|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Things to See and Do Around Craobh Haven
Argyll
is a beautiful and unspoilt part of Scotland with an ancient story to
tell reaching back into prehistory. It has a huge range of things to
do, sights to see and places to go, from the spectacle of busy
fishing and yachting centres like Crinan and Tarbert to the shops,
cafes and local activity of towns such as Oban
and Lochgilphead.
The nearby village of Ardfern on the other side of the Craignish peninsular has
long had a re What makes Craobh Haven so special, whether it is simply the views from the hilltops around the Lunga Estate (or even the bedroom window of the cottage) or for places to seek out and visit, is the fascinating scattering of islands off this bit of coastline. Jura, Scarba, Shuna, Seil, Luing and Mull can all be seen from the cottages and Easdale, with its famous 'bridge over the Atlantic', is only a short drive. Europe's largest whirlpool, the Corryvreckan, is just off the coast here, and it's roar can sometimes be heard from across the waves. Wanderlust magazine said of the area, "This might be one of the most sparsely populated corners of Britain, but there is plenty to keep visitors enthralled. Outdoor enthusiasts can follow trails through glens and up hillsides, on foot or on horseback. There are cruises, both sedate and more adventurous, on the lochs and coastal waters. And for rainy days, or more leisurely paced visitors, there are castles and ancient sites to explore, reflecting a rich culture that revels in its past." Exploring the History, Landscape and Environment
|
|||
|
|
|
||
|
Oban Area |
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
Local
Features
|
In and Around the Village of Craobh HavenThe village of Craobh Haven (the first word is pronounced 'croove', after the Gaelic for a small tree or shrub) is a small, relaxed and welcoming community which was established in 1983 as a planned addition to the housing and holiday facilities of mid Argyll. Comprising only about 30 houses, it nestles on the north shore of the Craignish peninsular opposite Shuna island, on Scotland's beautiful West Coast. The village overlooks a group of small inshore islands which now shelter a fine yacht marina, and the stunning views take in the local islands of Shuna, Seil and Luing, as well as many better known islands from Jura in the South to the highlands of Mull in the North.
|
|||||||
|
Local
Features
|
|
||||||
|
The village pub, called The Lord of the Isles, is now run by Alastair Donaldson and partners Lynne Donaldson and Ed Quinn. They have quickly established an excellent reputation, not only for creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, but also for introducing high quality restaurant dining and serving tasty bar meals for all the family. Craobh Haven is also very close to the village and yachting centre of Ardfern, with its hugely popular pub, the Galley of Lorne, and an interesting wholefood cafe and international craft shop called The Crafty Kitchen. Or, heading north, do call into The Quaich village shop and cafe in Kilmelford for great home cooking and more.
|
|
 |
There are so many things to do immediately in and around the village that there is really little need to spend too much time in the car once you've arrived. For those with an interest in horses, the BHS-approved Ardfern Riding Centre just behind the village offers Western riding, trekking and hacking on pedigree Appaloosa horses. Craobh Haven Watersports can arrange much-praised boat trips among the numerous local islands (01852 500664). But if organised activity is not your thing, there is plenty of bird and sealife spotting to be done and lots of easy and spectacular walks and views right from the doorsteps of the cottages. |
|
Local
Features
|
|
 |
Craobh Haven is easy to find (click
here or on
the map to the left to see a detailed map. (Or
click here for a Google Map).
It is south of the well-known town of Oban, about half way between Oban and Lochgilphead. It is just over two hours drive from Glasgow via the A82 and A83, about 17 miles north of Lochgilphead on the A816.
|
 |
For SatNav users, the postcode is PA31 8UA. We send
detailed directions to the cottage on confirmation of booking, but TomTom
users can also download the location as a Point of Interest file by
right-clicking here and downloading
the zip file.
|
 |
The nearest railway station is in Oban, about 20 miles north, but
unfortunately trains
from Glasgow are fairly infrequent. Oban is also the main port for
Mull and the Islands where you can get ferries
to visit Mull, Iona, Colonsay and other islands as day trips or for
overnight stays. They also do sightseeing cruises.
|
 |
The bus from Glasgow stops in Lochgilphead before turning south to Campbeltown. A separate service leaves Lochgilphead in the morning calling in to Craobh Haven on its way to Oban and returning in the afternoon. |
|
Description |
Situated less than 100 yards from the sea, Craobh Haven Cottages combine the warmth and comfort of home with wonderful, unspoilt views of the islands and sounds of Argyll, from Jura in the South to Mull in the North.
Living AreaTraditionally built to ensure local character and charm, both Cottages have exposed timber beams and feature a real fireplace built with local stone. They are fitted and furnished to an award-winning standard throughout, and undergo continual renewal and improvement. The open-plan downstairs has a well-appointed kitchen beside a separate dining area and a spacious, comfortable sitting area with views to the west across the sea. The fireplace can burn coal, logs and peat and we provide fuel for your whole stay at no extra cost. Other features of the living area include a remote controlled 23" flat screen digital TV ('Freeview' channels only), a DVD player/VHS video recorder and a CD/cassette player with radio (although radio reception in the area is not good, unfortunately). The cottages have broadband WiFi and there is also a coin operated telephone for making calls (we can unlock the telephone socket on request if you would like plug in a laptop or make unrestricted calls - see below). There is a selection of games and books and we also maintain a folder of local information and brochures on things to do and places to visit.
BedroomsUpstairs each has a double-bedded master bedroom, with a very comfortable 5ft divan and kingsize duvet, a fitted wash-hand basin and full length wardrobe cupboards. The master bedroom has the west-facing sea view. The second bedroom has twin beds and plenty of storage space. Jura's twin room also has a wash basin and its third bedroom has twin full-size bunk beds. All beds except the bunk beds are fitted with electric blankets. The bathrooms in both cottages were recently refitted and have an electric shower installed over the bath, as well as new basins and baths. Bath, basin and WC are all sparkling white. Bath and hand towels for each guest, duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases are all provided at no extra cost. A cot is available if requested, but this does not have linen as most guests prefer to bring their own. |
|||
|
|
|
Description |
|
||
| << Back |
|
||
|
Description
|
|
|
|
Description |
|
|
Cottage |
Floorplan |
Photos |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jura Cottage |
 |
Living Room Kitchen/Dining Main Bedroom Twin Bedroom Bunk Bedroom |
A full Description of Jura Cottage's rooms and equipment inventory |
|
Islay Cottage |
 |
Living Room Kitchen/Dining Main Bedroom View to the West |
A full Description of Islay Cottage's rooms and equipment inventory |
|
Description |
|
 |
This animated graphic will hopefully give an idea of the grounds described here. Although Craobh Haven and its environs is private land, the landowners welcome well-behaved visitors who respect the necessary farming and recreational constraints and you should have no difficulty finding interesting walks and secluded coves to explore.
|
|
Description
|
We welcome well behaved dogs, cats and the occasional exotic beast. By 'well behaved' we mean that we ask you to keep them off the soft furnishings in the cottage (sofas, chairs, beds etc.) and downstairs rather than allow them in the bedrooms. We ask also that you clear up any dog mess deposited on the lawns around the cottages. Although it is quite easy to find areas where dogs can be walked off their leads, we would, of course, expect them to be kept under control at all times and on leads around children and farm animals. There is a charge of £10 per dog per week and a few specific Conditions of Booking which apply to guests who bring pets. Housetrained cats, birds (kept in their cages), hamsters, fish, newts and most other animals smaller than a turkey are free of charge but still subject to the terms of let. An additional charge may be made for any excessive cleaning or damage repair necessary following your stay.
|
|||
|
Description
|
Each Cottage has a coin operated telephone, and guests are provided with the number for incoming calls on confirmation of booking. If communications are important to you on your holiday, please contact us for advice. Mobile PhonesThe coverage for mobile phones is not good in Argyll and you may not be able to rely on your mobile phone working in the Cottage. Of the UK networks, Vodafone and O2 are probably strongest in the cottage, and Orange is, curiously, available on the shoreline outside the cottage, but not inside! Laptops, Email, WiFi and the InternetWe do not provide computers in the cottages so that it is easy to 'get away from it all'. However, we have installed a broadband WiFi internet connection for anyone who wishes to bring their laptop with them. For a one-off charge of £5.00 we will supply the password required. There are also internet cafes in Oban and Lochgilphead. Unrestricted Phoneline AccessIf you expect to have to make or take a number of phone calls during your stay, or would like access to the telephone line socket for a laptop or other telecommunications device, this is not a problem. For a minimum charge of £5.00 we will arrange open access to the socket and replace the coin phone with a standard handset. We will monitor your actual call charges and bill you for any costs beyond £5.00.
|
|||
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
|
Schofields Ltd |
J L Morris Ltd |
5. To vacate...
|
Description |
|
||
| << Back | |||
|
Description |
|
|
|
Description
|
|
|
|
Craobh Haven is easy to find (click
here or on
the map to the left to see a detailed map. (Or
click here for a Google Map).
It is south of the well-known town of Oban, about half way between Oban and Lochgilphead. It is just over two hours drive from Glasgow via the A82 and A83, about 17 miles north of Lochgilphead on the A816.
|
|
|
For SatNav users, the postcode is PA31 8UA. We send
detailed directions to the cottage on confirmation of booking, but TomTom
users can also download the location as a Point of Interest file by
right-clicking here and downloading
the zip file.
|
|
|
The nearest railway station is in Oban, about 20 miles north, but
unfortunately trains
from Glasgow are fairly infrequent. Oban is also the main port for
Mull and the Islands where you can get ferries
to visit Mull, Iona, Colonsay and other islands as day trips or for
overnight stays. They also do sightseeing cruises.
|
|
|
The bus from Glasgow stops in Lochgilphead before turning south to Campbeltown. A separate service leaves Lochgilphead in the morning calling in to Craobh Haven on its way to Oban and returning in the afternoon. |
Do get in touch - we would be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can Check Availability using a special online form. You can Book online too (once you have checked availability!) Or why not simply email us if you want to know anything at all about the cottages or the area. Email using the address: 2008contact@NOSPAMcraobhcottages.co.uk (but remove the word NOSPAM before sending!). Or, of course, you can write, phone or fax... Craobh Haven Cottages
|
||||||
 There are many links to other websites throughout these pages, especially in the Local Area section (click on words highlighted with blue underline or equivalent). Here we have collected some further links which may help with planning your holiday in Scotland. If we can't help with your self catering accommodation, or if you are looking for alternative places, perhaps to spend a second week or short break, try these:
Links
to other self-catering properties across Scotland who we recommend as known
personally to us or as Members of the ASSC.
A
comprehensive and well structured site for accommodation, what's on and lots of
miniguides to local areas across Scotland.
|
||||
|
 |
We are proud of Scotland's tourism, and passionate about offering an experience that our guests and visitors will tell people about when they get home. We support the Pride & Passion for Scotland movement which aims to inspire and motivate more people in Scotland to be the visitors' champion, and to give them (you!) and exceptional holiday. |
 |
Creative Exchange: A powerful team of facilitators specialising in creative design and facilitation of organisation, team and personal development. www.creativeexchange.co.uk |
 |
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) is a worldwide network of Fellows who are committed to working to create a civilized society based on a sustainable economy by stimulating debate, developing new ideas and encouraging appropriate action. www.thersa.org |
© Matthew Haggis, Craobh Haven Cottages 2008
The copy, design and layout of this website are
copyright and may not
be reproduced in any form whatsoever except with the express
permission
of the author. Logos for links to related sites included with
permissions excepted.
|
The Local Area The Village The Cottages Comments Weekly Rates Check Dates Book Now! Contact Links Home |
putation
as the 'left bank of Argyll' and is home to an eclectic mix of engaging locals,
'white settlers' and ageing hippies!
Argyll is the ancient homeland of the original 'Scots' whose
leader, Kenneth McAplin, came over from Northern Ireland to claim the
kingdom of Dalriada as his own. It therefore has a unique place in
Scottish history and there are many sites of historical and
archaeological interest in the area, including pre-historic stone circles of
awesome mystery. The sixth-century hill fort of Dunadd rises majestically
from the Moine Mhor (Great Moss), which is also a
As the epicentre of Argyll holidaymaking,
the Oban area is particularly well served with visitor attractions, places
to eat and
interesting shopping. (Not to mention
2008contact@NOSPAMcraobhcottages.co.uk
