McCaigs

McCaigs is a Scottish surname of Gaelic origin, most closely associated with the western Highlands and Islands, particularly the town of Oban. The name has given rise to notable landmarks and local history connected to the McCaig family, with McCaig’s Tower being the best-known example.

McCaig’s Tower, also known as McCaig’s Folly, is a prominent monument on Battery Hill overlooking Oban. It was commissioned by John Stuart McCaig, a local banker and patron of the arts, in the late 19th century. McCaig intended the structure to honor his family and to provide employment for artists during a period of economic hardship. Construction began in the 1890s but was never completed according to the original plans, and the project stalled after McCaig’s death. Today the tower remains a distinctive landmark in Oban, built of local stone with a circular, terrace-like layout and a central tower that rises above the town. The site is accessible to the public and offers wide views across Oban, the Firth of Lorn, and the surrounding coastline. The tower and its surrounding area are popular with visitors and residents alike and are frequently referenced in local histories as an enduring but unfinished tribute to the McCaig family.