Oban War and Peace Museum
The Argyll and Bute region of Scotland is home to a quaint town by the name of Oban, and even though the population is small throughout the year, it is filled with thousands of visitors during the holidays. Located on Oban Bay, the town is popular with visitors and tourists due to its picturesque landscapes and views, as well as the numerous noteworthy attractions that are located in Oban, such as the Kilmartin Glen, McCraig’s Tower, Cathedral of St Columba, Dunstaffnage Castle, Oban Distillery and the Oban War and Peace Museum. Visitors to the Oban War and Peace Museum will be able to see the history of the town unfold before their eyes.
How did the museum come about? In 1995, the end of World War II was celebrated with a 50 year anniversary display which was named “Oban at War”. Due to the overwhelming response of the public, the museum was created and moved to its current location on the North Pier in 1996. The museum is therefore dedicated to the role Oban Bay played during the war, the soldiers that occupied the town, and the various other historical landmarks and times of Oban.
The Oban War and Peace Museum does not receive any funding and is operated by volunteers. Donations received from the public go towards the maintenance of the museum, as do donations made by visitors. The museum is not only focused on war times, with items such as the Thomson-Houston Projector, which was used in the local cinema until a fire burnt the cinema down in 1958, is also on display in the museum. Other exhibits, filled with artifacts, photographs, documents and military uniforms, display the heritage of the town. Visitors can look forward to military hat collections, scale boat and aircraft models and audio and visual displays that brings history back to life.
Disabled visitors are invited to explore the Oban War and Peace Museum as it is only one level and has a disabled bathroom facility available, while able-bodied visitors are requested to make use of the public facilities on the North Pier. There is a small gift shop within the museum where visitors can purchase gifts and souvenirs. The many restaurants and cafés on the pier will be able to offer visitors tasty meals and refreshments after touring the museum and its many historical wonders.
