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All the United Kingdom Scotland Oban McCaig’s Tower

McCaig’s Tower

Looking strangely like Rome's Colosseum, this unfinished tower has dominated the skyline for over 100 years.

Oban, Scotland

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Mike RC
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The tower dominates the town’s skyline.   Jon Royle/cc by-sa 2.0
The tower at night.   Otter/cc by-sa 3.0
The structure is now a peaceful park.   David Dixon/cc by-sa 2.0
The tower seen from the ferry.   Karora/public domain
The entrance, seen from within.   Richard Szwejkowski/cc by-sa 2.0
  Dolina / Atlas Obscura User
  Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
The view from the top is incredible!   emmeliamathews / Atlas Obscura User
  Julius Spada / Atlas Obscura User
McCaig’s Tower   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
  Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
  Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
  Dolina / Atlas Obscura User
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Started, but never finished, McCaig’s Tower is only a small part of what the designer, John McCaig, had planned for the hill that rises sharply behind Oban’s High Street and Distillery.

McCaig was born on the Isle of Lismore (which is visible from the tower) and became a wealthy banker. At age 72 in 1885, he commissioned what would become McCaig's Tower, and work continued until his death at 78 in 1902. After his death, however, the work stopped, leaving the folly as we know it now, bearing an odd resemblance to the Colosseum in Rome.

There has been much speculation since about what McCaig's ultimate plans for the structure were, but it’s accepted that a central tower containing a museum and gallery were part of them. McCaig did bequeath £1000 per year to pay for the construction of the rest of the tower, but this was challenged by his family in court. 

This curious structure, made of stone from the Bonawe quarry on Loch Etive, has dominated Oban’s skyline ever since. The tower measures over 650 feet around and has 100 lancet arches on two levels, offering stunning views in every direction. The interior is now a beautiful, peaceful park and a door on the western side leads on to a viewing platform offering magnificent views over Oban, Kerrera, Mull, Lismore, and the Firth of Lorn.

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Towers History Architectural Oddities Parks Architecture

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Located on Battery Hill, easily accessed from High Street. It’s well signposted but it’s very steep!

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Jaszmina Szendrey, Meg, Gavin, Archimedes...

  • Jaszmina Szendrey
  • Meg
  • Gavin
  • Archimedes
  • Dolina
  • Julius Spada
  • emmeliamathews

Published

September 27, 2019

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McCaig’s Tower
Duncraggan Rd
Oban, Scotland
United Kingdom
56.415658, -5.469169
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