.
Nearby is the ancient land of the Dalriada kings, early rulers who once made this coast a seat of power.
And then there’s the day-to-day life: old stone churches, weathered fishing piers, tight-knit communities that still gather for ceilidhs and ferry send-offs.
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Islands Within Reach
Here’s where Oban becomes more than a town—it’s a gateway.
CalMac ferries leave daily from the harbor, connecting mainland Scotland with the islands of Mull, Iona, and Staffa. In summer, the ferries hum with backpackers, families, cyclists, and day-trippers. In winter, it’s locals heading home.
Island-hopping from Oban isn’t just possible—it’s part of the town’s rhythm. And the landscapes you get access to? Wild cliffs, puffin colonies, black sand beaches, sacred abbeys. All within a few hours’ ride.
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Getting There Is Half the Fun
Despite its remote feel, Oban is surprisingly easy to reach. ScotRail offers daily trains to and from Glasgow, and the route itself is worth the fare.
The ride winds through moors, past lochs, into glens—and ends right at the water’s edge. You can get on a train in the city and step off in Oban less than three hours later with a view of the bay.
Car travel is just as scenic. Whether you come in from the east via Loch Lomond or from the north past Glencoe, it’s hard not to stop and take a photo every few miles.
Not Just a Holiday Spot
Oban’s rise isn’t only about tourism.
Yes, it’s attracting more visitors. But what sets it apart is that people live here—and can afford to. Young families, retirees, seasonal workers, remote tech employees. You’ll find them all walking the esplanade or shopping at the fishmonger.
There’s a feeling that this place is still grounded. It hasn’t been hollowed out by holiday lets or second homes—not yet, anyway.
Here’s how Oban compares to other UK seaside towns in 2025:
| Town | Avg Home Price | Avg Monthly Rent | Coastal Appeal Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oban | £220,458 | £800 | 9.82 |
| Whitby | £275,000 | £950 | 8.6 |
| Brighton | £450,000+ | £1,400 | 6.9 |
| St Ives | £375,000 | £1,200 | 7.1 |
