The Oban Times was founded by 18 year old James Miller in July 1861, who ran the family stationer and printer business after his father died. Miller originally established the Oban Pictorial Monthly Magazine, which in 1866 became a four-page weekly broadsheet, the Oban Times.

In 1881, James Miller died aged only 38 and the paper was purchased by Edinburgh stationer Duncan Cameron for £4000. He put his son Duncan in charge then when he moved away, his younger brother Waverley took over. Their sister Flora assumed control when Waverley died in a drowning accident in Loch Linnhe in 1891, aged 23 years. The Oban Times flourished under Flora, who, having married Police Superintendent George Macaulay in 1911, became best known in the area as Mrs Macaulay.

The Oban Times was viewed as the county paper for Argyllshire and was also read by Scots abroad.

In 1924, Flora Macaulay’s brother Duncan retired back to Oban to help his sister with the business. His youngest son, Alan Cameron became editor after World War Two and later managing director and the paper underwent rapid modernisation.

In 1976, the paper was purchased by Johnston Press, and was sold by them several years later to the Bennett family.