Our Recommendations 

The following are just a few of the local attractions which we think are particularly special, either from experience or because of their local reputation.  They are well worth including in your holiday if you can.

(Titles in your normal 'link' style - usually blue underlined - can be clicked to take you to that establishment's own web page.)

Dining Out
Gardens
Things to do
Shopping
 

Dining Out

The Waterfront Restaurant, Oban

This fantastic fish restaurant has recently become our favourite place in Oban, but we’re not alone so you are advised to book in advance.  Really, seriously good seafood “from the pier to the pan as fast as they can!”  Not cheap but very generous portions of the most delicious, freshest seafood, so excellent value for money.  Friendly, welcoming staff and relaxed, busy atmosphere popular with yachting fraternity, families and anyone who wants good local produce served piping hot and expertly cooked.  Great view across the bay too.  01631 563110

Coast, Oban

We think Coast is currently one of the very best restaurants in Argyll.  Immaculately prepared local and Scottish ingredients offered in an immaculately presented restaurant by a husband and wife team who clearly care about cooking and customer service.  Well worth a visit for a special occasion.  01631 569900

Seafood Temple, Oban

An amazing tiny restaurant in a converted lookout with fantastic views across Oban bay to Kerrera.  The freshest local seafood served simply cooked and delicious at very reasonable prices.  On the road out of Oban towards Gallanach and the Kerrera ferry.  Phone to book as they only seat 18 people!  01631 566000

Kilmartin House, Kilmartin

If you're not going too far afield, Kilmartin House Museum (on the way to Lochgilphead) has a very nice cafe for good, wholesome food during the day.  This award winning museum featuring the local archaeology and ancient history is under threat of being closed due to lack of funds, so please go in and buy generously from the cafe and shop!  01546 510278

Isle of Eriska Hotel

A magical hotel on its own little island north of Oban.  A bit of a drive, but worth it for an exceptional meal in exceptional surroundings.  Residents have priority in the restaurant and often fill it up, so phone to book before you get too excited!  01631 720371

Ee-usk

This nice fish restaurant recently moved from George Street onto the North Pier, Oban, into a light and airy glass-sided building with fine views past the fishing boats over Oban bay.  Good, fresh, West Coast seafood (and other options) at acceptable, if not cheap, prices.  01631 565666

The Tayvallich Inn

A delightful restaurant tucked well off the beaten track in Tayvallich, at the head of Loch Sween.  About an hour from Craobh down a long single track road beyond Bellanoch (south towards Lochgilphead, right at Cairnbaan, follow the canal towards Crinan).  This restaurant of high reputation has changed hands and we have not been yet - your comments would be warmly welcomed.  01546 870282

Crinan Hotel

World famous for its seafood, views (and prices!) this is a special experience.  Overlooking the basin at the Crinan end of the canal, it is an attractive and busy working/tourist place to visit.  There is also a coffee shop for snacks and good home baking during the day.  01546 830261

Kilberry Inn

Another lengthy but pretty drive down the West side of Kintyre to a small Inn serving excellent home-style cooking and selling home produce to take away.  01880 770223

The Lord of the Isles

The local pub in Craobh, called The Lord of the Isles, used to go up and down a bit in reputation, especially for food (chefs came and went a bit, making it difficult to predict.)  It is now run by Scott Galloway and Joanne Riddy and they have established an excellent reputation, not only for creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, but also for offering excellent restaurant dining and serving tasty bar meals for all the family.  01852 500658

Galley of Lorne

Over the hill in Ardfern (you can drive out of the village, South a mile or so and turn right, or you can walk (and drive at risk of your suspension) up behind Craobh Haven and over the dirt track past Lunga House.  A real 'local' serving good beer, bar meals and friendly hospitality.  01852 500284

The Shower of Herring

Small, friendly restaurant in Melfort Village (left turn just before Kilmelford, North of Craobh) which serves seafood and other local dishes.  Serves the timeshare development here and priced accordingly.  01852 200305

Crafty Kitchen

Also in Ardfern, a good wholefood cafe with interesting exhibitions and crafts for sale.  01852 500303

The Quaich Cafe & Shop

Home cooking cafe, village stores, and art/craft shop all rolled into one!  Well worth a visit if you're out and about, or en-route to or from Oban.

The Kitchen Garden

Excellent delicatessen with coffee shop and lunch restaurant in Oban.  See 'Shopping' below.  01631 566332

The Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Cairndow

Becoming world famous as the place to eat West Coast oysters, salmon and other seafood, especially since UK Chancellor Gordon Brown and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott allegedly stopped here to discuss the future leadership of the Labour Party.  A good stop on the way to or from the cottages - Cairndow is at the head of Loch Fyne and about an hour's drive away from Craobh Haven.  01499 600264

Taychreggan Hotel

A special hotel on the shores of Loch Awe, North of Oban.  Good for afternoon tea as well as dinner.  01866 833211

Ardanaiseig Hotel

The Ardanaiseig is a great place for a romantic meal, or just a walk in the gardens and afternoon tea.  Many years ago, the 100 acre wild woodland gardens were regarded as one of the natural splendours of Argyll, with rhododendrons, azaleas and other exotic shrubs.. Now sadly neglected, they are being restored in a way which will retain their romantic charm and mysterious atmosphere.  01866 833333

Dining Out
Gardens
Things to do
Shopping
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Gardens to Visit

Arduaine Gardens

A small National Trust garden just up road which has grown in reputation over recent years.

Crarae Gardens

Crarae are spectacular hillside gardens with lovely leafy walks.  Following closure due to lack of funds a couple of years ago, the National Trust took them over and is currently looking after them and fundraising to keep them open.

Ardanaiseig Hotel

Good for the gardens, the afternoon teas and the walks beside Loch Awe.

All three gardens are worth visiting at any time of year, but are particularly splendid in late Spring when the Rhododendrons and Azaleas are in bloom.

Dining Out
Gardens
Things to do
Shopping
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Things to do

Farsain Boat Trips

Duncan Phillips takes small groups out around the local islands in his small boat for well talked-about trips.  Seals and Jura's Golden Eagle are regularly sighted.  01852 500664

Appaloosa Western Riding

Ardfern Riding Centre (now officially in Craobh Haven as it is closer to Craobh than Ardfern, up the hill behind the village) has Appaloosa horses and specialises in Western style riding.  You can also go for European-style lessons, treks and hacks.  01852 500632 or 500270

Craignish Peninsular and other Walks

There are numerous fine walks in the area, many straight from the back door.  Scotland is great for walking because, as long as you keep dogs under control and do no damage, you can walk almost anywhere.  The books in the cottage give more detail, but we particularly recommend the walk down the coast to the tip of Craignish peninsular.

Kay's Little Hill

This expedition from Craobh Haven is a favourite of a good friend of ours, Kay Young.  She went on about it so much that we asked her to write up the instructions so that we (and you!) could enjoy it during a stay in the cottages.

Kilmartin House, Kilmartin

Did you know the original 'Scots' landed in Mid Argyll when they came across from Ireland?  This award winning museum, archaeological research and interpretative centre will reveal all.  Also has a very nice cafe for good, wholesome food during the day.

Sea.fari Adventures

We haven't managed to go on one of these ourselves yet, but they are thoroughly recommended by many of our guests.  Fast 'RIBs' take you on a cross between a sealife spotting boat trip and a 'wet-n-wild' theme park ride!  01852 300003

Crinan Canal

Worth a visit just to watch the boats come and go, which they do all day every day in the summer.  The towpath from Crinan to Ardrishaig is about 10 miles of easy walking.  Just do Ardrishaig to Lochgilphead or Cairnbaan if you can't face the full stretch!

Scottish Sealife Sanctuary

Just North of Oban on the way to Fort William, the Sealife centre is a good stop on a day out in that direction.  Meet a variety of fish and seals at close quarters and have a bite to eat. 01631 720386

Crinan Ferry

Turn right where signposted just beyond Kilmartin heading South, to find an idyllic spot and the nearest decent stretch of sandy beach.  Understandably popular on hot days, but beautiful whatever the weather.

Cruachan Power Station, Loch Awe

A unique experience as you travel in an electric bus deep inside the mountain of Ben Cruachan to see Scotland's only 'pump storage' power station.  Interesting, educational and out of the rain.

Dining Out
Gardens
Things to do
Shopping
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Shopping

The Kitchen Garden, Oban

A well-stocked shop with a wide range of delicatessenry and other kitchen related items, many of which make good souvenirs and presents.  Also has a nice tearoom with freshly made snacks and home baking (don't have lunch anywhere else if you're in town for a bit of shopping!)

Tesco, Oban

Go to Oban to stock up on supplies - it has big and well-stocked Tesco and Co-op supermarkets.  Lochgilphead has a smaller Co-op which is not as good.

The Square Peg, Lochgilphead

A collection of shops at the seaside end of the main street selling everything from bacon rolls to fountain pens, including all manner of gifts, toys and souvenirs in between.

The Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Cairndow

Becoming well-known through a thriving mail order trade in oysters, smoked salmon, kippers and prawns, this restaurant and 'fishmongers' is well worth stopping at.  Specialities such as 'Bradan Rost' can be had for lunch and then bought in the shop to have again.  Slightly expensive but a treat. 01499 600264