Kilmelford, the area around our holiday cottages

Kilmelford, the local village 1½ miles away, has a well-stocked local store and Post Office. Groceries can be ordered in advance and delivered to your cottage prior to arrival. The shop also houses the Quaich cafe, which offers tasty snacks and home baking daily plus a selection of interesting crafts.

The local hotel and public house, the Cuilfail Hotel, is an old coaching inn and retains that traditional feel. Snacks and meals are served in the public bar.

For everything you need to know about the Kilmelford area, look at the Community website, www.kilmelford.com. It lists all local businesses, news items, gossip and much more...

Visit the beautiful Arduaine Gardens, just 4 miles away, where the warmth of the Gulf Stream nurtures the rare and exotic plants and shrubs. Enjoy a coffee or bar lunch at The ChartroomII before or after your visit.

Craobh Haven, about 6 miles away, has a lively marina where you can board the Farsain for a 3 hour wildlife cruise through the Gulf of Corryvreckan. Afterwards enjoy a snack at The Lord of the Isles.

Wonderful boat trips through the Corrie Vreckan whirl pool can be experienced on Farsain Cruises at Craobh Haven . Something for all the family – see golden and sea eagles, wild goats, deer, seals and more, with skipper Duncan Phillips. Bookings at Melfort Reception or call 01852 500664. For more information about other fantastic local boat trips and cruises try the Whirlpool Scotland website.

Kilmelford has an enviable reputation for wild brown trout fishing on the many hill lochs around the area. The sea fishing in the area is also excellent, offering a wide variety of species. For more information on fishing in the area have a look at Fishing-Argyll.

There are many lovely walks in the hills surrounding the cottages - a booklet recommending our favourites is available from reception where you may purchase Ordnance Survey maps and guide books. The Argyll Forestry Commission offers specially marked hiking trails and cycle routes and provide detailed leaflets.

If you would like a "Spring Watch" experience and enjoy a really special day which combines being close to nature, good food and learning a new skill, then we can recommend Loch Visions. Learn how to photograph wildlife on the banks of beautiful Loch Awe. (Tel: 01866 833272)

The area around Melfort Village is steeped in ancient history. Kilmartin Glen has everything you need to satisfy your need for knowledge; standing stones, cairns, castles and duns, a museum and plenty of places for refreshment. Melfort Village is ideally situated just 20 minutes from Oban, the Gateway to the Isles.

The Wishing Tree walk

The wishing tree walk is a great favourite with our guests, offering beautiful views across Loch Melfort and down the sound of Jura on the ascent. On a clear day, from the top, you can look across the Firth of Lorn to the mountains of Mull in the background.

The wishing tree is a good stopping off point – sadly, the tree has fallen down recently, but it still in situ and fenced off to protect it. You can see the hundreds of copper coins embedded in the bark – the hawthorn was a sacred tree in the Celtic culture and the practice was to make your wish or prayer at the tree and then offer a coin to the spirits or fairies!

Most people prefer to drive along the Degnish peninsula, leaving their cars and walking along and over the hillside to the wishing tree and beyond to Ardmaddy Castle and Gardens.

A good trick is to get someone to meet you in a car at Ardmaddy and then call in to the Tigh-an-Truish pub for refreshments!

What a nice end to the day!