Holiday West Highland - Spring/Summer 2022

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SPRING / SUMMER 2022

west highland

in this issue: It’s a ‘Year of Stories’ delve into ours...

Agricultural Shows AND hIGHLAND gAMES

our hand picked Top things to see, do and experience

• Eat • do • explore • stay

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Western Isles Sailings - June 6 to June 13 2022

Paddle Steamer Cruises Aboard

WAVERLEY

The last seagoing paddle steamer in the World

Step back in time on this magnificent steamship to experience the picturesque coastal scenery of Scotland’s renowned Western Isles.

Sailings departing from Campbeltown, Colonsay, Armadale, Raasay, Oban, Kyle of Lochalsh, Portree, Gairloch and Tobermory!

Book online at waverleyexcursions.co.uk or call 0141 243 2224 for more information.

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CONTENTS 5 6 9 12 14 14 18 19 20 27 29 30 31 32 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 51 53 54 58 59 61 65 66 74 75 76 77 78 80 81 85 87 88 90 91

Oban & Lorn Coastal Connection Oban & Lorn top picks Oban: Where to next?

West coast wonders Year of story telling Loch Awe Inveraray Inveraray top picks Heart of Argyll Heart of Argyll top picks Cowal Cowal top picks Benmore Gardens Helensburgh Argyll’s secret coast Argyll’s secret coast top picks Bute Kintyre Kintyre top picks Isle of Ghia Islay & Jura Islay and Jura top picks Colonsay Coll & Tiree Coll & Tiree top picks Mull & Iona Mull & Iona top picks Lochaber Outdoor Capital top picks West Highland peninsula West Highland peninsula to picks Road to the Isles Road to the Isles top picks Great Glen Skye Skye top picks Outer Hebrides Outer hebrides to picks Highland games Agricultural shows Food fromour region

You can find us online at holidaywesthighland.co.uk, and keep in touch using the details below. Have a wonderful stay, The Holiday West Highland Team

CONTACT

ADVERTISING: Advertising Director Nicky Murphy

nmurphy@obantimes.co.uk

Suzanne Taylor staylor@wyvexmedia.co.uk

Fiona MacInnes fmacinnes@wyvexmedia.co.uk

OFFICE: Wyvex Media: Oban 01631 568000

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WELCOME

Welcome to the Summer 2022 edition of Holiday West Highland, your guide to the beautiful west highlands and islands region, a place that is so enchanting that one visit will never be enough.

We are lucky enough to live and work here and when we have some time on our hands, we do just what you are doing now; we down tools and get out amongst the wide open spaces – coastlines peppered with sandy bays and rugged hills that boast beautiful views across towns and villages towards the majestic mountains and islands beyond.

We hope you enjoy discovering the hidden gems within our landscape too.

The West Highlands boasts a rich culture of local characters, fantastic food and drink, exciting activities, places of historic and natural interest and unique wildlife. The past two years have been difficult to say the least but as our vibrant local businesses get back on their feet, we are so looking forward to once again showcasing the hospitality for which this part of Scotland is famous.

The summer months don’t guarantee sunshine but with 3,750km of coastline, 23 inhabited islands and 40 lochs, we do offer the perfect backdrop for exploring the region under your own steam.

Whilst it is handy to have a car, you have access to a great network of ferries operated by CalMac and public transport provided by West Coast Motors throughout Argyll and the Isles and Shiel Buses across the Highlands. Why not hop over to one of our beautiful islands that can be best appreciated on foot, on a bike, or even a kayak. ‘Pedaddling’ is this year’s buzz word from Wild About Argyll, so think about hiring a bicycle or experience the joys of kayaking, paddle boarding or swimming.

As restrictions relax after a period of enforced separation from other people, a West Highland holiday lets you decide about distance. It is up to you whether you choose to enjoy solitude and our glorious wild open spaces, or seek out the hustle and bustle of community.

If you love being in the great outdoors and need a real boost for both your physical and mental wellbeing, you’ve come to the right place.

Have a wonderful stay, The Holiday West Highland Team

Front page photograph: Summer roadtrip adventure cups during sunrise at the Old Man of Storr (www.shutterstock.com)

Oban Bustling with life and boasting some of the best views in Scotland, Oban has oodles to offer. Within walking distance of the Victorian town centre you can explore castles and cafes, enjoy brunch or the beach, and take your time browsing around the shops and uncovering local history and culture.

ships and trains which brought wellknown visitors including Queen Victoria, who described it as “one of the finest spots we have seen”.

Oban confirmed its strategic importance in the Second World War, when it played a vital role in the Battle of the Atlantic, now remembered at the War and Peace Museum, which holds a collection of local artefacts and marks important events in the region’s past.

A walk along the shoreline is a treat in itself. Head west along the esplanade and you will pass St Columba’s Cathedral and the town’s War Memorial before finding the 15th-century ruins of Dunollie Castle, an historic stronghold for the MacDougall clan that is now a highlight of the town’s cultural scene, and home to a 1745 house museum, pretty gardens, a cafe and a well-curated gift shop.

Known as the gateway to the isles, Oban’s sheltered bay makes a perfect harbour – there are step-ashore pontoons at the North Pier and CalMac ferries which glide in to the main terminal to take visitors on further-flung adventures – and the town has a vibrancy all of its own.

Further west is Ganavan Sands, Oban’s popular beach, and the starting point for the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail (one of many watersports adventures available close by). Here, urban life feels far away.

A cycle path connects the town to the neighbouring village of Dunbeg, home to the family-friendly Ocean Explorer Science Centre and Dunstaffnage Castle, a fortress once held by Robert the Bruce.

Oban’s status as the unofficial capital of the west Highlands is relatively recent.

It grew around a whisky distillery which opened in 1794 and is still open to visitors today. The town gained further momentum with the arrival of steam

Oban is popular with artists and performers, and its venues often attract better-known names than their intimate space might lead you to expect. The Corran Halls has a varied programme of shows, from ballet to stand-up comedy,

and refurbished venue The View is a good place to head if you want a truly Scottish music and dance experience.

The Oban Phoenix cinema shows the latest new release films and also organises special events, while Atlantis Leisure is packed with options for active families, with a play park outside and swimming pool and soft play area indoors.

Alternatively head for the shops, and enjoy browsing in historic waterfront buildings – there’s everything you need here, from quirky independent shops selling gifts and local produce, to outlets offering any outdoor equipment you need for your holiday.

At weekends there is live music in many of the bars, best enjoyed after a hearty meal of locally-sourced food, perhaps scallops, prawns or a lobster – apt choices in the sea food capital of Scotland (though with a range of international restaurants there are plenty of other choices on the menu).

As well as the regular Caledonian MacBrayne ferries, Oban plays host to some magnificent tall ships, ex-herring drifters, cruise liners, and occasionally the Waverley paddle steamer.

One of the most memorable features of a trip to Oban is its magical sunsets.

Every evening is different and McCaig’s Tower, the Colisseum-like structure at the top of the town, is the ideal point from which to enjoy one. Soak up the light and look out to the Isle of Kerrera and the hills of Mull beyond.

Kerrera The island of Kerrera is so close to Oban that you can almost touch it, and it is easy to reach via a short ferry trip. It is tranquil, scenic contrast from town, and an accessible first taste of the Hebrides, with a tea room, restaurant and bunkhouse. At just three miles long, is easy to explore via the footpath that loops the coastline and passes the formidable Gylen castle.

Diary Date: Oban International Sea Shanty Festival Friday 24th- Sunday 26th June A weekend of rip-roaring songs and music of the sea await you courtesy of great musicians from France, England and Scotland, performing just for you amidst the spectacular scenery of the Western Highlands. obanshanty.org.uk

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Coastal Connection

The west coast of Scotland has some of the most stunning scenery in Britain.

One of the best ways to appreciate the beauty in this area is to see it by boat. Coast Connection provides a range of trips with something to suit

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everyone, whether you want to go north to Skye or south to Lismore.

The Wildlife and Castle Trip lasts for two hours and departs from Oban.

You will hear about the local area and its history, and spot wildlife such as seals, porpoise and birdlife.

If you’re looking for a longer trip, the Tobermory Day Trip is the one for you! Again leaving Oban, this trip takes you up the Sound of Mull, passing Duart Castle and Lismore

Just one of the 5 star reviews:

Amazing Boat Tour to Tobermory My family booked a tour with Cameron out to Tobermory. It was an amazing experience.

Lighthouse, to the colourful fishing village. You will have three hours in Tobermory to explore and have some lunch before returning to Oban. The day trip lasts approximately five-and-a-half hours. For the extra special occasion, Coastal Connection offers two-hour, half-day and full-day private charters.

Even in the “off season” we were able to see sea birds like oyster catchers, seals, and deer! It was beautiful. The town of Tobermory was picturesque and a fun place to visit.

Missed ferries and inter island transfers are also catered for.

Scotia P,

coastal-connection.co.uk

Cameron was very knowledgeable about the wildlife and where the best places to see them were.

Would highly recommend if you are in Oban!

Tripadvisor Review, March 2022

OBAN PHOENIX CINEMA about us We are a two-screen independent cinema showing everything from the latest blockbusters to arthouse and livestreamed theatre from around the world.

See what's on www.obanphoenix.com 01631 562905 140 George St. Oban PA34 5NX Registered Scottish Charity: SC042407

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oban & lorn

Top things to see, do and experience Mccaigs Tower

Scotland’s Seafood Capital

Dominating Oban’s skyline, McCaig’s tower was built in the late 19th century by local banker John Stuart McCaig, partly to provide work for local stone masons. It is striking to look up at and even better from inside.

Oban’s title as Scotland’s seafood capital is well-earned, with a host of restaurants offering fresh local fare. For an al fresco experience, stroll along the south pier and take your pick of the day’s catch.

Dunollie Castle and Museum

Beaches

For centuries this ivy-covered ruin was the base from which Clan MacDougall ruled the region. The house below is now a thriving museum, with lovely grounds and activities for visitors of all ages.

Walk, run or cycle the nine miles of towpath along Scotland’s most beautiful shortcut, which joins Loch Fyne to Loch Crinan. Nature and Victorian engineering side-byside.

dunollie.org

www.scottishcanals.co.uk

Boat Trips

Dunstaffnage

Oban is the gateway to the Isles, and some – such as Lismore, Easdale and Kerrera – are close enough for a day trip and can be reached by ferry in moments. A choice of wildlifewatching trips depart locally, too – look out for seals, basking sharks, dolphins and much more.

The village of Dunbeg is home to Dunstaffnage Castle, a MacDougall stronghold that played an important role in national history. Walk around the marina and secluded beaches, and visit the neighbouring Ocean Explorer Centre.

Oban War and Peace Museum

Shopping & Afternoon Tea

This tiny museum isn’t just for those with a passion for military history, its artefacts and exhibitions offer broad insight into Oban’s past. A good stop for visitors tracing local family connections too.

From tiny gift shops to galleries, trendy chain stores and even a chocolate shop, Oban offers a scenic town-centre shopping experience.

Enhance the experience with afternoon tea (and homebaking) in a seafront hotel or tea room.

www.obanmuseum.org.uk

www.bid4oban.co.uk

Atlantis Leisure

The Rockfield Centre

Get active with the family whatever the weather. Atlantis boasts two swimming pools, a soft play area, climbing wall, outdoor courts and many more sports and classes. Plus community playgrounds outside.

A community hub with a programme of live performances, workshops, classes and exhibitions hosted throughout the year. Learn more about local arts, history and heritage.

Check out the website for events taking place throughout the summer.

www.atlantisleisure.co.uk

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oceanexplorercentre.org

www.therockfieldcentre.org.uk

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Where to next?

You’ve just arrived in Oban and checked in to your accommodation, what now? The sunsets on the west coast of Scotland truly are a spectacle to behold and for the best vantage point in the town, a walk up to McCaig’s Tower is a must! Either that or a walk along the esplanade to look out across the pontoons to Kerrera and Mull will highlight the spectacular vista across Oban Bay. A lively pub scene awaits you should you wish to experience live music and dance the night away. Many of Oban’s bars and pubs offer a beer garden for extra space on a nice day. Markie Dans, The Oban Inn and The Lorne are among the many bars with regular live acts of a weekend. The View boasts a balcony with magnificent seaward views as well as an extensive cocktail menu.

It also wouldn’t be a trip to Oban without a tour of Oban Distillery or at the very least a nip of Scotland’s finest whisky.

For the foodies in your party, Oban has it all. Local produce is high on the menu in many of the fine establishments and you can even see the day’s catch being landed at the pier. For al fresco seafood head to Station Pier and The Green Shack or MacGillivrays Seafood. Otherwise bookings at Eeusk, The Waterfront Fishouse Restaurant, Coast, Etive Restaurant or Cuan Mor will provide you with fresh seafood and

other luscious local produce and Scottish fare.

At least one of your meals should involve a visit to one of the many fine chip shops in Oban. Locals have their favourites but let us know who you choose as having the crispiest batter and the best chips.

Dunollie Castle and Museum is a popular hit with families – explore the 1745 house museum, woodlands, castle ruin, weaving shed and Draper’s Shop before a visit to the Kettle Garden Café. Other cafes that should be top of the list for coffee and cake lovers include Roxy’s, Café Shore, Julies, The Perle and Bossards. Delectable afternoon teas also available!

Oban is also for adventure-seekers! For novice or keen kayakers, yachtsmen and divers, the seas around Oban offer some of the best sport in Europe, whilst the surrounding hills and glens are magnificent for walking and cycling, at any pace that takes your fancy. Ganavan Sands provides the perfect setting for a calmer paddle – be it kayak or paddleboard – or you could pop in for a swim! This is also the setting for the Oban Parkrun where you can keep to your running schedule whilst taking in the amazing backdrop of Lismore, Mull and the Morvern Peninsula. Bring the whole family for a day at the beach. Oban Cycles can

Loch Etive

The Hebridean Way

This only scratches the surface of what Oban has to offer. Head over to www.oban. org.uk for more tips and don’t forget to tag the Love Oban social accounts in all of your travel snaps and videos.

Falls of Lora

FB – @loveoban | Instagram – @loveoban_ | Twitter – @loveoban_

Loch Etive

Beinn Lora Caledonia Way to Fort William Loch Etive Loop Lismore & Loch Etive Gravel Route Glen Lonan Gravel Loop

MULL Mull Iona Ulva

TIREE

Wild About Argyll Bikepacking Trail

A Circuit Of Mull

CONNEL FERRY

Three Ferries Loop (Mull, Ardnamurchan, Morvern)

SCOTLAND’S ADVENTURE COAST

Lismore

Stob Dearg Glen Nant National Nature Reserve Oban Sportive Long/Short Bonawe Day Trip Fearnoch Loop Glen Lonan Adventure Loch Etive Loop Ben Lui

Loch Awe

Grand Tour of Lorn Gravel Loop Wild About Argyll Bikepacking Trail

West Highland Way

Ben Cruachan Oban Sportive Long Ben Cruachan Hill Climb

TAYNUILT

TYNDRUM LOWER

OBAN Oban Bay Firth of Lorn Pulpit Hill Lismore Island

Stob Binnein

FALLS OF CRUACHAN

West Highland Way

CRIANLARICH

DALMALLY

Loch Awe Ben Cruachan

L Oban Sportive Long

Loch Awe Ben Eunaich

ARDLUI

Kilchurn Castle Gravel Loop

Loch Lomond Ben Vorlich West Highland Way (by passenger ferry)

Glen Sallach Caledonia Way to Fort William Appin Loop

Loch Long

Oban to Dunbeg Lismore & Loch Etive Gravel Loop National Cycle Network Route 78

Loch Lomond

SOUTH

Caledonia Way to Campbeltown Kintyre 66 Loop

COLONSAY

Gallanach Loop Oban Sportive Long/Short Glen Lonan Adventure

Key Highland Explorer Train Station Waterbody

JURA

Hills

Wild About Argyll Bikepacking Trail National Cycle Network Route 78 Argyll Sea Kayak Trail

Leisure Cycling Route Gravel Biking Route National Cycle Network Route

KINTYRE

Kayak Trail Walking Trail Ferry Link

ISLAY

ARROCHAR & TARBET

Glen Loin & Loch Lomond Gravel Loop Three Glens Loop

Arrochar Alps Argyll Forest Park West Highland Way (by passenger ferry) West Loch Lomond Cycle Path Loch Lomond & Cowal Way

Gare Loch

GARELOCHHEAD

Loch Long Three Lochs Way Wild About Argyll Bikepacking Trail

Three Lochs Way Glen Loin & Loch Lomond Gravel Loop Three Glens Loop Wild About Argyll Bikepacking Trail Loch Lomond Explorer

HELENSBURGH UPPER Firth of Clyde John Muir Way

BUTE

Forest Park / Nature Reserve

LOCH LOMOND & THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK

Beinn a’Chochuill

NORTH

Islay Jura Colonsay

Ben More

LOCH AWE Kerrera Easdale Luing

On your next visit to Argyll & the Isles, hop on the Scotrail Highland Explorer with your bike and backpack for a solo adventure or with friends and family to start a Rail & Trail adventure across Scotland's Adventure Coast.

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of the bay to further explore the stunning coastline and islands surrounding Oban and Lorn.

If tours are more your thing then Basking Shark Scotland, Coastal Connection, Allan’s Boat Trips, Argyll Sea Tours and Oban Sea Tours will transport you from the beauty

Coll Tiree Barra South Uist

COLL

Go wild and plan your adventure at www.wildaboutargyll.co.uk

provide you with any gear you need for a two-wheeled adventure. Outside Edge and Oban Sports Shop are well stocked with any other equipment and for rental you can head to Sea Kayak Oban or keep an eye out on Facebook for Adventure Oban and their new Adventure Library.

Helensburgh Sportive Loop Three Lochs Way Wild About Argyll Bikepacking Trail Argyll Sea Kayak Trail

DUMBARTON CENTRAL River Leven Firth of Clyde Lochs & Glens Way National Cycle Network Route 7

Lochs & Glens Way Forth & Clyde Canal Towpath Glasgow to Ardrossan & onward to Five Ferries Loop Glasgow to Ardrossan & onward ferry link to Campbeltown for Caledonia Way Glasgow to Greenock Cycle Route & onward ferry to Dunoon & Cowal National Cycle Network Routes 7, 74, 75 & 754

GLASGOW QUEEN ST STATION

Breathing new life into stunning Dungallan House An exciting new era – Afternoon Tea anyone?

While Covid 19 was continuing to rear its unwanted head and bring continued uncertainty in the hospitality industry, Patrik von Arx of Varem Real Estate, Basel, Switzerland decided to take a leap of faith. Having yearned for a classic Scottish country house, Patrik visited Dungallan during a trip to Oban whilst viewing another property. The moment he set eyes on it, he was smitten.

Despite Dungallan being in arguably one of the most spectacular settings in Oban, it has required total refurbishment and no expense has been spared to transform this stunning country house into one of Argyll’s most beautiful boutique hotels.

Given Patrik’s eye for detail – evident across all of his real estate developments in Switzerland - he is the perfect custodian of this challenging, but completely visionary renovation project.

The Dungallan team is headed up by managers Kirsty and Simon who have overseen the transformation of this beautiful country house and are delighted to have the support of exceptional staff to deliver excellence in every part of the business – food, drink and housekeeping especially – all locals, which is fantastic. They are looking forward to opening the doors in early May to showcase everything that Dungallan has to offer and are excited to help their

guests with itineraries and advice so that they can make the most of their stay. The team is also really looking forward to welcoming locals to experience wonderful food and drink, including afternoon tea on the patio!

Having a selection of over 100 whiskies in addition to a range of Champagnes, wines, spirits, bottled beers, ciders and soft drinks, every visitor can be sure of the perfect accompaniment to their time relaxing in the refurbished library or on the new wraparound patio with comfortable seating, soaking up those fabulous views.

For some, the epitome of relaxation includes a sumptuous afternoon tea.

Dungallan offers delicious cakes, entirely made and decorated on site, homemade jam and an extensive range of Brodies of Edinburgh tea. To satisfy those looking for some bubbles to accompany their cakes, Prosecco is a welcome addition.

Some guests will stay in Oban for total relaxation whilst others will venture out for the day to either explore the islands of Mull, Iona, Isle of Lismore and the Isle of Kerrera or to simply jump in their car and see where the drive takes them.

Given the remoteness of some day trip destinations, Dungallan offer guests the option of a complimentary packed lunch to take on their travels.

Dungallan Country House has also

forged a great relationship with Glencruitten Golf Club and offers guests an all-inclusive golf package which covers, if required, use of the Dungallan golf clubs, driven to the course with a morning coffee, bacon roll and the obligatory miniature whisky along with bed and breakfast.

Dungallan is the most picture-perfect setting for a wedding. This industry saw an enormous turnaround in the attitude of couples looking to secure their nuptials after Covid 19. It is now quite normal and often the most popular choice to have a more intimate gathering. The guest house is the ideal setting; private gardens, 11 guest rooms, large bar and

restaurant to enjoy a bespoke buffet, a library and ample outside space to accommodate a marquee and enjoy luxury garden furniture whilst soaking up those breath-taking views. To maintain the feeling of intimacy, weddings are offered on an exclusive use basis. This ensures that the gathering has the undivided attention of management and staff in what is generally regarded as the most important event in a person’s life.

Dungallan Country House Gallanach Rd, Oban PA34 4PD Phone: 01631 563799 www.dungallanhouse.com #DungallanCountryHouseOban

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West coast Wonders For centuries, people have journeyed throughout the Highlands and Islands by boat, and even today, it can be the fastest transport available – and the most fun!

Whether your goal is to hit the high seas or make a splash in one of the many local lochs and canals, there is plenty of choice. You can rent your own boat to take a chartered wildlife cruise, or ride a ferry to the outlying islands, and if you

have access to a yacht, the selection of marinas is world class.

A dolphin near Coll

Boat rentals are a popular options for groups and families looking for a relaxing day of socialising, cruising and fishing. In many cases you can rent fishing equipment with the boat.

There is plenty of variety in the vessels themselves, from comfortable and leisurely island cruises (with an undercover option, should it rain) to high-speed motorboat adventures to destinations such as the Corryvreckan whirlpool, which you will simply never forget.

For wildlife watchers, a boat trip enables you to get up close to many of Scotland’s celebrated species, including seabirds, cetaceans and seals. Tours and group

Corryvreckan whirlpool

charter trips are offered from Oban and the larger surrounding islands, with dolphins, porpoises, sea eagles, otters and even whales among the creatures you could spot. Expert local guides enhance the experience with their knowledge of local wildlife and the best places to observe it.

An excursion is also the means to access some of the West Coast’s inaccessible islands, and to meet their shy but endearing residents. Your chances of an encounter with puffins or guillemots are high on trips to Staffa and Treshnish Isles, where you will be left equally spellbound by caves, sea stacks and other geological marvels.

Booking is always recommended, particularly for the longer trips, though it is possible to just turn up and join short trips, such as the seal-watching tours from Oban Bay, when there is space available.

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A puffin

Adventure

on the water

Easdale, once the centre of the Scottish Slate Industry, is now a conservation area popular with visitors. Just 16 miles south of Oban the area’s history is featured in The Slate Island Heritage Centre (open daily) and The Easdale Folk Museum (open weekdays only). The old quarries, particularly on car-free Easdale Island, are popular with wild swimmers. A post swim warm up is available at both The Oyster Bar and Restaurant, and The Puffer Bar and Restaurant.

Easdale’s oldest tourist attraction is the ferry which plies the three-minute crossing between the mainland and Easdale Island. Sea kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding are popular with water sports enthusiasts. Easdale’s most popular visitor attraction is the award-winning marine wildlife boat tour operator, Seafari Adventures, which offers a range of tours to suit all of the family. Seafari has a dedicated ticket office at Easdale. Tours depart throughout the day.

Wildlife on view is seasonal and as wildlife will not stick to any script no guarantees on sightings are given but with its boats are out on the water daily, skippers and crew know where to look. Dolphins, porpoise and minke whale are seen when in the area. Seals are resident on many rocks. There is a white-tailed sea eagle nest. In recent years the adults have raised chicks. Naturally there is a host of seabirds. There are both red and fallow deer on the islands.

Otter can often be spotted. Qualified wildlife guides offer full information, including the history and geography of the area and The Gulf of Corryvreckan, home of the World’s Third Largest Whirlpool. It is because of the strong tides that there is such an abundance of wildlife.

Seafari’s most popular tour is the two-hour Corryvreckan Wildlife tour aboard one of their three open RIBs. These specifically-designed powerful boats transfer passengers swiftly

but safely between sites of interest. Their shallow draft allows these boats to get close to the action. Passengers have individual forward facing seats for the best possible view. Some are adapted for parent and child. The tour is suitable for all ages.

Whilst its lower age limit is four, on calm sunny days and with agreement from the skipper, Seafari will take younger children.

Staff believe their oldest passenger to have been 94!

For those wishing a bit more excitement, when conditions and the tide are right, Seafari offers Whirlpool Special tours to visit The World’s Third Largest Whirlpool in action at its finest.

For a gentler cruise Seafari operates a traditional boat. Facilities on board include a heated cabin, toilet and hot drinks.

With a large open deck passengers can safely stretch their legs during this tour. When minke whales are in the area, the focus of these tours alters from wildlife and seascapes to wildlife and whales.

Iona, Staffa and The Puffins is an all-day tour with time ashore to visit the Abbey before heading to Staffa for Fingal’s cave and to watch the comical Puffins.

All Seafari tours can be booked online at www.seafari. co.uk Office staff are always available to assist and answer questions either by email: oban@seafari.co.uk or telephone: 01852 300003.

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Ballachulish Bridge crosses the narrows between Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe

Once upon a time...there was a year of stories The stories of Scotland are embedded in its culture, and nowhere more so than in the West Highlands, where the landscape breathes magic and you only have to be alone on a misty morning to embrace the possibility of mythical creatures wandering the glen beside you.

dog when he went hunting, to Skye’s famous turquoise Faerie Pools, supposedly named when the local Clan MacLeod chief married a fairy princess.

Storytelling has a dedicated celebration in 2022, through Scotland’s Year of Stories, a 12-month event which will showcase those inspired by, created, or written here. From local tales and oral traditions, to treasured books and the internationally-known epics of stage and screen, visitors will have the opportunity to read, listen and discover.

Scotland’s most iconic stories and settings often feature on film and TV. In the west Highlands there are plenty of locations to visit and re-enact your favourite dramatic scene, whether that’s the opening credits of Outlander, an epic drive from James Bond’s Skyfall (both filmed in Glencoe) or Harry Potter’s journey to school (on a steam train over the Glenfinnan viaduct).

Every west Highland community has its tales to tell. Many local place-names are connected to folklore, from the Dog Stone at Dunollie, in Oban, said to be where the giant Finn McCool tied his

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Monuments in out-of-the-way places recall the work of local bards – in Dalmally, the Duncan Ban MacIntyre Monument boasts spectacular views and recalls the work of a gaelic soldier poet who never learned to read. At nearby Cladich, a roadside cairn remembers Neil Munro, author of the Para Handy stories.

There are settings with darker, truelife tales to tell, too; ruins that were the homes of victims of the Highland clearances, cliff tops that overlook the scenes of shipwrecks, and the eerie site near Ballachulish Bridge, where in 1752 James Stewart was wrongfully hanged for murder.

If you are looking to enjoy some local lore in written form, well-stocked bookshops can be found in all of the region’s small towns – and sometimes out of the

way places too. Staff here have a wealth of local knowledge and reading recommendations. The Highland Book Prize (highlandbookprize.org.uk) an annual award for books with a Highland connection, is a great starting point for locally-themed reading recommendations.

Even our most out-of-the-way locations still celebrate a culture of sharing stories, with community bookswaps in quirky locations such as phoneboxes (in Lochgair, Ardfern, Cladich, and Oban’s Rockfield Centre), sheds (on Taynuilt Main Street) and a cupboard on the platform (Dalmally Station).

There are organised celebrations of stories and their authors here too. The village of Benderloch hosts the Bookends Festival in the autumn and pop-up events throughout the year. Mull hosts the West Over Sea Book Festival, welcoming internationally acclaimed authors, and Colonsay is home to one of the world’s most remote book festivals, each spring. Theatre groups, such as Glendaruel’s Walking Theatre Company, regularly tour the region bringing local and original tales to life.

Many of our stories are celebrations, and never more so than when told at a ceilidh, in a home, or perhaps a village hall or pub. The tales may be slapstick, melancholy, or incorporated into song, but whether served with a whisky, cake or a cuppa, they are always better when shared.

Year of Stories Events Colonsay Book Festival:

April 30-May 1

Exhibition of the Hope MacDougall Collection, Dunollie:

throughout spring

Lorn Drama Festival:

May 3-7

Doors Open Days:

September 3-4

www.therockfieldcentre.org.uk

West Over Sea Book Festival (Tobermory): October 28-30

Faerie Pools, Isle of Skye

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Eat, drink and stay with us at the award-winning Ben Cruachan Inn on the shores of Loch Awe. Voted Scotland’s best Gastro Pub in 2021, you can enjoy our great food with fantastic views from our outdoor deck or bar and restaurant. We also have an extensive range of Scottish whiskies and gins. We are fully accessible, dog friendly and family friendly. You can also get to us by train - we are a stone’s throw (or 3-mintue walk!) from Loch Awe station. Our friendly team look forward to welcoming you.

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Inveraray With its bright waterfront buildings, sparkling harbour, and backdrop of dramatic hills and forest, Inveraray makes a charming first impression that only hints at the experiences to come.

Take a stroll through the quaint town and discover a lovely selection of independent shops, cafes and the popular George Hotel with its flagstones, settles, original 1770’s stone walls, open fire and stunning beer garden. You’ll find gifts, jewellery, whisky shops, souvenirs, traditional fish and chips, a chemist, outdoor wear and a family butcher, among many others.

Inveraray Castle, the fairytale home of Clan Campbell and the current Duke of Argyll, is the town’s chief attraction and was once the setting for a Downton Abbey Christmas special. Its armoury hall displays an impressive collection of weapons, including the handle of outlaw Rob Roy’s dagger.

More sedate highlights are the state dining

room and the tapestry drawing room, and the well-cared-for gardens.

Valley – the town, castle, celebrated bell tower and loch can all be seen from the shelter.

Echoes of Inveraray’s murkier past are part of its appeal too. In the 1800s, Inveraray Jail housed offenders from convicted killers to children caught stealing apples.

Today, the jail is a living museum where costumed guides tell stories of former inmates and visitors can try out punishments and experience the excitement of a trial in the courtroom.

A day trip to Inveraray can also encompass living history at Auchindrain, a farming township (a few miles south of the town) that has been carefully preserved. Head north-east from Inveraray town and you reach Cairndow, a scenic hamlet that is home to the celebrated Loch Fyne Oyster Bar and Farm Shop and, for families, the recently-opened Fyne Den play space.

Perched on a hilltop high above Loch Fyne, the Dun na Cuaiche watchtower is the stone guardian of Inveraray. The 18th-century viewpoint is a relatively short, though challenging walk from Inveraray Castle car park, and provides staggering view of the Fyne

At the very tip of Loch Fyne is Ardkinglas, the stately home and estate that includes Ardkinglass Woodland Garden, home to a remarkable collection of plants and ‘champion’ trees, including some of the tallest, and oldest trees in Britain.

Aerial view of Inveraray and Loch Fyne

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4/5/2022 1:48:06 PM

Picture perfect at The Harbour Gallery

Acclaimed artist Stuart Herd’s love of rugby and landscapes can be found at his three west coast galleries: Tarbert, Ullapool and Inveraray Sporting success can be fleeting and pass in an instant, but Stuart Herd, owner of The Harbour Gallery, is ensuring that these glorious, treasured moments will last forever.

Stuart’s exquisite brushwork has captured some of the most defining moments in rugby. From Scotland’s stunning Calcutta Cup 2021 win at Twickenham last year, to England and Wales, France v Scotland, the British and Irish Lions against South Africa last summer, with more to come during this season’s Six Nations and the road to the World Cup in 2023.

Stuart has established three busy galleries in Scotland, the Harbour Galleries, which are situated along the West Coast of the country, which showcase original paintings and prints by the artist and owner, alongside other local artists’ work, including jewellery, memorabilia and ceramics.

Stuart said: ‘I started painting full time more than 20 years ago. I went to art college briefly but left to work in photography, and did that whilst travelling around the world in different jobs and on different treks. I’ve stayed in a lot of places, but was always drawing and painting at the same time.

‘I had a job as an art auctioneer at Sandals Resorts in Jamaica but left it after six months and made my living on the island as an artist for another two-and-a-half years! This was tough work, but I thought, if I can make my living out there, I can do it anywhere. So, I decided to come home and set up in Scotland as an artist.’

Stuart’s work depicts recognisable locations from throughout Scotland, especially in and around the locations of his three galleries, in Tarbert, Ullapool and Inveraray.

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His distinctive style also sees him paint Highland cows on canvas, as well as paintings on top of Ordnance Survey maps.

The artist continues: ‘I mostly work with acrylics but I do oil now and again.

‘I’ll sit and sketch if I have the time, but the majority of my work is done from photographs in the studio, but for me that’s part of the process: you look for an angle and work from that. You use the camera to capture that angle, especially if you are going to paint a building, as my work is quite realistic I need that detail.

‘But I never work on one painting from start to finish. I’m always jumping around!’

Stuart’s attention to detail can be seen in his rugby prints, especially those capturing match action, with the stadia in the background – some of the players who have appeared in his paintings have bought the originals.

Stuart says: ‘ The Last Scrum Before The Try was done in February last year, and I’ve done a limited edition print run of 500, and well over three-quarters have sold already. That went really well.

‘I have done a few more Scottish paintings, then I painted the Springboks versus the Lions in the first Test. One of the Lions’ front row got in touch afterwards and bought the original.

‘It’s varied subject matter, from the rugby art to Scottish landscapes, to European cityscapes, to superyachts on nautical charts. I have exhibited in galleries across Europe.’

Stuart’s work can be found in corporate and private collections worldwide.

But owning art galleries wasn’t part of Stuart’s original plan.

After an accident which saw him lose an eye. He struggled to paint for more than a year during surgery, and ended up having to have his eye removed. It was during this time he decided to start his business career and opened his first gallery.

He says: ‘Although I’m an artist, I also own three galleries,

The Harbour Gallery Tarbert - Ullapool - Inveraray in Ullapool, Tarbert and Inveraray. Some 90 per cent of the artwork sold there is done by myself, from £2,000 originals to £20 prints.’

The Harbour Gallery, Tarbert, is located on the Harbour Front and his studio is also on the Quay. The newly opened Inveraray Gallery in Argyll is situated on the Main Street, while the Ullapool gallery can be found in the heart of the village.

Although the galleries are far apart in terms of mileage, Stuart uses the time when travelling between them to find new regions and to explore new ideas for future paintings.

For more information, and to see further examples of Stuart’s work, visit www.theharbourgallery.com

INVERARAY

Top things to see, do and experience Inveraray Castle

Inveraray Jail

One of the West’s most popular attractions, Inveraray Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll. The Armoury Hall and opulent Tapestry Drawing Room are highlights of a tour.

Step back in time in this historic jail and courthouse. Meet guides (and waxworks) dressed in period costume, and marvel at the conditions and punishments the inmates of the past were subjected to.

inveraray-castle.com

inverarayjail.co.uk

Auchindrain

Ardkinglas Woodland Garden

Learn about Argyll’s rural history in this living museum where you can explore the homes of the crofters of the past and get hands on learning about traditional skills.

With views across Loch Fyne, this spectacular garden boasts a collection of record-breaking trees, and plenty for young visitors, including a Fairy Trail and Scotslanguage Gruffalo Trail.

auchindrain.org.uk

ardkinglas.com

Loch Fyne Oyster Bar

The Here We Are Centre

The internationally famous seafood brand started out here, in a shed, in the 1970s. You can dine in more comfortable surroundings now, but the sparkling view and the fresh oysters, mussels and salmon, remain as memorable.

Behind the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, this community hub includes an exhibition space, archives, post office and a tiny aquarium. hereweare-uk.com

lochfyne.com

Argyll Adventures

Fyne Ales

Get out and about on horseback around Loch Fyne. Argyll Adventures offer scenic pony treks and riding lessons, plus paintball and crossbow ranges and laser storm.

Brewing over 70 different beers annually, this farm brewery welcomes visitors to the banks of Loch Fyne where you can take a tour or sample a variety of ales in the tap room.

argylladventure.com

fyneales.com

Fyne Den

Crarae Gardens

Indoor Adventure Zone and new Adventure Garden! Play Sessions 1hour 45 minutes. Check for opening hours and ticket prices. Cairndow, next to Loch Fyne Oysters off the A83.

Discover Britain’s finest example of a Himalayan-style garden - although no yetis have been spotted to date!

Explore this peaceful paradise with its gorge, rippling burn, waterfalls and cliffs.Open 10am - 5pm, gardens, shop, cafe. Crarae, near Inveraray, PA32 8YA

Email:- info@thefyneden.com Tel: 01499 320429 Mob: 07931 656706

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COUNTRY HOUSE BY THE SEA

Find us on:

Delicious Local Produce & Stunning West Coast Views await you at Loch Melfort Hotel Our hotel offers a great place to sit, relax and enjoy delicious food whilst taking in our fabulous views. We serve lunch and dinner both outside on our new decking and inside in our newly refurbished restaurant. You can also enjoy tea, coffee and home-made baking all day.

Whilst you are here take a look at our plant centre and browse our gift shop for lovely souvenirs of your visit. If you have time, a walk on our quiet beach is a must!

Particularly stunning at sunset, the point has great views across to Mull.

And of course, a trip to Loch Melfort would not be complete without saying hello to our friendly Highland cows and goats - Dougal, Macdonald, Campbell, Bramble and Thistle.

They can’t wait to see you!

Children’s Menu | Dog Friendly | Free WiFi | lochmelfort.co.uk

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heart of argyll Welcome to the Heart of Argyll, with our outstanding national nature reserves, abundant wildlife, prehistoric landscape, stunning coastal landscapes, pristine marine environment, West Coast sunsets and dark skies, we have it all.

Stretching from the picturesque fishing village of Tarbert, Loch Fyne in the south to Loch Craignish in the north, over to Knapdale and Crinan in the west, across to Inveraray and Loch Awe in the east; with Kilmartin Glen in its midst, the Heart of Argyll boasts some of the most beautiful scenery and precious, rare habitats in Europe.

Historic Kilmartin Glen has the most important concentration of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in mainland

Scotland, including some of the earliest animal carvings. At least 800 ancient monuments, of which 150 are prehistoric, lie within six miles of Kilmartin village.

Take time to explore the smaller roads and tracks that meander through our rugged natural landscape and deliver you to stunning castles, abandoned settlements, secret beaches, fishing villages, our native woodlands and temperate rainforest and “Britain’s most beautiful short cut”, the Crinan Canal.

Wildlife Boat trips take you from Tarbert Harbour into beautiful Loch Fyne or from Crinan Harbour and Seil Island to visit the world-famous Corryvreckan Whirlpool. If that is not special enough, the sheer diversity of wildlife the area has to offer and breathtaking coastal scenery will overwhelm your senses.

A magical wildlife experience can be had at the Argyll Beaver Centre at Barrandaimh, the home of the Scottish beavers; Alternatively take a guided walk into Scotland’s rainforest, learn to forage sustainably or explore our pristine waters with a qualified open water swim coach and guide.

Unique visitor experiences also include Auchindrain Highland farm township museum, Inveraray Jail and the stunning Himalayan gardens at Crarae.

Visit www.heartofargyll.com or scan our QR code to access our free guidebook and unlock the secrets of a welcoming place to stay, fabulous food and amazing things to do and see. Whether you intend to explore by car, by bike, to sail, kayak, swim or just to wander, there is an adventure waiting. A week is not long enough!

For more information visit www.heartofargyll.com 27

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heart of argyll

Top things to see, do and experience Knapdale Beavers

National Nature Reserves

Visit the Beaver and Wildlife Centre at Barrandaimh – home of the Scottish Beavers. Explore the habitat of these amazing ecoengineers and learn about the animals and plants that benefit from their activities.

Taynish and Moine Mhor NNRS and the wetlands of the Add Estuary are all teaming with new life. The bluebell displays throughout our woodlands and in Kilmartin Glen at Temple Wood are stunning.

www.argyllbeavercentre.co.uk

www.nature.scot

Crarae Gardens

Crinan Canal

These Himalayan gardens extend either side of a river gorge above Loch Fyne. Mature rhododendrons, magnolias and camelias, and immense trees from around the globe are among the treats on show.

Walk, run or cycle the nine miles of towpath along Scotland’s most beautiful shortcut, which joins Loch Fyne to Loch Crinan. Nature and Victorian engineering side-byside.

www.nts.org.uk

www.scottishcanals.co.uk

Kilmartin Glen

Social History

The finest prehistoric rock art in Scotland, standing stones, stone circles and burial cairns. Kilmartin Museum offers free guided walks each Wednesday afternoon from Kilmartin Green.

Step back in time at a variety of attractions, from the Highland township museum at Auchindrain, the 19th-century Jail in Inveraray to the fishing and local cultural exhibition at the Eggshed in Ardrishaig.

www.kilmartin.org

www.auchindrain.org.uk www.Inverarayjail.co.uk

Coasts and Waters

The Corryreckan

Enjoy our myriad coastal paths, coves and beaches. You can take an expert guided walk or boat trip that includes a secret destination for wild swimming to discover the magic of the Heart of Argyll above and below our pristine waters.

The third largest tidal whirlpool in the world is on our doorstep.

Marvel in the power of the sea and the wild coastal scenery. www.heartofargyll.com

www.heartofargyll.com

Exceptional Local Ingredients

Retail Therapy and Art Trail

The freshest of seafood is one of the highlights of the produce offering from our fabulous restaurants and independent food retailers. We also excel at coffee and cake and light bites, including vegan and gluten-free options in our cafes and coffee stops.

Discover our independent shops, galleries, artist studios and exhibitions. The ArtMap Argyll Red Dot Trail is a late summer highlight. www.artmapargyll.co.uk www.heartofargyll.com

www.heartofargyll.com

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cowal Cowal is only a short drive from Glasgow, or an even shorter boat trip across the Firth of Clyde from Gourock to Dunoon, but the minutes invested in travelling here can feel like they’ve taken you a millennium away.

For those who want to taste the highlights of the West Highlands on a tight schedule, it’s a perfect choice.

where fans of Robert Burns will note that the statue of his sweetheart Highland Mary is gazing south towards the poet’s Ayrshire home. Alternatively, browse the shops for local produce and gifts, or uncover local history at the historic Castle House Museum.

Accessibility helped Cowal to become a popular steamer trip destination in the early 1900s, and Dunoon, its main town, grew to its current size largely as a result. Today, you can still enjoy a stroll along the town’s seaside promenade,

This is an exceptional place to sail.

The views are memorable and there’s a choice of marinas, inlets and quiet anchorages, as well as yachting events to either enjoy or compete in. Other water

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Set in lush mountainside just outside Dunoon, Benmore Botanic Gardens boasts 120 acres of exotic and colourful plantations. An awe-inspiring avenue of giant redwoods welcomes visitors to the attraction and further exploration transports you to globally-themed plantings from the Tasmanian Ridge to a Bhutanese Glade.

Cowal’s attraction lies largely in its wild landscape, which blends a craggy coast, formidable forests and majestic mountains, so it’s little wonder that it draws those in search of an outdoor adventure, whether they choose to head off the beaten track, or take advantage of the established scenic hiking and biking routes.

sports, from kayaking to paddle-boarding and rib-boat trips, give a fresh perspective on the ocean.

Forests define Cowal as much as the coast does, and it is home to the celebrated Argyll Forest Park which includes plenty of marked walks for all abilities and visual treats, including lochs and waterfalls.

For memorable hillwalking here, head to the north tip of Cowal and Glen Croe, home to the Rest and be Thankful (so named because of the inscription ‘Rest and be Thankful’ carved a stone by

soldiers who built the old military road at the site in the 18th century) or make the village of Arrochar your base to explore the nearby ‘Arrochar Alps’ which include The Cobbler, one of Scotland’s most popular mountains.

Diary Date: Punk on the Peninsula, June 2 to June 5. A fourday outdoor festival of punk, ska and alternative music, with 40 bands on four stages.

COWAL hand picked Top things to see, do and experience Benmore Botanic Gardens

Puck’s Glen

Walk along Benmore’s avenue of towering redwoods and you gain a sense of the age and stature of this mountainside garden. Highlights include spring rhododendron displays and the Victorian fernery.

A magical spot with an appropriately magical name, Puck’s Glen is a deep gorge with a cascade of waterfalls set in shady forest near Benmore Gardens. Will you encounter the forest sprites?

rbge.org.uk

Argyll Forest Park

The Smiddy

The UK’s first Forest Park, stretching from the Holy Loch to the peaks of the Arrochar Alps. Highlights include Glenbranter’s Allt Robuic gorge, once owned by music hall star Harry Lauder.

This 19th-century blacksmith’s forge remains operational as the heart of a tiny, fascinating folk museum in the village of Strachur.

forestryandland.gov.scot

Dunoon

Loch Eck

This Victorian resort retains its traditional seaside charm.

Explore the shops, stroll along the promenade (under the gaze of a statue of Robert Burns’ sweetheart, Highland Mary) or paddle at West Bay.

A seven-mile ribbon of fresh water, Loch Eck teems with fish, including the rare powan, salmon, and arctic char.

There are paths for walkers, including to the Paper Caves, where key local documents are said to have been hidden.

Castle House Museum

Glenfinart Walled Garden

Dunoon Castle was abandoned in the 17th century, but its site still boasts impressive views. Nearby Castle House Museum is a treasuretrove of local artefacts and was built partly using stone from the original castle.

Originally the kitchen garden of the Glenfinart Estate, this Victorian walled garden is now community owned and run. Explore the sensory garden, children’s area, orchards and raised beds. Dogs welcome on leads.

Castlehousemuseum.org.uk

Ardentinny Beach

Walking

Keep your eyes peeled on Ardentinny Beach – for seals in the water, raptors above and treasures such as pebbles and shells at your feet. Picnic on the beach, or explore buggy-friendly trails nearby.

Cowal has walking routes for everyone, from challenging routes to the rocky Arrochar Alps (such as the Cobbler and Ben Vorlich) to flatter loch-side paths just right for buggies and bikes. forestryandland.gov.scot

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Visit Benmore Botanic Garden Magnificent Mountainside Garden & World Renowned Plant Collection

Surrounded by by dramatic dramatic scenery, scenery, Benmore’s Benmore’s 120 120 acres acres are are home home to to a a superb superb Surrounded collection of of plants plants from from the the Orient Orient and and the the Himalaya Himalaya to to North North and and South South America.

America. collection Its avenue avenue of of giant giant redwoods redwoods is is arguably arguably one one of of the the finest finest entrances entrances Its to any any botanic botanic garden. garden. to

Victorian Fernery | Refreshments | Gift Shop | Plant sales Admission*: Adult £7.50 Concession £6.75 Under 16sgo gofree free Admission*:Adult Adult£7.50 £8 | Concession £7£6.75 | Under 16s free Admission*: || Concession || Under 16s go free *Includes small small voluntary voluntary donation donation to to the the Garden.

Garden. *Includes

On the the A815, A815, 7 7 miles miles north north of of Dunoon Dunoon on on the the Cowal Cowal Peninsula, Peninsula, Argyll Argyll PA23 PA23 8QU 8QU On Tel 01369 01369 706261 706261 || rbge.org.uk/benmore rbge.org.uk/benmore Tel Part of of the the Royal Royal Botanic Botanic Garden Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, a a charity charity registered registered in in Scotland Scotland (no (no SC007983) SC007983) Part

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Photograph: Rachel Keenan Photography

This time of year is perfect for an amble through the profusion of flowers, foliage and fragrance at Benmore Botanic Garden.

Located at the gateway to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Benmore’s renowned rhododendrons bloom all the way through August. But the star of July’s show is eucryphias, with splashes of white fountains among the lush greenery.

Desfontainias also take centre stage in mid-summer due to the abundance of blooms against the backdrop of heather-covered mountains.

Summer flowering trees and shrubs burst into a riot of colour and fragrance. American snowdrop, Oriental snowbells and the striking epaulette tree, festooned in perfumed white bells.

With more than 3,000 plants of around 300 species, Benmore is famous for its rhododendron collection. However, its West Coast setting also makes the garden particularly suitable for collections from Bhutan, Chile, Japan and Tasmania.

On sunny days in spring, magnolias are spectacular pink and white against blue sky between the

Viewpoint and The Golden Gates. Colour is not just for blossom. Rhododendron barbatum produces plum-coloured flaking bark and Rhododendron thomsonii a striking gold and sea-green peeling bark and vivid red flowers. Young shoots bring sharp freshness to evergreens.

Visit the Tas­manian Ridge and look out for a shock of brilliant new leaves of red and bronze produced by the myrtle beech, Nothofagus cunninghamii, fragrant with Pieris japonica at this time of year. The Fernery was built in the 1870s at a time when Britain was gripped by “fernmania”. With the restoration of the fernery, a part of Benmore’s history has been brought back to life. It gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the history and life-cycles of ferns and to admire their intricate and diverse beauty.

Make sure you find the time to visit our magnificent grade-A listed Golden Gates.

Benmore is suitable for all ages and is a great day out for the family. Keep an eye out for the garden’s resident red squirrels who are likely to make an appearance.

Admission costs Adult £8 | Concession £7 | Under 16s free go free. Prices include a small donation to the garden.

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HELENSBURGH Helensburgh and Lomond is the gateway to Argyll, situated on the Clyde Sea Lochs, and including the west bank of Loch Lomond and the Arrochar Alps.

With several train stations throughout the area on the West Highland Line, it has fantastic transport connections to both the west coast and the central belt, and makes a great day-trip destination.

In Helensburgh, visit Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s famous Hill House and the

award-winning architectural chainmail ‘Box’ protecting it. Geilston and Glenarn Gardens are wonderful natural attractions, or for the latest in museum immersive technology, take in the Scottish Submarine Centre. The town also has a range of unique independent shops and galleries, and highly rated restaurants.

Families are well catered for with new play facilities at Hermitage Park, and there is a farm park nearby.

The beautiful conservation village of Luss on Loch Lomond is the ancestral home of Clan Colquhoun. As well as picture postcard views, the settlement has a fascinating history, including an 11th century Viking hogback grave in the churchyard. There are several fabulous gift shops and eateries, and younger visitors will enjoy the faerie trail.

Ardlui offers watersports on Loch Lomond, and Arrochar is a great base for Munro-bagging and mountain-biking. The whole area includes a number of trails such as the Loch Lomond and Cowal Way, Three Lochs Way, John Muir Way and Argyll Sea Kayak Trail. The Clyde Sea Lochs Trail is a 65 mile road route from Dumbarton to Arrochar, including the Rosneath Peninsula with its own

fascinating heritage trails featuring the work of architects such as Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson, William Leiper and Edwin Lutyens. Kilcreggan Pier is a regular stop for the Waverley Paddle Steamer on

its Clyde cruises, and the Peninsula offers stunning views down the Firth of Clyde to Bute and Arran.

Explore more...www.destinationhelensburgh.org

Enjoy the great outdoors on the Three Lochs Way, John Muir Way, Argyll Sea Kayak Trail and Clyde Sea Lochs Trail, plus Munro-bagging, Mountain-biking, Watersports, Golf and more.

Visit Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s famous Hill House, Geilston Garden NTS, the Scottish Submarine Centre and the Outdoor Museum, or take a boat trip on the Clyde.

Browse in unique independent shops and galleries, enjoy an ice-cream on the seafront promenade, eat in award-winning restaurants, and relax in a boutique hotel or B&B. With fantastic transport links, including the ScotRail Highland Explorer on the West destinationhelensburgh.org Highland Line, Helensburgh & Lomond is the perfect gateway for your Argyll adventure.

Say HELLO ADVENTURE in Helensburgh & Lomond 35

Argyll’s Secret Coast On the south west tip of the Cowal Peninsula is a small but special destination that might have escaped your notice – and that explains its name.

Argyll’s Secret Coast may be a little off the beaten track, but it more than repays exploration.

Shaped by a collection of dramatic sea lochs, including Loch Goil and Loch Riddon, and comprising a scenic string of vil-

lages, beaches and coves, it boasts history, wildlife, hospitality and more. The arts scene here is vibrant, too, with events and exhibitions year round and a choice of arts and crafts inspired by the surroundings.

Loch Goil from the Dukes Pass towards Drimsynie

Two beautiful stretches of water, the Kyles of Bute and Loch Fyne, flank Argyll’s Secret Coast. Together, they lend atmosphere and life, and provide endless pleasure for visitors, whether observing their riches from the shore, or heading out for an immersive ocean experience – perhaps a swim, a sailing trip, or exploring by kayak or canoe.

Although it is geography that creates the remarkable setting, it is vibrant communities that bring that setting to life, from Colintraive (from where you can catch a ferry to nearby Bute) with its community garden and impressively painted heritage centre, to Glendaruel, a medieval battle site that is home to Dunan’s Castle and the historic Kilmodan Church, and the

peaceful Otter Ferry. Portavadie’s marina provides extensive facilities and a spa resort for those travelling by land or sea who crave luxury with a breath-taking backdrop. As well as a restaurant and gym, the resort is home to Scotland’s biggest outdoor infinity pool – a unique spot from which to enjoy the views. It’s even more magical after dark.

A fishing and sailing destination with a cafe culture, Tighnabruaich has distinctive charm. It is also the local home of the fierce highland sport of shinty. Kames is smaller and peaceful, but it wasn’t always so – it was once the home of a gunpowder mill.

Kilbride Bay, Tighnabruaich

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Argyll’s Secret Coast has walking and

cycling routes for travellers of all abilities.

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, especially in woodlands such as Kilfinan Community Forest or Glenan Wood, where you could spot red squirrels, deer and woodpeckers as well as an abandoned village.

For a coastal walk with views to breathe in, head to Carry Point at Carry Farm, or for ancient history, visit the standing stones at Stillaig via a stunning walk across the headland from Portavadie.

Argyll’s Secret Coast offers respite for those seeking solitude, but there is a social scene to explore, too, and you’ll find atmosphere and quality cuisine in the hotels, bars and restaurants, where menus consistently offer fresh local produce, including seafood sourced close by.

Argyll’s Secret Coast

hand picked

Top five

things to see, do and experience

Boating The stunning setting of Argyll’s Secret Coast makes it a popular starting point for excursions on the water, whether you opt for a fishing trip, a wildlife tour, or people power via kayak. Sailing lessons for beginners and more advanced seafarers are available at Tighnabruaich Sailing School. Tssargyll.co.uk

Otter Ferry Walk along the pebble beach to Otter Spit for a great nature-watching vantage point. Or enjoy a pint in the local pub overlooking the pier.

Ostel Bay This Tighnabruaich beauty spot is well hidden, but it’s worth the walk through wildflower-coverd machair to reach a peaceful, sandy crescent bay.

St Finan’s Church Kilfinan’s 13th-century parish church houses a collection of ancient burial stones, including the Inveryne Stone. The village also has its own community forest, with a range of trails, some decorated with artwork by local school pupils.

Portavadie The Portavadie complex includes a marina, hotel and self-catering options. Its chief attraction is the spa, which has indoor and outdoor swimming and a heated infinity pool with views of Loch Fyne.

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Isle of Bute Bute is Scotland’s most DO accessible island, only 90 Rothesay Castle, in the town centre, had a long association with the Stewart Kings of minutes from Glasgow, Scotland and can be explored daily from April 1. Behind the castle, also reopening on the west coast in the on this date, is Bute museum.

Firth of Clyde. Packed Mount Stuart House and Gardens is a 19th-century mansion with extravagant with stunning scenery, interiors, nestled in a 300-acre estate with Bute offers something striking backdrop of the Firth of Clyde. After your house tour you could head to the for everyone, with plenty courtyard to sample fantastic homebaking, to eat, drink, see and do! learn more at the Visitors Centre, or enjoy Explore There is so much to explore on the Isle of Bute, one of Scotland’s most accessible Islands.

some outdoor fun in the adventure playground. It’s a day out for the whole family!

Bute boasts spectacular beaches including Ettrick Bay in the north - home to a tearoom where you can grab an ice cream and take a walk along the mile-long golden sand. With a playpark and glamping pods, its the perfect base.

The island is only 15 miles long and 5 miles wide, but is bursting with history, culture, wildlife, arts, and music with so much to see and do for all of the family!

Shop

Food and Drink

Why not compliment your trip to Bute with a visit to our local retailers.

Discover the richness and flavours of Bute’s local cuisine with a true taste of the Scottish isles.

Bute producers are enormously proud of what they bring to the marketplace and have created the ButeKitchen mark as a symbol of local production and excellence.

Spot the ButeKitchen logo at local restaurants, tea rooms, cafes and bars across the island and experience the very best of our welcoming hospitality here on Bute.

Get lost in Rothesay discovering all that the town has to offer. From hand-made candles, and galleries displaying work from local artists, to local gin distillers, butchers and fishmongers selling the very best of Island produce. There are also a variety of craft, home interior and clothes shops to be explored.

Take a little piece of Bute home with you and shop with our local retailers.

Learn more at www.visitbute.com

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PS Waverley at Rothesay Harbour

Mount Stuart House

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kintyre Both battered and blessed by the ocean that surrounds it, the Kintyre peninsula is breathtaking however you choose to explore it. Whatever the pace or style of your journey, once you get Kintyre sand between your toes, you will long to return again.

With views that surpass California’s celebrated Route 66 and far less traffic, the Kintyre 66 is a new (66-mile) driving route that loops the peninsula and takes in coastal and cultural highlights, including the historic town of Campbeltown and a hop over to the isle of Gigha – it is a truly spectacular motoring experience.

Kintyre is well-suited to those travelling under their own steam, too, with plenty of scenic woodland and beach walks and the 103-mile Kintyre Way long-distance trail (much of which is accessible to bikes as well) waymarked from Tarbert to Southend and up to Machrihanish.

Most visits to Kintyre start at Tarbert, a pretty fishing port with a striking church tower. Shops and cafes surround the har-

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bour. It’s home to the ivy-covered ruin of Tarbert Castle, a medieval stronghold that was to become an important site for Robert the Bruce, and hosts annual seafood, music and book festivals.

Summer view overlooking Carradale Bay with the island of Arran in the distance www.scotphoto.com

Between Tarbert and Bellochantuy, the waves are so close to the road that you can almost taste the spray and it’s well worth stopping at Muasdale to do just that. If you have time to go further afield, Tayinloan is the port for the ferry to the lovely little Isle of Gigha, home to the celebrated Achamore Gardens, which are particularly lovely in late spring. The east coast of Kintyre may be its road less travelled, but there are rewards here, from castles to a ruined abbey.

Set in lush vegetation with views to the Isle of Arran, the village of Carradale remains a working fishing port. A walk on the golden beach at Carradale Bay is bound to blow away any cobwebs, whether you cover its full mile and visit the Iron Age hill fort at the eastern point.

As you draw closer to Campbeltown, the hill-top route boasts views of the islands beyond, and there are more lovely beaches, including Westport – which feels a million windswept miles away from the bustling neighbouring town.

Looking out to the Isle of Davaar and its Stevenson lighthouse, there is plenty to discover in Campbeltown – from the variety of shops and restaurants, to the redeveloped sea front, and Tartan Kirk, a local history museum named for its colourful brick patterns. There are only

three distilleries left of more than 30 in the town’s heyday, but whisky still has an important role to play – with tours and tastings on offer.

The palm trees that surprisingly dot the town centre today may be suggestive of a Caribbean resort, but if you are on a quest to find unblemished white sand dunes, head for nearby Machrihanish, a favourite water sports destination, and you can enjoy a round of golf in a splendid, world famous setting.

The remote southern tip of the Mull of

Kintyre may be most famous now for its link to Paul McCartney, but this is a spot rich with older history, too, and on a clear day you can see all the way to the Antrim coast.

Diary Date: Tarbert Seafood Festival, July 2 and 3.

A celebration of fish and shellfish with stalls on the harbour front and plenty to see and do.

CAMPBELTOWN MOTOR COMPANY

VEHICLE HIRE

Why not discover this beautiful West Coast Peninsula with one of our modern, reliable vehicles available for hire.

We offer a free shuttle service to and from Campbeltown airport, bus and ferry terminals. Further destinations may be able to be arranged. All our vehicles are modern, safe and usually less than 1 year old.

Opening Times: Monday - Friday 08:00 - 17:30 | Saturday 08:00 - 13:00 | Sunday Closed

Telephone: 01586 552030

www.campbeltownmotorcompany.co.uk Campbeltown Motor Company, Snipefield, Drumore, Campbeltown 01586 552030 R E A S S U R A N C E

B U I LT I N

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kintyre hand picked Top things to see, do and experience Distilleries

Isle of Gigha

Campbeltown is home to three whisky distilleries – Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle. All offer tours and tastings, and the Kintyre Gin distillery, on Torrisdale Castle Estate, is open to visitors and has a gin school and cafe.

A 20-minute ferry trip from Tayinloan, this communityowned island is a popular day-trip destination where the welcome is as warm as the gulf stream that enriches its climate.

Gigha’s premier attraction is the colourful Achamore Gardens.

Skipness Castle and Kilbrannan Chapel

Tarbert Festivals

A short drive from Tarbert, this 11th-century castle showcases a blend of architectural styles. There’s plenty to see inside, including views across the Kilbrannan Sound to Arran.

The small fishing village of Tarbert is a cultural hub, hosting annual festivals including a book festival, seafood festival, music festival and the Scottish Series yachting event. www.tarbertfestivals.co.uk

Golf

Machrihanish Beach

Machrihanish Golf Club is celebrated worldwide, and no golf enthusiast will want to miss a round on this links course, which boasts sea views and the best opening hole in the country.

Known for its white sands and clear water, Machrihanish’s long beach is only one of many Kintyre beaches – try Westport, Dunaverty, Bellochantuy or Muasdale if you’re searching for atmosphere and the sensation of sand between your toes.

www.machgolf.com

Davaar Island

Mull of Kintyre

This tidal island is linked to the mainland at Campbeltown by a shingle causeway. It’s known for its lighthouse and caves, one of which contains a life-sized crucifixion painting.

Forever associated with Paul McCartney’s song, this remote headland marks the tip of the Kintyre peninsula. The effort of reaching it is repaid with dramatic views towards Ireland.

Kintyre Way

Kintyre 66

This long-distance path takes a winding and beautiful route down the length of the Kintyre peninsula, from Tarbert to Machrihanish. You can do the whole challenge over several days, or just hop on for a stroll.

Kintyre 66 is a new 66 mile loop around one of Scotland’s most scenic regions, Kintyre. Known as Scotland’s mainland island, Kintyre is a stunning peninsula in Argyll, on the west coast of Scotland.

For more information, visit www. wildaboutargyll.co.uk

www.scotlandsgreattrails.com

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ISLE OF GIGHA

Situated west of the Kintyre peninsula, the Isle of Gigha is just minutes by ferry from the mainland, but its gentle landscape, spectacular floral displays and mild climate mean that it can feel much further away.

The ancestral home of Clan MacNeill, this island is just seven miles long and its main settlement, Ardminish, can be easily accessed from Tayinloan. Its attractions include shop, hotel and restaurant, as well as plenty of scenic picnic spots within reach on foot or bicycle.

The island’s most celebrated destination is Achamore Gardens, a 54-acre estate bursting with remarkable trees and shrubs, which is particularly known for the blaze of spring colour created by its combination of rhododendron, azaleas and camelias – plants that thrive in the mild and fertile

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setting. Created shortly after the Second World War by the island’s former laird, hot drinks magnate Sir James Horlick, the gardens have been rejuvenated by a new team of gardeners.

Today, the entire island is owned by its community, who are known as Gighachs.

They took it over from its last private owner in 2002, and have since worked together through the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, to ensure both its preservation and development.

Now, more than 20 years since the takeover, work is under way on improving island assets such as footpaths and cycle trails, a task spearheaded by the Ranger service, which also seeks to celebrate its wildlife and hosts walks and events which encourage an appreciation of the natural world. Keeping a watchful eye on Gigha are the Bodach and Cailleach (old man and old woman) an ancient pair of stones at the southern end.

Historic attractions also include the exquisitely set ruins of the 13th-century Kilchattan church. A stone’s throw from Gigha is the tiny, mystical island of Cara, where you can find a rock formation known as the Broonie’s Chair. Sit in the chair and it is said that the spirit of ‘the Broonie’ will grant your secret wish.

Islay and Jura Islay has long been known as the Queen of the Hebrides, but with so much to offer, a debate remains over which is the most precious of her crown jewels.

Is it the ocean, sparkling sapphire blue?

The marble-white sandy beaches? Rare wildlife? Or perhaps most valuable of all, the peat which is a vital component in production of the single malt whiskies for which Islay is known worldwide.

For a little island, there is a lot going on. Islay boasts a collection of working distilleries which offer tours and often tastes of their flagship products.

While whisky remains the biggest draw, Islay’s reputation for gin, seasoned with hand-foraged local botanicals, is growing fast.

Islay’s distillery trail can also be an incidental tour of its scenic and cultural assets – from the pretty white-washed towns of Port Ellen and Bowmore, to Caol Ila distillery, which boasts views across to Jura, and the sandy Machir Bay, near Kilchoman distillery.

There is as much variety to Islay’s wildlife as to its malts. It boasts otters, eagles and over 250 other bird species, includ-

ing the rare blackbird-like chough, and it is an important wintering ground for barnacle and white-fronted geese. You will encounter them wherever you go and you can learn more by visiting the Loch Gruinart reserve.

Coastline at Mull of Oa, Islay

A trip from Port Ellen to the Oa, the island’s southerly tip, is a chance to experience the wild grandeur of the landscape, including the intriguing square Carraig Fhada lighthouse and the atmospheric American Monument, erected in memory of the soldiers on board two American ships which were wrecked in 1918 on the hazardous stretch of coast the site overlooks.

A highlight for history-lovers is Finlaggan, on a secluded loch in the north-east of Islay – once the seat of the Lord of the Isles. It’s hard to envisage on a windswept visit to this remote spot today, but its position at the heart of the Hebrides made it a perfect base for 13th-century leaders who ruled and conquered by sea. For more encounters with the past, look out forts, duns and standing stones around the island, or head to the Museum of Islay Life in Port Charlotte.

Bowmore, the island’s biggest settlement, has a range of shops, hotels and cafes, boasting the fantastic views so many of Islay’s enterprises have in common. Along with Port Ellen, Islay’s chief port, it makes a good base for a break, and you’ll find the local hotels and bars stocked with an excellent range of local whiskies – what better way to warm up after a day out exploring?

For nature lovers, there are some fantastic opportunities to spot wildlife among the flora and fauna with local experts.

Take a guided walk at Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve or a enjoy a spot of bird watching with the RSPB’s guided walks on The Oa from April 1 to October 31.

Nearby Jura is well known for its connection to George Orwell, who sought solitude there to write his novel 1984. The island is named from the Norse for ‘deer island’, and you are as likely to encounter a stag there as another person.

The famous novelist wasn’t the island’s only source of stories – local folk tales centre on the Corryvreckan whirlpool, the world’s third largest, also known as

Scotland’s Maelstrom. If you are feeling bold, you can view this swirling mass of water up close on a boat trip from Port Askaig.

Sat between Jura and Islay are two smaller islands, Colonsay and its sibling Oronsay. Take time to reflect in the woodland garden at Colonsay House or the ancient priory on Oronsay.

Diary Date: Colonsay Book Festival, April 30 and May 1. Big names including Andrew O’Hagan and Alex Gray will travel to the little island for a literary celebration.

Colonsaybookfestival.com.

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SPELLING ERROR ON WORD HOTEL IN AD BELOW

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LAPHROAIG DISTILLERY 2022 VISITOR PROGRAMME.

W E L C O M E T O T H E H O M E O F L A P H R O A I G I S L AY S I N G L E M A LT S C O T C H W H I S K Y During your visit to Laphroaig Distillery, you can read about our history in the museum, browse the gift shop, relax in the lounge bar or select a guided Laphroaig experience from the options below:

£60

£15 D U R AT I O N : 1 H O U R .

D U R AT I O N : T O U R 1 H O U R , TA S T I N G 3 0 M I N S .

WA R E H O U S E 1 TA S T I N G .

EXPERIENCE TOUR. April – September (7 days) (Mon – Fri) October – December (7 days)

10:30 10:30 10:30

13:30

April – September (Mon – Fri) October – December (7 days)

14:30 14:30 14:30

13:00 15:00

Join us in Laphroaig Warehouse 1, on the shore of the ocean, to taste drams from three different casks.

Your guide will take you on a journey through our distillery, starting in our historic floor maltings and revealing our secrets and traditions along the way.

At the end you will be taken into our museum and choose up to 3 whiskies to sample or take away in 15ml bottles.

Includes: Souvenir glass and lanyard.

Once you’ve explored the flavours and character of all three, pick your favourite and hand fill a 250ml bottle to take home.

Please let us know if you are driving and we can fill small 20ml bottles for you to enjoy later instead.

This is a tasting experience only.

Over 18 only.

£130 D U R AT I O N : 4 . 5 H O U R S .

UISGE. April – September (7 days)

12:00

Start by taking a journey through the full production of the distillery beginning with our traditional malting floors.

£75 D U R AT I O N : 2 H O U R S .

D I S T I L L E R ’ S WA R E S .

April – September (7 days) October – December (Mon – Fri)

Gather your picnic lunch, put on your own walking boots and outdoor clothing and hike out to explore the surrounding landscape, visiting the Kilbride water source, an essential element to make Laphroaig.

Appreciate the view from this beautiful setting while you enjoy your delicious lunch.

Hike back to the Distillery to sample a selection of handpicked single casks in Warehouse No.1, our oldest and traditional Warehouse.

Conclude your day by hand bottling your favourite to take home.

10:00 10:00

Join your guide for an extensive tour of our distillery where you will learn about our secrets, history and traditions, finishing by the sea within the cool damp walls of Warehouse No 1.

This experience includes: Distillery tour, picnic lunch, Warehouse tasting & bottling (250ml), hiking & history walk.

Here we will sample from a selection of casks hand-picked by our team.

This is an active day including walking over rough and wet terrain, a reasonable level of fitness is required.

20ml take away bottles available for drivers.

Please let us know of any dietary requirements when placing your booking.

To finish the experience you will extract your favourite whisky from the cask and fill a 250ml bottle to take home with you in a Laphroaig branded gift box.

We aim to be outdoors in all weather conditions so please bring along suitable footwear and outdoor clothing.

Over 18 only.

Over 18 only.

Please book this at least 24 hours in advance.

www.laphroaig.com Tel: +44 (0)1496 302418

Email: tourbookings@laphroaig.com 47

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Port

Charlotte

Holidays Welcome to your Islay holiday home!

4 accommodation with a touch of luxury

Self catering apartments & cottages From couples to groups of 8

www.portcharlotteholidays.com 50

c 07979 023 021 f

islay & jura hand picked Top things to see, do and experience Distilleries

The American Monument

There are currently nine working distilleries on Islay. The first recorded distillery was Bowmore, founded in 1779; the most recent was Ardnahoe, which was established in 2018. There is something magical about Islay’s distilleries – will you have time to visit them all?

Built on high cliffs on the Oa Peninsula, the American monument commemorates the loss of two troop ships, The Tuscania and the Otranto, in separate incidents on Islay’s treacherous coastline, in 1918.

Finlaggan

Mactaggart Leisure Centre

What was once the stronghold of the Lords of the Isles, is now an atmospheric ruin on an islet in a shallow loch near Port Askaig. The Visitor Centre explains more.

Situated within the heart of Bowmore village, this community owned and award-winning facility comprises of a 25-metre swimming pool, gym, sauna, swim shop, launderette, hair salon and multipurpose activity room.

www.finlaggan.org

www.mactaggartleisurecentre.co.uk

Beaches Islay boasts some of the most beautiful beaches to be found anywhere in the world. Go on a beach hunt or find your way to the Singing Sands and Carraig Fhada Lighthouse, starting from Port Ellen (ask a local for directions!).

Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve Greenland barnacle and Greenland white-fronted geese descend here in tens of thousands each autumn. You can also encounter corncrake, hen harriers, otters, and much more.

JURA

Port Ellen

A short hop by ferry from Port Askaig on Islay, Jura is one of the UK’s wildest destinations, famed for red deer and links to the writer George Orwell, who wrote 1984 here. Jura is a do-able day trip from Islay, though wildlife-lovers and walkers will want longer.

Pretty Port Ellen is an island hub and home to a hotel, restaurants and a handful of shops. Stop for a scenic lunch and a stroll on the shore, or explore nearby archaeological sites, such as the Kilbride standing stones.

Bowmore, on the east, is the island’s other main settlement.

Museum of Islay Life

Dunyvaig Castle

Housed in the former Free Church in Port Charlotte, the museum records Islay life, from pre-historic to recent times. Exhibits include an illicit still and a large photographic archive.

Dunyvaig Castle ruins on the shore of Lagavulin Bay, once a naval base of the Lord of the Isles, chiefs of Clan Donald. If you’re doing a tour at Lagavulin, go around the corner and head to the castle when you’re finished. Great views of the distillery and Lagavulin bay.

islaymuseum.org

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Colonsay The Isle of Colonsay, and its smaller island neighbour Oransay, are some of the remotest inhabited islands in the Inner Hebrides.

Spectacularly located some 20 miles from the mainland, between Islay and Mull, these low-lying islands are easily reached by ferry from Oban or, for the perfect Hebridean day-trip, in around an hour by a twice-weekly ferry round-trip from Port Askaig on Islay.

Although they measure just 10 miles by two miles, Colonsay and Oransay offer a surprising variety of things to do, especially for outdoors and wildlife enthusiasts. The islands boast a fascinating history and heritage, and a richly diverse array of flora and fauna (Colonsay is believed to have the richest flora of all the islands, with more than 500 species recorded), as well as an interesting geological timeline.

The islands’ diversity is celebrated in a number of festivals throughout the year – from the celebrated book festival at the end of April, through a fantastic celebration of nature in its renowned spring festival, to a lively traditional music festival in September and a delicious autumnal food and drink festival in October.

Botanically Hebridean

The islands are low-lying with a spectacular coastline and a rolling interior that rises to no more than 145m – which make them perfect for walking or cycling (bring your bike on the CalMac ferry free of charge, or you can hire on the island).

The many beaches offer a chance to stroll beautiful, flat sands and explore sand dunes and machair. The islands are also home to the MacPhies (hills with a summit of at least 300ft /91m). There are 21 on Colonsay and another one on Oransay, and like Munro-bagging on the mainland, MacPhie-bagging becomes a passion for many visitors.

Explore more at visitcolonsay.co.uk

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Coll and Tiree

Tiree beach

Coll is breathtaking all year round and spring is the perfect time to combine long days exploring the many stunning beaches with dining out on local produce and enjoying a night under the Milky Way. Coll is an International Dark Sky Community.

Arinagour, with its white -washed cottages, is just like a scene from Katie Morag. Renowned for its welcome and its slower pace, it ’s not difficult to while away the hours

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in Coll’s only village. Spring brings events such as Coll Bird Festival, Coll & the Cosmos, and concer ts – see local notice boards for information.

Beyond the village lie Coll’s many beaches and a diversity of flora and wildlife unexpected for such a small gem. Visit RSPB Coll for a great chance of seeing the rare corncrake.

You can explore Coll by foot or on bike (hire available), or why not book a tour by land or sea?

The Isle of Tiree is the most westerly island of the Inner Hebrides. It is fer tile, relatively small – about 12 miles long and three miles wide – and ver y flat, and has been de scribed variously as ‘the Hawaii of the nor th’ and ‘the land below the waves’.

The island has a mild climate, with some of the highest levels of sunshine in the UK. It benefits from the moderating influence of the Gulf Stream, ensuring that frost is rare and evenings in mid-summer are warm and balmy.

With an abundance of wildlife, vast starr y skies, an unspoiled landscape and the some of the world’s best conditions for water spor ts, Tiree really is a vivid frontier of Land, Sea and Sky. www.visitcoll.com www.isleoftiree.com

The lighthouse on the Cairns of Coll.

Number of Guests

Weekly Rate

2 4 6 8 10 12

£1500 £2750 £3700 £4400 £4900 £5200

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Tel: 07788 810623

An Ocean of Experience

Tiree Sea Tours The hours will fly by on an adventure with Tiree Sea Tours, but a day spent on board and ashore, exploring the highlights of the Hebrides, will make memories that last a lifetime.

Based at Scarinish Harbour on the pretty island of Tiree, the company takes its guests on exhilarating tours of the Treshnish Isles, including to the seabird haven of Lunga – step ashore in springtime for a close encounter with the endearing Atlantic puffins – and to nearby Staffa, home to the geological marvel that is Fingal's Cave.

While tours have a variety of themes and destinations, you'll enjoy a warm welcome and the expertise of local skippers whichever option you choose. Wildlife sightings can include minke and sperm whales and pods of dolphins, as well as gannets, guillemots and even basking sharks.

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Also on offer are trips to Skerryvore, Scotland's tallest lighthouse and one of the Stevensons' most impressive engineering feats, and dedicated shark-fishing and whale-watching outings. Departures from the Isle of Coll can be arranged. For a private or small-group experience, do get in touch to enquire about the charter service.

The safety of passengers is a priority and all tours adhere to current Coronavirus guidelines. The boats and equipment, including life jackets, are sanitised after each trip, and track and trace is in place – leaving you free to relax, soak up the scenery, and experience isolation of the best kind. There is also an online gift shop for some stylish Tiree Sea Tours apparel! A little island, delivered direct to your door!

Tiree Sea Tours was crowned Scotland’s sea tour operator of the year 2021-22 by the Prestige Awards, organised by Corporate Livewire.

The awards celebrate businesses and individuals which consistently offer ‘excellent products and services to local residents, expats and visitors’.

With a service that includes everything from small and family-sized cars, to vans and luxury Range Rovers, with deals tailored to the length of your stay, Toraz has a vehicle to suit every purpose and budget. Pick-ups from the ferry terminal and the Isle of Coll are also an option.

So step aboard, savour the sea spray and remember...happiness is only a puffin away.

It's easy to view the choices and make a booking on Toraz's user-friendly website. Once you arrive it will only take moments to pick up your car (you'll need a driver's licence and two forms of ID) leaving you free to make the most of your time on the island.

Toraz Car Hire The Isle of Tiree is one of the Hebrides most enchanting havens, and with car hire from Toraz available at the airport, it is now easier to explore than ever before – you can leave Glasgow at breakfast time, and be on the beach watching the waves in time for your mid-morning coffee.

Whether your plan is to enjoy a spot of windsurfing at Ballevullin, a stroll on sandy Crossapol beach, or a cuppa and cake at one of the island's scenic cafes, with your car hire from Toraz sorted, you can focus on where you want to be, not how you're going to get there.

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coll & tiree

hand picked Top five

things to see, do and experience

Dark Skies Coll Designated a dark sky island, the stars do feel closer on the light-pollution-free Isle of Coll. Stargazing on any clear night, or join a stargazing break or events offer the opportunity to learn and see even more. visitcoll.co.uk/dark_sky/

Windsurfing Home of the Tiree Wave Classic, one of the world’s premier windsurfing competitions, Tiree’s windy, sunny climate makes it ideal for this sport. Watch the experts, or take to the water for a lesson yourself.

Basking Sharks and Corncrakes The waters around Coll and Tiree are a hotspot for the gigantic, but harmless basking shark, especially in summer. Corncrakes, endangered across Europe, thrive among the islands’ iris beds.

Beaches A string of sandy beaches encircles each of these islands, with Red Rocks and Crossapol highlights on Coll, and Gott Bay and Balephuil among the gems on Tiree. Let that invigorating sea breeze blow away your cares.

Coll half marathon 2022 20th August 2022 A fun day out for all the family! The Coll Half Marathon has become an important annual event on the Isle of Coll, with most of the locals involved in running this very popular day, organised on an entirely voluntary basis. Many runners return each year, not just to challenge themselves as they enjoy the stunning views on this beautiful island, but also to have a fabulous Coll weekend. Take part or just take in the atmosphere! www.collhalfmarathon.org.uk 58

mull & iona Travel to Mull by ferry from Oban, and you feel that you are crossing to another world, passing enchanted caves, fairytale castles and looming lighthouses.

You might even have an encounter with a sea monster (basking sharks may be harmless, but they still make an impression).

The wonderful wildlife of Scotland is at its richest and most diverse on the Isle of Mull, and in the waters around it. This is the place where a playful otter could cross your path at any moment, a majestic red deer stag will observe you from his mountain vantage point and golden and white-tailed eagles plummet from the skies before your disbelieving eyes.

Out to sea, you can find guillemots, gannets and puffins above the water, especially around Staffa and the Treshnish Isles, while within it swim minke and killer whales, black baleen, harbour porpoises and Risso’s dolphins.

Mull’s main port, Craignure, is a short ferry crossing from Oban, close to two imposing castles, the Victorian mansion of Torosay, and Duart Castle, which guards the Sound of Mull.

The colourfully-painted northern capital, Tobermory, was the setting for children’s television programme Balamory and has plenty for the more mature visitor too, including the An Tobar Arts Centre which hosts events in a former Victorian primary school, and a

distillery, museum and gallery, as well as inviting cafes, pubs restaurants and shops.

The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is a conservation and education charity with its base in the town centre, and the aquarium, at Ledaig, is Europe’s first to operate a policy of catch and release.

Mull is an island of geological extremes, from the black volcanic rock of the Burg peninsula, to the sandy Calgary beach and the fertile farmland of Glen Forsa, and it is wonderful walking territory, whether you choose to take a short stroll or an ambitious hike across the island.

For a geological wonder to take your breath away, take a boat trip to the Isle of Staffa, an island created from hexagonal pillars of basalt, dotted with caves and covered with puffins – the sight of which more than justifies the myths that surround it.

The Highland Clearances of the 19th century had a huge impact on Mull, where many crofters were forced to flee their homes after landowners realised their ground could be used more profitably for grazing sheep. Evidence of the evictions is still visible in the ruins of hastily abandoned townships such as Kildavie and Shiaba.

There are legends about land giants on Mull, but it is famed as a place to fall under the shadow of a giant of the skies. Thanks to a careful conservation programme, several pairs of rare white-tailed or sea eagles, Britain’s largest and most impressive bird of prey, nest and fish around the island, and golden eagles occupy the high ridges where they feast on mountain hare.

Big name mammals to look out for include red deer, fallow deer, and even wild goats, and be sure to keep an eye out during walks on the beach for the distinctive shapes of both grey and common seals basking on the rocks or bobbing up and down just off shore.

IONA From Fionnphort at Mull’s southern tip, look across the sound to see St Margaret’s Abbey on the sacred island of Iona, accessible by pedestrian ferry.

Regardless of their faith, visitors to Iona are sure to be touched by this special little island. Once an important Christian community, it was the home of the Irish Saint Columba and the hub from which he established the Christian faith in Scotland.

Iona retains its spiritual atmosphere, and is still a place of pilgrimage today. As well as the abbey, now in the care of Historic Scotland, there are the ruins of earlier monastic settlements and a graveyard, believed to be the last resting place for the ancient Scottish kings, with the chapel of St Oran at its centre. The former Labour party leader, John Smith, once a regular visitor, is buried in St Oran’s cemetery.

A heritage centre on the island reveals more about its past, and a walk beyond the abbey grounds gives a sense of what might have attracted a saint in the first place – the views of Mull’s dramatic coastline and surrounding islands are truly inspiring, whether they follow a 300ft climb up Dun I, or a gentler stroll the creamy beaches of the north shore.

Diary date: Mull Sportive, June 5. A unique cycling event with a spectacular course – mullsportive.co.uk

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Meet the Puffins

Discover Mull, Iona and Staffa

The Three Isles Tour Plan your next adventure!

Experience the spectacular scenery on the Isle of Mull, the tranquility of Iona and the wonderful wildlife on Staffa, all on a day tour from Oban. Tours run daily from March until October and include all ferry travel and a boat trip with Staffa Tours. Scan the QR code above to book!

Visit westcoasttours.co.uk or call us on 01631 566 809.

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mull & iona hand picked Top things to see, do and experience Tobermory

Iona

Mull’s main town is the starting point for sea trips, speciality shopping, award-winning eateries, coastal walks and indoor attractions, including arts, museums and wildlife centres.

This tiny island (accessible via foot passenger ferry from Fionnphort) is known as the cradle of christianity.

It is home to a 13th- century abbey, Scotland’s best preserved nunnery, amazing beaches and a real sense of tranquillity. www.welcometoiona.com

The South East Coast

Ben More and Burg

Take this route if you love castles, golf and stone circles. If you are searching for golden or whitetailed eagles, look to the skyline, or take a tour with an expert.

The destination for mountain walking and those seeking wilderness. Ben More is Mull’s only Munro, and the peak provides a fantastic viewpoint for the surrounding islands.

Offshore Islands

Wildlife and Adventure Tours

From Mull, take an exhilarating sea tour to the offshore islands of Lunga and Staffa where you can encounter puffins and other sea birds, and the astonishing Fingal’s Cave.

Specialist guides will help you to explore Mull and Iona’s great outdoors, and ensure that you find the best places for close encounters with the abundant wildlife.

The North West Coast

The Ross of Mull

Head this way for an art trail, whale trail, public gardens and dramatic coastlines.

A haven for geologists and historians, this is where you’ll find red granite coastlines, evocative cleared townships, shell-sand beaches, arts and crafts and boat trips from Fionnphort.

Isle of Ulva

The Quest

Lachlan Macquarie, described as ‘the Father of Australia’ due to his work as Governor of New South Wales, was born on Ulva in 1761. The island is also known for its miles of scenic waymarked walks.

Take this challenge, for a fun family trail across Mull & Iona.

Solve the clues and discover more about our magical islands: www. mullandionaquest.co.uk

www.visitmullandiona.co.uk/guides

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The Outdoor Capital of the UK awaits you

Brodie Hood Photography.

www.outdoorcapital.co.uk Lochaber is full of stunning landscapes and beautiful waterways that are ready for you to explore this spring.

Whether you want to find a trail for walking or biking, or to explore the open water, you’ve found the right place.

This vast, diverse location nestled in the Scottish Highlands offers you a range of activities and a chance of adventure. Stretching from the Great Glen to the most westerly point on the British mainland within the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.

Let the season rouse your senses as you witness the awakening of the landscapes and waterways, trails, canals and lochs from changing colours to emerging wildlife.

The Outdoor Capital of the UK presents a range of activities for you to enjoy during your stay: Tour and bike the Great Glen with Caledonian Discovery. Come aboard one of their barge holidays along the Caledonian Canal or perhaps spend an afternoon relaxing and taking in the views with

Loch Shiel Cruises, based in beautiful Glenfinnan.

If you’re seeking a water-based adventure then Rugged Paddleboarding can offer you iconic views of Glencoe as you stand on water.

Explore more open water with River to Sea Scotland and encounter sealife and stunning beaches from your canoe or kayak, taking in the views from Arisaig to The Small Isles.

If you’re after an adrenaline fix, then Active Highs and Vertical Descents provide plenty of action and adventure on canyoning days, sea kayaking and white water rafting experiences. Can you complete the high-altitude climbing challenge of Kinlochleven’s Via Ferrata?

Even the wet days here have an upside as ‘today’s rain is tomorrow’s whisky’.

Make your way to Fort William and enjoy a warm welcome at Ben Nevis Distillery or head to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula to tour Nc’nean Distillery.

With plenty of indoor options, too, you can scale heights at 3 Wise Monkeys climbing wall and relax in the comfort of recently opened Highland Cinema, offering you the latest releases and yummy food.

The Outdoor Capital of the UK is open for your unique Lochaber experience – plan your adventure at outdoorcapital. co.uk and connect with us on social media @outdoorcapitaluk. We can’t wait to meet you!

Brodie Hood Photography.

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50 BEST CINEMAS IN THE UK

the perfect destination come rain or shine!

Highland Cinema, fort william’s newest attraction independent cinema and café bar, serving pizzas, sharing platters, hotdogs, treats and more, plus local beers, spirits and cocktails.

Open daily from 10am.

www.highlandcinema.co.uk

Where will your journey take you?

Outdoor Capital of the UK

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ADVENTURE CRUISES

OF SCOTLAND “This is a pioneering adventure and we are indeed bound for a spirit soaring world of lingering sunsets, encounters with everything from porpoises to minke whales, and working harbours that are an untouristed joy.”

Robin McKelvie, The Telegraph

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Bass Rock & under the 3 Forth Bridges

ABOUT NOVA SPERO Small boat cruising with 7 heated cabins on board Cruise options all year around Departures from Fort William, Inverness, Wick, Arbroath, Kyle of Lochalsh & Leith Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

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lochaber

hand pick Top TEN

things to see, do and expe

The Nevis Range Nevis Range in Fort William is home to the UK’s only mountain gondola, transporting you to 650m on the mountain of Aonach Mòr, and is an adventure playground situated just outside Fort William with ample parking, café facilities, walks, biking trails, snowsports, and much more. www.nevisrange.co.uk

Glen Nevis and Ben Nevis Britain’s highest mountain attracts around 100,000 visitors a year, from mountaineers to novice walkers. Set in the lovely Glen Nevis, its surroundings are worth exploring too – do prepare carefully and get advice if you’re planning a challenging walk. www.outdoorcapital.co.uk/ben-nevis/

West Highland Way This 96-mile long-distance walk starts in Milngavie and takes hikers along Loch Lomond and through Glencoe, finishing in Fort William.

It takes several days, but you can hop on to sections of footpath for shorter walks too. westhighlandway.org

Glencoe There’s drama aplenty in Glencoe, whether you’re talking history, wildlife or staggering views. Stop for refreshment in the picturesque Glencoe village, learn about the glen’s history at the NTS Glencoe Visitor Centre, or rush down the snowy corries at Glencoe Mountain Resort. www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/glencoe

Steall Waterfall The spectacular waterfall is situated in Glen Nevis near Fort William, Highland (PH33 6SY). It is Scotland’s second-highest waterfall and also the second highest in the United Kingdom, with a single drop of 120 metres.

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Commando Memorial Dedicated to the men of the original Second World War British Commando Forces, this Spean Bridge monument offers views of Ben Nevis and Aonach Mòr and a chance to reflect on the impact of the conflict here. www.outdoorcapital.co.uk

Fort William Fort William’s cobbled town centre reflects its role as a hub for outdoor sports, with plenty of shops selling gear for your mountain adventure. It has been revitalised recently with the addition of new eateries and independent shops such as the Highland Bookshop.

West Highland Museum Housed in the former British Linen Bank on Fort William’s Cameron Square, this long-standing museum tells the story of the region and its people – including a collection on the Jacobites. www.westhighlandmuseum.org.uk

Mallaig Visit the fishing village of Mallaig at the end of the A830 travelling from Fort William and ride the ferry from Mallaig to Inverie during a quick, 30- 45-minute cruise with Western Isles Cruises. www.westernislescruises.co.uk

Highland Cinema Relax in the state-of-the-art facilities on Lochaber’s new independent cinema based in Cameron Square, Fort William and catch the latest releases, tasty treats and drinks from their café bar. www.highlandcinema.co.uk

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Hidden Highland holiday luxury

Tucked out of sight, but each with stunning views across to the Small Isles and Skye, the four Cairn Lodges offer the finest, eco-friendly, high-class, accommodation you could wish for

lins, Skye, Eigg and Rum along with silver beaches on the mainland.

‘Are the actual views as good as the photographs on your website?’ people ask when booking a stay at Cairn Lodges and the answer is yes, in fact, they are even better.

Step forward architect Nigel Johnston of nigeldesign.co.uk, the man behind many leading community structures and houses, who lives nearby and knows and loves the area.

They look out onto one of the finest views in Scotland.

A topographical study was carried out to place the lodges and the accompanying reception area into the contours of the land and this has been done with empathy to give the lodges stunning views, privacy and plenty of space and wilderness between them within the 15-acre site.

The four lodges, which launched in April 2022 are between two of the most famous beaches on the original Road to the Isles, Traigh and Camusdarach and look out onto an Inner Hebridean landscape of land, sea, islands and sky that features the Cuil-

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It is a location which has inspired artists, musicians, photographers, filmmakers and writers across the years.

‘Every minute it changes; the light, the way the sun hits the sea and the islands. Even the weather, you can see the weather coming in,’ said Darren Blower who runs Cairn Lodges with his wife Josephine. ‘It is a magnificent place to live, work and come for your holidays.’

The one thing you might have difficulty seeing is the lodges themselves; one condition of the planning permission for this stunning, strictly-protected landscape was that the buildings should not be visible from the road, but integrate discretely into the landscape.

‘Completely hidden; you would not know the lodges are here,’ said Darren, ‘you only see the entrance from the road.’

The principle builders were Knoydart Construction in Mallaig and the major suppliers were Travis Perkins, Fort William.

‘We used local businesses, labour and suppliers wherever possible,’ said Darren. ‘The people who worked on the project, and the community, have been a great source of support and we want to thank them.

‘When we applied for planning permission people were right behind us from the start, saying what an asset the lodges would be.’

Holiday in the Highlands in luxury Each of the four lodges is fully-equipped to the highest standard and the unique décor within each reflects a special touch of luxury, right down to the artwork, featuring work

by Ron Lawson via the Mallaig Art Gallery. The light and airy living spaces feature wooden floors and high-end designer furnishings.

Rum and Skye lodges each have three bedrooms; Eigg, two bedrooms, and Muck a single bedroom. The quality kitchens are all fully-equipped and

all have washing machines with the exception of Muck. The lodges all have smart televisions.

couples and available all year round for short breaks and just the thing for a quick escape from life.

Log-burners and underfloor heating keep these wooden lodges warm and cosy all year round for autumn, winter and Christmas breaks.

Greener holidays

Outside, each has a Swedish-style log-burning hot tub.

The lodges Skye: the largest lodge with three bedrooms, sleeping up to six in two double bedrooms, one en-suite, and one bunk bedroom. Spacious living, kitchen and diner area, with a log-burning fire and shower room just off the main entrance.

Rum: Slightly smaller than Skye with the same layout of three bedrooms sleeping up to six, with two double bedrooms, one en-suite, and one bunk bedroom.

Eigg: With two bedrooms sleeping up to four, with one en-suite double bedroom with shower and one twin room; designed with the smaller family holiday or friends holidaying together in mind.

Muck: A luxury one-bed space that sleeps up to two in one double (or twin) bedroom with an en-suite. Also open plan with generous amounts of space and light, perfect for romantic

The Cairn Lodges business ethos works in sympathy with sustainability and the environment in mind.

As well as locally-sourced products and workforce wherever possible, the wooden lodges have turf roofs, the highest standards of insulation, airsource heat-pump underfloor heating and hot water, log-burning stoves and log-burner hot tubs.

For people wanting to holiday car-free the Arisaig and Morar railway stations are close by and a local taxi company can meet the trains on this most famous stretch of the West Highland Line.

Leave London by sleeper; step off in Fort William the next morning and onto the Mallaig train. E-bikes are available at Cairn Lodges for guests to use.

Design your own holiday at Cairn Lodges In creating Cairn Lodges the Blower family have designed the perfect holiday for everyone.

The different-sized lodges and bedroom combinations make for perfect individual holidays and can also be hired together for a larger gathering of family and friends.

The reception area can be converted into space to accommodate small social gatherings, meetings or courses, whether they are business or for leisure, creative activities and tutoring.

Darren and Josephine are delighted that Cairn Lodges have already been booked outright for a wedding and there is a celebrant available to conduct marriages.

‘We can add a small marquee at the back of the reception space – and beach weddings are very popular in this area,’ said Darren.

Dog friendly All guests are welcome at Cairn Lodges, including the four-legged members of your family.

There is a warm-water dog-wash to get rid of all that beach sand and other things best rinsed away.

Human welcome packs at Cairn Lodges include kindling, logs, toiletries, and kitchen products. Canine guests receive a welcome pack of biscuits, treats and an all-important ball for games of fetch on the beach.

A warm welcome from the Blower family The Blower family has been connected with the area for a quarter-century – husband and wife Darren and Josephine run the lodges; Darren’s parents Joe and Vanessa are also involved.

The family took over Western Isles Cruises when the Watt family retired after two generations.

Their boats not only provide commercial services, cruises and wildlife trips, but are at the heart of the community thanks the lifeline services to remote Inverie and Tarbet in Loch Nevis and the Highland Council ‘school run’ taking pupils to and from the Small Isles to Mallaig. Guests at Cairn Lodges have the offer of a discount booking.

The family also runs Ceithir Raithean self-catering.

The historic Road to the Isles, the A830 from Fort William to Mallaig was upgraded with widening and a bypass. Cairn Lodges are off the B8008, part of the original, mostly single-track, route between Arisaig and Morar.

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In pursuit of

LASTING ADVENTURE This season, we’re coming together to bring you more adventure. We don’t just share passion and expertise but also a duty to protect the outdoors.

Together we can walk, run, camp and ski but we can also learn, change and make a difference.

We’re here to find you the right kit and help you make it last, for adventure, for the planet.

Discover the best brands and service including expert fitting with free gait analysis in-store. Let’s run together.

Make the right choice with our experts.

Find your local Cotswold Outdoor and Runners Need store at: High St, Fort William PH33 6AD 71

If you’re looking to do something special in Fort William, you will love this.

Our boat trips depart Fort William’s Town Pier onboard our modern and efficient passenger boat ELSIE. Affectionately known by locals as ‘The Orange Boat’.

En route, you will be kept fed and watered by our friendly crew and entertained with a live commentary on the local industry, history, wildlife, and geology from our skipper.

Don’t worry – there is a W/C onboard too!

Elsie has both indoor and outdoor seating, suitable for our famous “four seasons in one day” west coast weather.

As well as an elevated 360-degree viewing deck which is perfect for wildlife spotting!.

Stunning variety of Wildlife • Sea eagles • Otters • Seals • Golden Eagles • Porpoises and much more!

Breaktaking Sights • Ben Nevis • Glaciation – The Great Glen Fault • The Black Houses • West Highland Way • Caledonian Canal • Corpach Shipwreck

BOOK ONLINE NOW

Cruise Loch Linnhe , Fort William Town Pier, PH33 6DZ

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west highland peninsulas

West Highland Peninsulas are the areas of Sunart, Morven, Moidart, Ardgour and Ardnamurchan – this is where Lochaber meets the Atlantic. Stunning coastline, crystal clear waters, pristine beaches, hills, lochs, rich woodland, extraordinary wildlife and vast dark skies – changing with the seasons, it’s all here for you to explore and enjoy.

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Spring is especially beautiful, with an abundance of wild flowers scattered through ancient woodlands and public gardens, blankets of bluebells for you to feast your eyes on. The area offers you a chance to see amazing wildlife – birds and otters will stay around as they take care of their young, so they will be easier to spot.

With 230 miles of contrasting coastline, you will never be further than stone’s throw away from a one of our pristine beaches where you can go for a daytime stroll or just sit and take in that breath-taking sunrise or that perfect sunset. Find your own perfect beach for rock-pooling, swimming, canoeing, bird watching and photography. With beautiful sea lochs and stunning freshwater lochs we provide visitors with opportunities to do a whole host of things either on, in or by the water.

Exploring the coastline by sea kayak or open canoe brings a new perspective.

Ardgour mountains over Loch Linnhe

• Open waters swimmers will be in heaven every day.

• Scuba dive our historical wrecks and protected reefs.

• Wildlife watches can explore two Marine Protected Areas.

• Families and beach lovers will find space to unwind and escape.

We have one of the best dark skies in the country. Early spring will offer some night sky viewing with over 7,000 stars and planets visible with the naked eye. You’ll see our own galaxy, The Milky Way, stretching across the sky. This is a privilege that so few people in our country have, so why not come here and let us share it with you.

Loch Sunart

ardnamurchan

hand picked Top five

things to see, do and experience

Sanna Bay The perfect spot for a picnic, this large beach is one of Ardnamurchan’s favourite destinations, with ice-blue water and, especially in spring, surrounding sand dunes bursting with colourful flora.

Wildlife Ardnamurchan is home to flagship species from eagles and ospreys to pine martens, red squirrel and red deer, plus tiny delights such as orchids and rare butterflies. Book a tour with an expert, learn more at the Ardnamurchan Natural History Visitor Centre, or just head out and keep your eyes peeled.

Ardnamurchan Point & Lighthouse

views and an imposing lighthouse.

Mainland Great Britain’s most westerly point is the outcrop of Corrachadh Mòr – just south of here.

Ardnamurchan Distillery One of Scotland’s newest distilleries, Ardnamurchan is beautifully located on the shores of Loch Sunart and is in the process of producing both peated and unpeated whiskys. Open for tours.

Camas nan Geall Home to a neolithic cairn, bronze age standing stones and historic cemetery, Camas nan Geall, on the south of the peninsula is worth visiting for the views of Loch Sunart and curved sandy beach.

The windswept, isolated tip of the Ardnamurchan peninsula boasts dramatic

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The Road to the Isles

www.roadtotheisles.com The West Highland route from Fort William to Mallaig and onwards to the Small Isles, Skye, Knoydart and Uist is known as the ‘Road to the Isles’. This world-renowned journey, described as the most scenic in the world, is also a must-stay holiday destination in 2022 as we celebrate Scotland’s Year of Stories.

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You’ll enjoy dramatic landscapes, breath-taking beaches, and a real sense of place. As well as the world-famous rail journey and the historic attractions, the area boasts outstanding beaches, rugged hills and heather moors. You’ll find accommodation to suit all travellers and award-winning restaurants specialising in seafood and game.

Nature and the landscape influences much of what happens here. Watch the local fishermen land their daily catch at Mallaig’s bustling pier, sea kayak from Arisaig, take guided walks on Knoydart and wildlife cruises from Glenfinnan, Mallaig and Arisaig.

Your stay in the area will be enriched by visiting the Small Isles, a stunning archipelago of steeped in history and filled with wildlife.

Each season here is joyous in its own way, but spring is exceptionally beautiful. Wildflowers, vibrant sunsets, and the arrival of wildlife give the season a distinctive feel, and the pace of life is slower and more peaceful. Engage all your senses by strolling the incredible beaches, tasting the salty sea spray, listening to the seabirds overhead and watching the rush of the tide.

A visit to the Road to the Isles promises to leave you with a full heart and a yearning to return.

Looking towards Glenfinnan monument

www.roadtotheisles.com

road to the isles

Top five

things to see, do and experience

Harry Potter Viaduct The West Highland Line is one of the world’s most popular railway journeys and crosses the 21-span Glenfinnan Viaduct, which features in the Harry Potter films. Experience it from a steam train, or take the Scotrail service from Fort William.

Beaches Explore some of Scotland’s most incredible beaches. Stroll the beautiful white sands and crystal-clear waters of Traigh, Camusdarach and the Silver Sands of Morar.

Glenfinnan Monument A statue of a lone Highlander high above Loch Shiel is a reminder of the loss of life in the Jacobite risings, and the fact that Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard here to start the 1745 campaign.

A tour of the adjacent visitor centre gives fuller understanding of the site’s significance.

Mallaig A working fishing village that connects the mainland to the islands beyond, Mallaig was once the busiest herring port in Europe and is still renowned for its smoked kippers and seafood. Enjoy the views on the Mallaig Circuit walk, a wildlife cruise or select some lovely handmade gifts and souvenirs to take home. Mallaig also has some great places to experience the finest local produce whilst taking in the spectacular vista.

Arisaig The perfect choice for those wishing to explore the great outdoors.

Wilderness walks, spectacular beaches, golf course, Kayak centre, visitor centre/museum, beautiful gardens, marina, restaurants, cafés and local pub/hotel, where you can often enjoy live traditional folk music from the world’s finest musicians.

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THE GREAT GLEN

great glen edit

From the thriving, bustling city of Inverness, capital of the Highlands, and sitting between the northern end of the Caledonian Canal and the Moray Firth to the southern tip of Loch Ness and historic Fort Augustus, this route carries you on a journey of mystery and monsters through waterways and glens that have been used as transport routes for thousands of years.

Fort Augustus, renamed after King George II’s younger son, Prince William Augustus, and fortified after the 1715 Jacobite rising, Cille Chumein, to give it its original Gaelic name, so called after St Cummin who built the first church there, is famous today for its historic Benedictine abbey, built in 1876, somewhat ironically on part of site of the army fort.

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It is also an important link in the Caledonian Canal, with the north/south and east to west waterway going through the middle of the village. North and west from Fort Augustus takes you on the popular route along the west shores of Loch Ness past the stunning battlements of Castle Urquhart from where you can scan the deep loch waters for signs of Nessie, the loch’s world-famous monster. If you don’t spot her, pop into the Monster Centre two miles further north at Drumnadrochit, where you can learn of the mystery that lurks beneath the waves.

To the north lies Inverness,which has everything you would expect of a busy modern city, while west of Drumnadrochit is beautiful Glen Urquhart and on into the tranquil straths and glens of Strathglass and Glen Affric.

Geologists will tell you that the Great Glen divides the North of Scotland along a line from Fort William to Inverness and that the fault is a very old feature and has been active since Mid Devonian times (c.400 million years ago).

The thousands of tourists who flock here each year will tell you it’s fantastic: the scenery, the wildlife, the outdoor activities, the sailing through the Caledonian Canal.

The Great Glen footpath is 73 miles between Fort William and Inverness, and it’s a walk through Scottish history, a magnificent slice of Scottish landscape and some very interesting geology.

River Lochy Loch Ness is the largest of three lochs located in the Great Glen. The present day Loch Ness is about 10,000 years old and dates from the end of the last Ice Age, which lasted more than 20,000 years.

Old enough to be home to creatures that should have died out a long time ago, you might think.

Keep your eyes peeled and the camera at the ready.

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Isle of Skye Set foot on the mystical Isle of Skye and you will appreciate just how appropriate this island’s name is. Taken from the old Norse Sky-a, which means ‘cloud island’, it is a place where the heavens feel close enough to touch – never more so than near jagged Cuillin ridge, a spectacle that so often rises from the land shrouded in mist.

As well as busy centres such as Portree and Broadford, the island boasts museums and visitor attractions alongside historic village inns, sea view bed and breakfasts and celebrated restaurants which specialise in locally-sourced game and seafood.

Skye’s castles are among its most imposing attractions. Dunvegan Castle – the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland – has been the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years. Armadale Castle is the centrepiece of the Clan Donald estate, which also includes gardens and a museum, and if you are seeking

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atmosphere, head for the ruin of Knock Castle, on the east coast of Sleat.

Human history, however, is just a recent phase in Skye’s story. Here, as well as following in the footsteps of ancestors, you can actually walk in the footprints of dinosaurs (sauropods) at Brother’s Point in the north west, or look for ammonite and belemnite fossils at Elgol or Bearreraig Bay. Discover more about remarkable finds on this Dinosaur Isle at Staffin Dinosaur Museum in Trotternish.

Skye’s main town is the fishing port of Portree, with a wide selection of shops, galleries and eateries, and distinctive craft and gift shops. The ferry port villages of Uig and Armadale share a scenic appeal and are both also home to a handful of artisan businesses.

From jewellery to beer, and soap to ceramics, the landscape is the foundation of many of Skye’s most distinctive products. It is home to a diverse community of artists, artisans and entrepreneurs, who take inspiration from local culture and their unique environment.

Skye’s first village, Kyleakin, is home to the Bright Water Centre, where naturalist and writer Gavin Maxwell is remembered.

You can learn about Maxwell’s otters and book a tour to the wildlife haven of Eilean Ban, below the Skye bridge. At Kilmuir, you can visit the Skye Museum of Island Life, a township of preserved thatched cottages illuminating 19th-century life in the Hebrides. Colbost Croft Museum, at Dunvegan, also offers insight into a traditional way of life.

Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye.

Skye may be thriving, but it still has wilderness, and if you don’t feel in holiday mode unless you’re out of breath, soaked through or covered in mud, you will find adventures aplenty to choose from. From hiking in the mountains to kayaking the coast, or climbing, coasteering and mountain-biking, this is a setting where memories are made, with local experts on hand to guide, train and provide resources and back-up.

However you explore, Skye’s most profound rewards come from close encounters with the seascapes and landscapes, from the beach at little Talisker Bay – which shares its name with the island-produced Talisker whisky, to the Fairy Pools at the foot of the Black Cuillins near Glenbrittle.

The Red and Black Cuillin Ranges, and Trotternish Ridge (guarded by the imposing rock tower of the Old Man of Stoor) are formidable mountains however you choose to encounter them, but even their stature is not enough to put off the wildlife, from red deer to sea eagles, that you may spot on their formidable slopes.

Diary Date: Skye Live Music festival, May 12 to 14. A unique festival with an incredible backdrop, featuring Donnie Munro, Manran, Blazin’ Fiddles and more.

skye hand picked Top five

things to see, do and experience

Portree Skye’s main town is a bustling and colourful port used by both fishing and pleasure boats. There are plenty of shopping and eating opportunities, and you can take a walking tour to get your bearings.

Eilean Donan Castle One of Scotland’s most visited attractions, the enchanting silhouette of Eilean Donan Castle dominates the landscape around Dornie (on the mainland). This 13th-century castle was recently restored and is a must-see on the road to Skye.

Bright Water Visitor Centre This Kyleaken exhibition centre remembers the otter conservation work of Ring of Bright Water author Gavin Maxwell. Book tours here to nearby Eilean Bàn, a nature haven below the Skye Bridge.

Skye Ferry The Glenachulish, Scotland’s only remaining turntable ferry runs between Glenelg and Kylerhea in the summer season and is a novel and historic way to arrive on the island. www.skyeferry.co.uk

Arts and Crafts See the work of local artists and craftspeople in shops across the island – some studios are open to visitors too. As well as painting and sculpture inspired by the landscape, Skye specialisms include weaving, jewellery-making and ceramics.

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THE outer hebrides

Scattered at Scotland’s western edge, the Outer Hebrides are an enchanting world apart. A string of islands surrounded by the mighty Atlantic, they may share windswept landscapes and incredible wildlife, but each has its own, distinctive character.

In spring, they burst with life and colour, from the bleach-white lambs that will totter into your path, to the silver flash of mackerel and the pinks and yellows of flowers bursting through the grassy machair.

Gaelic tradition is strong in these communities, which are also known as the Western Isles, and the language and culture continues to influence all aspects of life, from music and literature to crofting, weaving and worship.

The Uists and Barra:

Linked by a chain of causeways, the islands known as the Uists are bound by nature, geology and history, imprinted with a lacework pattern of freshwater lochans and narrow sea lochs bordered with rocky

coves and pristine white beaches.

Lewis and Harris:

The diversity of the landscape ensures treats for nature lovers on land, shore and sea. Off-shore bird sightings include puffins, gannets and guillemots, while inland estuaries are home to waders, and moorlands provide prey for golden eagles and hen harriers. The long grass is a seasonal home for the elusive corncrake, particularly on the RSPB site at Balranald on North Uist.

Though referred to as though they are separate islands, Lewis and Harris are one land mass, the largest of the Hebrides.

Technology and communications mean the islands don’t seem quite as remote as they used to, but visiting can still feel like a step back to more simple times.

Lochmaddy (North Uist) and Lochboisdale (South Uist) are the islands’ main port settlements, with white Hebridean houses, local shops and hotels with views to die for. From Lochboisdale port, look over to Canna and Rum – and to the south, spot the little island of Calvay on which stands a lighthouse and the remains of Castle Calvay, once a hiding place for Bonnie Prince Charlie.

On Benbecula, hikers head to the summit of Rueval, while those staying close to the water can visit Poll na Crann beach to the west of the island – depending on the weather it can be a perfect sandy crescent, or covered in seaweed, the reason for its nickname ‘Stinky Bay’.

Barra is the most southerly of the inhabited Outer Hebrides, and has been a since the Bronze and Iron Ages – in more recent history it is best known as the setting for the 1949 classic film Whisky Galore!

Nowadays, the island’s attractions include the medieval Kisimul Castle, after which its main village, Castlebay is named, and its airstrip at Northbay – where scheduled flights take off and land on the beach.

If you have a hankering to travel to somewhere even more remote, these islands are also the launching point for tours to St Kilda, a remarkable world heritage site with soaring sea stacks, colonies of seabirds and ruins that give an atmospheric sense of how life would have been on this now-uninhabited isle.

Lewis and Harris boast some of the most beautiful and least polluted beaches in the United Kingdom. Luskentyre on South Harris is a huge crescent of white sand lapped by turquoise ocean that resembles a tropical island, while nearby Scarista is smaller and more sheltered, but equally scenic. On Lewis, Uig beach, where the 12th century, ivory ‘Lewis Chessmen’ were discovered, is a popular camping destination.

The story of Harris Tweed seems even more remarkable when you become acquainted with the island the internationally sought-after fabric comes from, and appreciate the traditional methods used to weave the wool. A handful of shops and visitor attractions sell clothes and tweed memorabilia, but ask around and you might also be fortunate to meet someone with the skill.

Corncrake.

These unusual islands boast more world-famous exports. The distillery in Tarbert, Harris has quickly become renowned for its beautifully-bottled gin, while Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis, is not only the Outer Hebrides bustling hub, it is also home to Stornoway black pudding or ‘Marag Dub’. This sausage, made from oatmeal, suet, onion and animal (usually sheep) blood has gained protected international status. Once you’ve tried the delicacy, breakfast will never be quite the same again.

Diary Date: The HebCelt Music Festival, July 13 to 16 will include performances from Texas, Skippinish and Trail West.

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outer hebrides Top five

things to see, do and experience

Calanais Standing Stones This atmospheric stone circle, has a reputation as Scotland’s Stonehenge, and as the inspiration for Craigh Na Dun in the Outlander books. Mull over the various theories about the origins of this 5,000-year-old Neolithic monument while refueling at the visitor centre cafe. calanais.org

Harris Tweed Protected by Act of Parliament, every metre is woven to this day by hand, in the home of an islander and bearing the distinctive orb trademark. Some weavers provide demonstrations and welcome visitors to watch them at work. The Harris Tweed exhibition in Stornoway Town Hall reveals the secrets of this world-famous cloth. harristweed.org

Lewis Chessmen The Lewis Chessmen are among the best loved archaeological treasures in Britain. After being kept on the mainland for over 150 years, six of the pieces are now back in the Outer Hebrides and displayed in the Museum nan Eilean in Lews Castle, Stornoway.

Beaches The islands boast a string of white sand beaches that rival many found in the tropics. Everyone has their favourite, from Eoropie in the north to Vatersay in the south. And with more than 40 to choose from, there is plenty of space for everyone.

Gin & Whisky The Outer Hebrides went almost 200 years without a single (legal) distillery. Now we are making up for lost time with four (and more being planned). Compare our trio of gins – the Isle of Harris Gin, Barra Atlantic Gin and Downpour, the new kid on the block from North Uist – to find your own favourite island tipple.

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Let the Games Begin...

Saturday 23rd July 2022 5.30pm for 6.00pm Southend Playing Field Come and enjoy - traditional highland dancing competitions, Piping, Full range of Senior track and field events with cash and voucher prizes.

Children’s races and many other fun events.

Please contact John Galbraith on 830235 or email polliwilline@btconnect.com

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The Highland Games are an ancient tradition that has evolved to become a showcase for some of Scotland’s finest sporting and musical talent.

For many, these annual events embody the character of the region, and while there are usually competitions such as running races, that young and old can take part in regardless of experience, there are others, such as tossing the caber (a long, heavy pine pole) and stone put (like shot put, but with a heavy stone) which require years of training to master. The origins of Scotland’s Highland Games are believed to date back to at least the 11th century.

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All the fun of the farm

2022 Agricultural shows West Ardnamurchan Show & Sports Friday 22nd July 2022 Enjoy a fantastic family fun day in beautiful surroundings at Kilchoan’s well established Show and Sports. Agriculture Show runs from 09:30 to 11:30 and all the Main Events start at 11:30.

Attractions include: All Day BBQ & Bar; Senior & Junior Heavy Events; Junior Sports; Children’s amusements start 11.30 am; Pet Parade & Races; Tug-o-War; Stalls; Baking & Horticulture Competitions; Senior & Junior Hill Race; Live music and refreshments on the field from 5pm onwards (Fras) More information online: Facebook@westardnamurchanshowandsports

Mull And Morvern Agricultural Society

SALEN SHOW Thursday 11th August 2022 SHOWFIELD AT GLENAROS GATES OPEN 10AM ENTRY ADULT £5, CONC £3, FAMILY £14

62nd Annual Appin Agricultural Show Saturday 20th August, 2022 Tynribbie Croft, Appin Judging Starts 10am Sheep, Cattle, Highland Cattle, Dog show, Clydesdale Horse Display, Childrens’ Games / Races, Handcrafts, Floral Art, Flowers, Veg, and Honey, Highland Dancing, Vintage Engines, Hill race, poultry section and lots more PLUS Oban pipe BAND

Entry: Adults £ 5.00, Children & Conc £3 Free Parking 90

Bunessan Show Friday 5th August 2022 Bunessan School Ground Gates open 9.30am

Traditional Highland and Island Agricultural Show Entry: Adult £5.00, Conc £2.00, Car Parking £2.00 Licensed Dance to follow in Village Hall

Beinn Lee Band 9pm Dance Ticket: £10.00

Sunart & District Agricultural Society Show & Family Fun Day Out Saturday 13th August 2022 Strontian Showfield Judging Commences 9.30am

Sheep, Cattle, Dog Show, Gun Dog Display, Local Crafts, Highland Dancing, return of the Horse show and so much more Including Bubbles the Clown!

Adults: £ 5, Child: £2 Family: £12, Concession: £3 Family licensed ceilidh from 9pm onwards

Dalmally Agricultural Show Saturday 3rd September 2022 The Mart Park, Dalmally Gates open 9am Highland Cattle, Main Ring Attractions, Trade Stands.Something for all the Family!

Pipe band, dog show, birds of prey, heavy horse display. www.dalmally-show.co.uk

Food from our region For produce that is fresh and local, the West Highlands is the place to be. Here, you can enjoy just-caught game and seafood, locally brewed ales and single malt whiskies, Highland beef and hill lamb and home baked treats – all a stone’s throw from source.

Why not dedicate a day to enjoying all that’s delicious? Begin by sampling a hearty Scottish breakfast – whether you choose a Stornoway black pudding (from the Isle of Lewis), porridge with seasonal fruits, Loch Fyne Kippers, or the Oban-originated square Lorne sausage.

In the West Highlands the perfect setting

can only enhance your eating experience, whether you head to a waterfall for a picnic – perhaps some Arran cheese and oatcakes – take your time over tea with fresh-from-the-oven scones at a lochside hotel, or savour dinner with a sea view.

If you enjoy local fare in situ but don’t want the experience to end yet, there are plenty of specialist shops and home producers offering local delicacies to take away. The region hosts several farmers markets where you can enjoy a lively shopping experience and get hold of fresh local produce direct from the people who caught, farmed or created it.

A Highland holiday takes you to the heart of whisky and gin country, and you can visit distilleries and craft breweries on the mainland and islands to sample the taste and hear the story of your tipple. If alcohol isn’t your thing, you can quench your thirst with local lemonade, from Dunoon, or delicious Wee Isle Dairy milk.

Eating out The natural resources of this area are the envy of chefs the world over, many of whom have chosen to make their homes here because of the richness of the natural larder.

The flagship restaurants of many of the region’s celebrated hotels offer signature dishes which add a new twist to quality ingredients. Fine dining, usually with spectacular views and a wine and whisky list to match, is an option in bigger towns, but you might be surprised to find remarkable restaurants in out of the way places as well.

(‘home baking’ here really is made by locals in their own homes – try cherry scones and millionaire shortbread for starters).

Seafood is a particular speciality and it is a matter of pride for establishments that what appears on your plate was in the sea a matter of hours ago. Most chefs will be happy to share the precise provenance and you might even be lucky enough to look out of the window and watch the catch landed for yourself.

Among the destinations where fish is a particular source of celebration, are Tarbert, Loch Fyne, home to the popular Tarbert Seafood Festival, and Cairndow, near Inveraray, where the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar chain began. Carradale, on Kintyre, and Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, are good places to watch a catch landed and see fishing woven into the fabric of a community.

While traditional Scottish specialities retain a strong presence, the variety of visitors and the availability of fresh ingredients ensures a strong international influence. Dishes with a global theme appear on most menus and you will find speciality establishments, including French, Thai, Indian and Chinese too.

The tea rooms and coffee shops of the West Highlands have a growing reputation mouth-watering snacks, meals and hot drinks in atmospheric settings

Milk that’s hard to beat, from the only dairy farm on Gigha.

Pasteurised the low temp batch method.

Good old-fashioned drinking milk.

T. 01583 505 033

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Heritage Bakehouse

The Island Bakery

Heritage Bakehouse is a story of success. It is a bakery and sourdough school combined. Try our bread, if you like it, you can learn to make it!

Just outside Tobermory on the Isle of Mull you will find The Island Bakery, renowned for their organic biscuits, shortbreads and other organic delectables that make their way from Mull to good retailers across the UK and abroad. The business, which began as a local shop on Tobermory’s colourful main street run by husband and wife team Joe and Dawn Reade, has since developed into a specialist and unique bakery. As well as using organic ingredients in everything they produce, they are also the world’s only biscuit producer to do all their baking in wood-fired ovens. Using locally grown renewable timber, this is not only a low-carbon source of energy, but gives a slow and gentle bake. This really is a unique bakery, with award-winning and renowned products. Island Bakery fans rave about their Lemon Melts, and rightly so! At the inaugural ‘Best of Organic Market’ Awards run by the Soil Association, they were voted the ‘Nations Favourite Organic Product’. They haven’t been resting on their laurels however …. In the last 12 months they have begun producing biscuits made with Isle of Mull Cheese, and award-winning new oatcakes made with olive oil. Find them in good retailers across the Highlands – and beyond!

We make sourdough bread for Oban, Mull and the surrounding area, providing shops and cafe’s with a variety of breads and sweet bakes. We also deliver to Oban Food Hub (Market) on Thursdays and have online ordering from our website and from GoNaked organic veg Ltd. All our flour is organic Scottish milled. We support the Real Bread Campaign and the concept of bread that is free of additives, pesticide and yeast.

Each loaf is hand made and the recipe’s are created by baker Tracey Law. Each type of artisan flour is unique and requires understanding of how best to craft it. Some of our loaves are in tins and some as free form. Enriched sweet bakes include babka’s, buns and fruit loaves. We cater for vegan and wheat free. You can order for delivery to holiday homes around Oban, or see our website for shops who stock our bread.

Our Sourdough School is open Fridays and weekends. To avoid disappointment, see our availability online.

“I bought one of your loaves via Go Naked Veg. It’s to die for! Best bread ever. Cheers, Rebecca” heritagebakehouse.co.uk

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Also available to buy online at www.islandbakery.scot

Charles Macleod Ltd

Charles Macleod Ltd is a family business that stretches back over seven decades, established by Charles Macleod in 1947. A traditional crofting kitchen staple, our award winning black, white and fruit puddings are cooked daily on the premises and shipped to customers across the UK. Multi award winning, including several Great Taste Awards from the Guild of Fine Foods, our Stornoway Black Pudding is made with Scottish oatmeal to give a unique texture and the moist deep flavour is a result of high quality ingredients and fine balance of seasoning.

Black puddings arrived in Britain with the various wave of invaders which perhaps accounts for the variation between regions. Stornoway Black Pudding is unique in that it uses only the following ingredients in order of quantity; beef suet, oatmeal, onion, blood, salt and pepper with the addition of water. Stornoway Black Pudding is intrinsically linked to the area’s tourism, frequently purchased by visitors as a souvenir or ‘taste of the islands’. There is world recognition of the brand and the link back to Stornoway as an area. There is also a strong diaspora of the population from the Western Isles that regularly holiday in the islands, known as “coming home”.

Wee Isle Dairy

Wee Isle Dairy is based at Tarbert Farm on the northern end of Gigha. Since 2017 Emma Rennie Dennis and her family team have been pasteurising and bottling the farm’s milk, sending it out across Scotland in reuseable glass bottles. They only offer whole milk, as they state there is overwhelming evidence that the single biggest dietary cause of obesity is the consumption of lowfat milk. Whole milk satisfies both thirst and hunger, and by using the old fashioned approach to pasteurising, which involves heating the milk to 63˚C and holding it there for 30 minutes, the wonderful rich flavour of the milk is preserved.

Emma’s husband Don is the farm’s ice cream maker, and has been refining his recipes for the past 7 years.

This dedication has paid off, as their ice cream recently won an award at the Specialty Food Show at the SEC. Offering 16 flavours, their ice cream is sold in shops and served in hotels in Argyll and beyond - even reaching Stornoway! Using the milk from their herd, and old-fashioned egg yolk as the emulsifier, they have gained a growing fanbase for their ice cream as well as for their milk.

Tobermory Chocolate

We have been making our own range of handmade chocolates here, in Tobermory since 1991. We have always sourced the best ingredients possible and introduce new flavours whenever we find something delicious that we feel needs sharing.

Our all-time favourites are Rose and Violet creams, Mint selections, Milk and Dark chocolate truffles and Pralines.

However, our range is extensive and very varied. I am sure that you would enjoy looking and sampling for yourself, either in the shop or online where we have boxes and tins filled with selections and seasonal gifts.

Tobermory Chocolate is situated on the Main Street of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. If you are unable to visit the shop personally, fortunately, we have selections and a pick and mix section on our online shop. www.tobermorychocolate.com or telephone 01688 302526 Sadly, it is not possible to buy them anywhere else because we are too busy supplying our online customers as well as keeping up with demand in our own shop.

If you manage over to Mull and visit Tobermory, please call in and say hello. Tobermory Chocolate shop is open all year round and we’re always happy to put together selections, special gifts and wee bags of chocolate shapes for special occasions.

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