Residents of Argyll will be familiar with the fleet of distinctive green and yellow Oban Distribution Services vans and the friendly drivers who bring packages to their doors. For those sending goods between Glasgow and the west coast, ODS is now making deliveries easier, faster and more affordable with the addition of a weekly three-day service directly connecting Glasgow with Oban and Fort William.
After a successful trial period, owner David Flanagan has announced that the service is now permanent, operating Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Businesses, tradespeople and households in Argyll have welcomed the move, and due to popular demand from Lochaber residents, David recently expanded his delivery service area to include Fort William.
“It was just a natural expansion of what I was already doing,” explained David. “I had customers asking if I could pick stuff up for them because they’d ordered furniture online, but the sellers wanted a couple of hundred pounds to deliver to Oban. I also saw that local joiners needed a better delivery solution for fragile items such as glass. So it’s something I’ve taken on, and from there it has snowballed.”


A key feature of the service is the Glasgow-based depot that ODS uses, where goods can be dropped off in person or delivered for dispatch. This eliminates last-mile delivery fees often tacked on by national carriers and gives senders greater control over dispatch timing. ODS also delivers from Oban and Fort William to Glasgow for those needing to send goods the other way.
Currently, ODS uses a long-wheelbase Sprinter panel van to transport goods, but a major upgrade is on the horizon. David has ordered a brand-new low-loader Luton van, expected to arrive in late March, significantly boosting the load capacity and enabling the transport of larger, heavier items—including furniture and construction materials.
Anyone who lives here knows the difficulty of getting deliveries between Oban or Fort William and Glasgow, from exorbitant fees to refusal to deliver to certain postcodes. ODS pricing is competitive and accessible. The company also offers discounts for multi-item shipments and recurring deliveries—ideal for small online retailers, tradespeople or families relocating. Prices start from £8.95 per box and £40 per pallet, to £80 for a large piece of furniture. And the reviews are in, with customers calling ODS “Best in the West” and praising the team for their cost effective service, gracious drivers and excellent communication.
“The feedback has already been fantastic,” David shared. “We had a customer last week that needed a wardrobe picked up from Glasgow. The company was down south and while shipping up to Glasgow was free, shipping it from Glasgow to Oban was going to cost her about £200. But I said I can get you that for £80.”
David praised his excellent team, who work regular routes so they know the area well and can build customer rapport.
“They can give you personal assistance,” David said. “For example, if you’re going away you can actually speak to your area driver and ask them to hold items or deliver them to an alternative spot, such as a neighbour or family member’s house, if that is permitted by the sending company. It’s all about that individual service.”
While currently focused on Glasgow, Oban and Fort William, Flanagan emphasised that the network covers most “everywhere in between”—such as Tyndrum, Crianlarich and Ballachulish, as well as more rural locations.
“Our mission is simple,” said David. “Provide a fast, reliable and fairly priced delivery option for everyone, whether you’re sending a single parcel, a load of furniture or a full pallet of supplies. The West Highlands deserve better logistics and we’re here to deliver it.”
Get in touch today on 07746 604227 or email obandistributionservices@btinternet.com
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