Oban in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Watching, Waiting and Warning
Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 27, 2018
1. Watching, Waiting and Warning Marker
Air Faire
Watching, Waiting and Warning
Soldiers on the wall walk scanned sea and land for enemy attacks and alerted their officers in the guard room above you.
Firing Through Fishtails
When the castle was built, arrow slits — like the one to your left — allowed soldiers with crossbows to shoot at anyone attacking or besieging the castle. Their 'fish-tail' shape widened the archer's view and field of fire. After guns became available in the 1400s, some slits were altered to make smaller openings. You can see some gunholes here in the west tower and in the curtain wall from the courtyard.
Friends and Felons
This room in the tower might have been used as accommodation for guests or a favoured member of the lord's retinue. Prisoners languished in the dungeon below.
( photo caption )
Below: This west tower, like the donjon, was added after the castle was built in the 1200s.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.
Location. 56° 27.279′ N, 5° 26.279′ W. Marker is in Oban, Scotland, in Argyll and Bute.
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Regionally, this marker is in Scotland’s Argyll & the Isles. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, on the Atlantic Arc, in Europe, on the Celtic Fringe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Core of the Castle (a few steps from this marker); A Hidden Haven (a few steps from this marker); Justice and Joviality (within shouting distance of this marker); Behind the Walls (within shouting distance of this marker); A Towering Outlook (within shouting distance of this marker); Dunstaffnage Castle (within shouting distance of this marker); Falls of Lora (approx. 2.7 kilometers away); McCaigs Tower (approx. 4.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oban.
Also see . . . Dunstaffnage Castle on Wikipedia.
Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 27, 2018
2. Watching, Waiting and Warning Marker
Next to a fishtail arrow slit
Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 27, 2018
3. Remains of the West Tower
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 14, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
