Loch Etive Cruise – 01866 822 430 – no website I’m afraid
Stunning scenery for three hours. You can sit on the deck upstairs or at the front downstairs, or inside. Drinks and snacks are available. See seals, deer, buzzards and eagles, many other birds and stunning mountain scenery.
The cruise normally runs twice a day from Easter to October. The morning cruises is at 12.00, and last 1½ hours, to the seals and back (£5 adult, £3 children, £13 family). The afternoon cruise is 3 hours, from 14.00 (£9 adults, £5 children, £23 family). Don't forget your binoculars and warm/windproof clothing.
10 minute walk. Go out of our front gate. Turn right after 50 yards through the gate down the track alongside the furnace. When you meet the tarmac road turn right, and the pier is at the end of the road (not Kelly’s pier, but the second pier).
Inverawe Fisheries – www.inverawe-fisheries.co.uk 01866 822 777 – this number is for booking fishing lessons only.
Inverawe fisheries does fishing lessons, including hire of tackle, either half day o full day. Have to book in advance.
Beginners lochan £14 for 2 hrs, incl rod. Starter lesson for under 12’s £17, incl rod. Half day lesson £29.50 incl gear, 1 hr lesson, then fishing with instructor near by. Salmon fishing on the river, £15 to £40 for a day.
I understand that the falconry is unfortunately no longer running from Inverawe. Updates on our blackboard.
Inverawe is a great place to go, pleasant tearoom and delicatessen, lots of walks around their grounds, see the fishing.
Ceilidh - Taynuilt Village Hall (pronounced Kay-lee)
Every Thursday night from 8 pm during the 2 summer months there is usually a Ceilidh in Taynuilt Village Hall. Taste the highland life, with performances of local adults and children, celebrating Gaelic culture.
Bonawe Furnace- Taynuilt 01866 822 432
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/properties_sites_detail?propertyID=PL_036
Obviously the place to see as you are staying in the manager's house. A booklet on the furnace is in reception. The furnace displays how it would have worked, by some visual displays, but mainly text and pictures. It is managed by Historic Scotland but belongs to the Huntington's who used to own Bonawe House as well. Opening hours 9.30 till 18.30 from 1 April to 30 September.
1 minute walk. From our front gate, turn right in 50 yards through the gate, the main entrance is 200 yards down on your left.
Prices 2006: £3.50 for adults, £2.50 concession, £1.50 children, or you can get a combined ticket with Dunstaffnage Castle on the same day – buy on-line for a discount.
Ben Cruachan – The Hollow Mountain – 01866 822 618 – www.visitcruachan.co.uk
Beats walking up it, just go inside. Ben Cruachan collects water from all around to drive the 400 MW turbines, that can also be reversed, so that water can be pumped up at night, generating electricity during those Corrie and football breaks. There is a free exhibition centre, with gift shop and tearoom, and you can get a guided tour by bus inside the mountain. Very unusual.
Prices 2006: adults £3.75, conc £2.75 children 6 and up £1.25 for the guided tour by bus. I think these are on-line booking prices, so it might be a bit more if you pay at the door.
Inveraray Jail – 01499 302 381 – www.inverarayjail.co.uk
Open every day, 9.30 to 18.00 from apr-oct, and 10.00 to 17.00 in march and November.
Some people say their kids loved it, others think this place not suitable for children. A Victorian jail, including what they did to prisoners.
Prices 2006: adult £5.95, conc £3.95, child (4-16) £3, family £16.40
35 min drive: Drive east from Taynuilt on the A85. Go through Lochawe, just before Dalmally turn right towards Inveraray. At the end, you’re in the centre of Inveraray, turn right, and right again under arch to park. The jail is at the top of the high street by the roundabout.
Oban Distillery- 01631 562 110 – I can’t find a website for this
What can you say. Another distillery, and they’re all worth visiting!
It’s along the front in Oban, at the north end, just opposite the Bodyshop.
McCaigs Tower (Oban)
Oban's most prominent landmark providing panoramic views over the Sound of Kerrera and Firth of Lorne. Well signposted by foot from Oban centre, free entry (open air)
Kilmartin House – 01546 510 278 – www.kilmartin.org
Lots to see and do. There's lots of interesting information and things to do for kids (although the museum is very small). Fascinating website too. Through the glen are several sites to visit (free) with stone circles, Carnasserie Castle and Dunadd Hill. The top of Dunadd is where the Kings of Scotland used to be crowned before Scone took over (in the 11th century). Excellent tea room in a green oak conservatory, and gift shop with interactive displays. Open all year, every day, 10 am to 17.30, disabled access. Insider tip: ask in the shop if it is possible to see the ‘millenium table’, made from lots of different types of wood, and all sorts. If the room is not used you’ll be given a key to go over. It is exquisite!
1.25 hours by car. Head through Oban, towards Lochgilphead. You pass Arduaine Gardens, Ardfern, and then through Kilmartin. Kilmartin House is a sharp right opoosite the pub, just before the church (but a few miles before Lochgilphead).
Prices 2006 for museum: adult £4.75, child £1.50, family £10
The Scottish Crannog Centre – Aberfeldy – 01887 830 583- www.crannog.co.uk
Highly recommended, also with children. A crannog is a small man made island of which there were numerous in the Scottish Lochs which were inhabited by family groups during the stone age. This is a display centre where one has been rebuilt. A guide will talk you through what Scotland looked like, how it felt and what these people did. There is a demonstration of making fire, using a pole lathe, and lots of things to ‘have a go’. Obviously they have the compulsory tea room with views over the loch, or for somewhere more exquisite, visit the House of Menzies café (the chocolate brownies are particularly good), about a 10 minute drive. Also many special events, see website.
1.5 hours by car. From Taynuilt take the A85 towards Tyndrum. Turn right at Tyndrum through Crianlarich, staying on this road (now the A85 again). Ten miles on turn left at the ‘Killin’ signpost onto the A827. Go through Killin, and head all the way up the west side of Loch Tay to Kenmore. Drive through Kenmore and take the right turning signed to the Crannog Centre (this single track road takes you down the east side of Loch Tay). The Centre is about half a mile on, with parking on your left.
It is open mid March to end of Oct 7 days a week from 10.00 to 17.30. In November they are sometimes open. 2006: Adult £4.75, concessions £4, children £3, family £14