POSTCARD SEVEN
From Oban – Scotland's Biggest Surprise
Sometimes the place you planned to visit for a few hours becomes the place you never want to leave.
Sitting on Scotland's spectacular west coast, Oban is often called the Gateway to the Isles. But for many travellers, it becomes much more than a stop along the way. Its bustling harbour, fresh sea air, island ferries and warm Highland atmosphere have a way of turning an ordinary visit into something unforgettable.
What a Big Surprise is a postcard to the town that surprised us more than any other place in Scotland.
WHAT A BIG SURPRISE
Inspired by Oban – Scotland's beautiful gateway to the islands.
ABOUT THE SONG
Every journey has one destination that exceeds every expectation.
For us, that place was Oban.
Nestled on Scotland's west coast, Oban combines everything we love about the Highlands: a lively harbour, dramatic coastal scenery, fresh seafood, island ferries and breathtaking sunsets over the Atlantic. What began as a short stop quickly became one of our favourite places in Scotland.
What a Big Surprise celebrates that unexpected discovery. As one of the fourteen musical postcards from Scotland – A Love Letter, it reminds us that the places we remember most are often the ones we knew the least about before arriving.
SONGWRITER'S NOTE
Before visiting Oban, I expected a pleasant harbour town. What I found was something completely different.
There was an energy about the place that immediately drew me in. Watching the ferries come and go, climbing up to McCaig's Tower, walking along the waterfront and looking out towards the islands—it all felt effortlessly welcoming.
Every time I think about Scotland, Oban is one of the first places that comes to mind. That's why What a Big Surprise became my postcard to a town that completely exceeded every expectation.
Lyrics:
Yeah… yeah…
Rolling down the coast
West coast road, windows down
Sunset fading, golden town
Didn’t know what we would find
Just a place to pass the time
Ocean air, open sky
Didn’t even wonder why
We just drove, mile by mile
Then we saw those harbor lights
Oh… didn’t see it coming
No, I didn’t see it coming
What a big sur-prise, sur-prise, sur-prise
O-ban shi-ning in my eyes
O-ban, O-ban, say my name
O-ban, O-ban, feel that flame
What a big sur-prise, don’t think twice
O-ban got me pa-ra-dise
Yeah, O-ban… feels so right
O-ban day and O-ban night
Pulled in slow, golden light
Felt like home in just one night
Every street, every sound
Something pulling me around
Didn’t plan to stay that long
Now I don’t know where I belong
Funny how one place can be
Everything you didn’t see
Oh… didn’t see it coming
No, I didn’t see it coming
What a big sur-prise, sur-prise, sur-prise
O-ban shi-ning in my eyes
O-ban, O-ban, say my name
O-ban, O-ban, feel that flame
What a big sur-prise, don’t think twice
O-ban got me pa-ra-dise
Yeah, O-ban… feels so right
O-ban day and O-ban night
Didn’t know, didn’t know
One turn could change it all
Now I know, now I know
I’ll be back when I fall
What a big sur-prise, sur-prise, sur-prise
O-ban shi-ning in my eyes
O-ban, O-ban, say my name
O-ban, O-ban, feel that flame
What a big sur-prise, don’t think twice
O-ban got me pa-ra-dise
Yeah, O-ban… feels so right
O-ban day and O-ban night
O-ban, O-ban…
Yeah, O-ban…
What a big sur-prise
Every song tells a story. Continue your journey through Scotland with the next postcard from the Highlands.