Taynuilt is a largish village with a population
of about 800, situated twelve miles from Oban. The name Taynuilt
comes from
the Gaelic "Tigh-an-Uillt" meaning the
"house of the stream" and was originally a horse
staging post and resting house for travellers. Bonawe House is in the trees on
the middle right of this picture.
Shopping. The centre of the village is a pleasant three-quarter of a mile walk from Bonawe House, along quiet roads, and has a small range of shops including a general store, post office, butcher, newsagents, antique shops, hairstylist and teashop. The Inverawe estate, a pleasant 10 minute walk from the house has a shop selling game and fish, with a tearoom attached to it.
Transport. The railway station is in the centre of the village with several trains a day arriving from Glasgow and Oban. There are also national buses from Oban, Glasgow and Stirling that stop in the village. We are happy to arrange to collect anyone arriving by public transport.
Eating out There is one hotel in the village within walking distance of Bonawe House, the Taynuilt Hotel, offering bar meals. The Robin's Nest tearoom in the centre of the village offers excellent light lunches. Inverawe tearoom, a walk across 3 fields has more extensive lunch options. A short drive away is Brander Lodge offering food and in Connel and Oban there are a large number of restaurants offering most types of food.
Things of Interest The boat trip up Loch Etive offers a chance to visit some of the wildest country in Scotland, only accessible by boat or a long walk. Bonawe Furnace provides an interesting exhibition of the effects of iron smelting on the local area (Bonawe House was originally built as the managers house for the furnace).
Churches There is the Church of Scotland, Muckairn Parish Church and a Roman Catholic church in the village.
Sports Taynuilt has a football and shinty field, tennis courts and a golf course. Oban also has a modern sports hall with swimming pool and another golf course.
Other Amenities There is a Doctor's surgery and a police station in the village.
Taynuilt Highland games take place on a Saturday towards the end of July each year.
