EXPLORE 2020-2021 ARGYLL & THE ISLES Earra-Ghàidheal agus na h-Eileanan visitscotland.com Contents The George Hotel 2 Argyll & The Isles at a glance 4 Scotland’s birthplace 6 Wild forests and exotic gardens 8 Island hopping 10 Outdoor playground 12 Natural larder 14 Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 16 What’s on 18 Travel tips 20 Practical information 24 Places to visit 38 Leisure activities 40 Shopping Welcome to… 42 Food & drink 46 Tours ARGYLL 49 Transport “Classic French Cuisine combined with & THE ISLES 49 Events & festivals Fáilte gu Earra-Gháidheal ’s 50 Accommodation traditional Scottish style” na h-Eileanan 60 Regional map Extensive wine and whisky selection, Are you ready to fall head over heels in love? In Argyll & The Isles, you’ll find gorgeous scenery, irresistible cocktails and ales, quirky bedrooms and history and tranquil islands. This beautiful region is Scotland’s birthplace and you’ll see castles where live music every weekend ancient kings were crowned and monuments that are among the oldest in the UK. You should also be ready to be amazed by our incredibly Cover: Crinan Canal varied natural wonders, from beavers Above image: Loch Fyne and otters to minke whales and sea eagles. Credits: © VisitScotland. Town Hotel of the Year 2018 Once you’ve started exploring our Kenny Lam, Stuart Brunton, fascinating coast and hopping around our dozens of islands you might never Wild About Argyll / Kieran Duncan, want to stop. It’s time to be smitten! Paul Tomkins, John Duncan, Pub of the Year 2019 Richard Whitson, Shane Wasik/ Basking Shark Scotland, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh / Bar Dining Hotel of the Year 2019 Peter Clarke 20ARS Produced and published by APS Group Scotland (APS) in conjunction with VisitScotland (VS) and Highland News & Media (HNM). Main Street, East Inverary, Argyll PA328TT Disclaimer APS / VS / HNM have produced and published this guide in good faith to reflect information submitted by the proprietors/managers of the businesses listed who have paid for and approved their entries to be included. Although APS / VS / HNM have taken reasonable steps to confirm the accuracy of information contained in this guide at the time of going to press, they cannot guarantee that the information published is and remains accurate. Accordingly, APS / VS / HNM recommend that all information is checked with the proprietor/manager of the business prior to visiting/booking to ensure that the accommodation, facilities, price and all other aspects of the business are satisfactory. APS / VS / HNM accept no responsibility for Tel: 01499 302111 any error or misrepresentation contained in the guide and exclude all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in this guide. APS / VS / HNM accept no responsibility for the contents of any pages referenced by an external link and exclude all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in an external link. APS / VS / HNM also cannot accept any liability for loss caused by the bankruptcy, or liquidation, or insolvency, or cessation of trade of any company, firm or individual www.thegeorgehotel.co.uk contained in this guide. Quality Assurance awards are correct as at January 2020. 2 ARGYLL & THE ISLES the windiest, and is ringed with More to beautiful beaches. Explore Oban and Lorn ' Isle of Bute – imagine being Stop for a sensational lunch in Oban Marquess of Bute and – the seafood capital of Scotland being able to call the gothic and a bustling coastal town with masterpiece of Mount Stuart ferry and air connections to island your home! This remarkable destinations, and rail links to building was inspired by Glasgow and the West Highland Line. art, history, mythology and For an unforgettable forest walk, astrology – see if you can spot head to Sutherland’s Grove and the fish fossils on the marble stretch your legs through the forest, staircase. leading up through a fine gorge. ' Colonsay – arrive there in Or head up the hill from the foot of style on a flight from Connel, Beinn Lora for a stunning panorama near Oban, or take a ferry of coast, islands and mountains. from Oban to this small island. ARGYLL & THE ISLES Mid Argyll Stretch your legs climbing the Inveraray, on the shores of Loch Macphies (hills over 300 ft) Fyne, packs a lot of history into or playing golf, then reward AT A GLANCE its few small streets. Step into yourself with a visit to the Earra-Gháidheal agus Na Inveraray Jail & County Court and brewery or a meal of oysters. imagine what it was like in a 19th- ' Staffa, near Mull – enjoy a h-Eileanan aig aon shealladh Tarbert Harbour century prison. Admire the town’s geology lesson courtesy of fine Georgian architecture then the island’s striking basaltic walk along the shore to fabulous, columns and the enchanting Free your spirit in the place where the mighty Highland mountains wash their feet in the western famous whiskies such as Bowmore, neo-gothic Inveraray Castle and its Fingal’s Cave. Then climb up Laphroaig and Ardbeg. ocean... Here in Argyll & The Isles, you can enjoy relaxing strolls on white sandy beaches or take on extensive grounds. to the grassy summit and rugged and dramatic mountains such as Ben More on the Isle of Mull. Mull, Iona, Coll and Tiree Visit the Auchindrain Museum to step watch the puffins diving for The cheerful colours of the back in time and discover Scotland’s their lunch. Cowal Peninsula spotting wildlife. You can also visit of Kintyre. This island has beautiful waterfront buildings in Tobermory rural history at the most complete ' Wander round Lochbuie in Hop on a ferry at Gourock for a trip historic Rothesay Castle and the white beaches and is also home to harbour on Mull always raise a and well preserved example of a the south of Mull to discover to Dunoon, the main town on the gothic mansion Mount Stuart. In Achamore Gardens, which displays smile. Stop for a coffee and a bite to Highland farm township. a Bronze-Age standing stone beautiful Cowal Peninsula. 2016, it was announced that a very bright and exotic flowers. eat and watch the yachts bobbing rare Shakespeare first folio had Kilmartin Glen is home to over circle. Watch out for eagles, While you’re there, head north to peacefully at their moorings. been discovered in the library. Islay, Jura and Colonsay 800 prehistoric and early historic red deer and otters. explore Argyll Forest Park with its You’ll find these glorious Atlantic Take the ferry from the west tip sites and monuments – reach out ' Explore the Clyde Sea Lochs ancient trees and tranquil lochs. Kintyre Peninsula and Gigha islands are easy to reach by vehicle of Mull to the sacred Isle of Iona. and touch the stones and you are Trail, a 65km route linking Stop off at Benmore Botanic If you want to get away from it ferries leaving from Kennacraig Its beautiful restored abbey was stepping back 6,000 years in time. the coastal communities Garden to see the rhododendrons all, there are some wonderfully and Oban, and a passenger service founded in 563 AD by St Columba No wonder it’s mainland Scotland’s that fringe the south western and wander up the spectacular remote spots on the Kintyre between Tayvallich and Jura. and still retains its spiritual most important archaeological edge of Loch Lomond & The avenue of giant redwoods. Peninsula. You can reach this Explore Jura, the mountainous atmosphere. The Isle of Ulva also landscape. Trossachs National Park and delightful corner of the country by lies just off Mull. Rich in history, Isle of Bute island where red deer outnumber Sail, stroll or cycle along the into Argyll. plane, car or a ferry from Ardrossan, Ulva is a fantastic place for walking There’s something special about the human residents 30 to 1! See the winding Crinan Canal between the Isle of Arran or Cowal. and the rare Burnett Moth can be ' Puck’s Glen, Cowal Peninsula, travelling by boat – even when it’s a remote farmhouse where George Crinan and Ardrishaig and you’ll found in abundance. is a magical experience full short trip like the ferry crossing to Kick off your shoes and feel the Orwell wrote his classic novel see why it’s known as one of the of tumbling burns that are the Isle of Bute. Start your sand between your toes on over 1984. Take a boat trip to see the You’ll find Coll has a character of UK’s prettiest shortcuts. criss-crossed by bridges adventure at Colintraive on the 40 miles of stunning beaches, as impressive Corryvreckan Whirlpool, its own. Here you can stroll along and enclosed by rocky walls Helensburgh Cowal Peninsula or from Wemyss you gaze out over crystal-clear the third largest in the world. unspoiled deserted beaches and heavily hung with mosses water to island views. A beautiful building in a beautiful Bay, west of Glasgow. Islay is whisky heaven – there are take to the rugged moors to go bird- and overshadowed by trees. location – Hill House, Helensburgh Discover a very different lifestyle nine distilleries on the island. spotting. Surfers and windsurfers The steep and narrow gorge is The Isle of Bute is a natural was designed by one of Scotland’s on the small community-owned The peat from Islay’s landscape flock to the neighbouring isle of interwoven with waterfalls and sanctuary where you can enjoy best loved architects, Charles island of Gigha off the west coast gives a unique flavour to world- Tiree – it’s the most westerly island shallow rock pools spanned by walking, cycling, fishing and Rennie Mackintosh, and has of the Inner Hebrides and one of arched wooden bridges.