My husband Ian and I booked a weekend break to the seaside town of Oban in June 2014. This attractive and atmospheric town, in Argyll and Bute in Scotland, has always been one of our favourite destinations for a short trip away to relax and unwind.

Oban (translated from ‘the little bay’ in Gaelic) is beautiful. With a horseshoe-shaped bay and busy harbour, the town has much to admire. It’s a diamond on the west coast of Scotland, close to spectacular hill walks such as peak Ben Cruachan, as well as some of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides islands; from Oban, there are regular ferry crossings to the Isle of Barra, Colonsay, Lismore, Tiree and Mull.

When we arrived at The Queens Hotel in Oban, we were delighted to find that it was a pretty white Victorian building that looked like a fairytale castle—I made a mental note to return again on Valentine’s Day. We had a great view from our room, looking out over the water. The sun was setting and the water was streaked with gold. The view along the bay was stunning; the whole area aglow.

A short walk took us to the harbour, the heart of the town with a variety of restaurants that specialise in seafood like Oban Seafood Hut (The Green Shack), which sells freshly caught fish. We had booked restaurant Ee-Usk for dinner well in advance, knowing Oban was a popular place for eating out.

After a refreshing gin and tonic, we consulted the menu. My husband chose oysters and I asked him for a sample: it was my first ever taste of them, but definitely not my last.

After dinner, with our bellies full, we giggled, took photos and walked arm-in-arm along the jetty. We had escaped from reality. I felt blessed.

Rates at the Best Western Muthu Queens Oban Hotel start from £74 a night, thequeenshotel-oban.co.uk