Relax Explore Enjoy Welcome to Kilfinan House. We trust you will have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday, whether you choose to chill out in the house and grounds or explore the Argyll and Cowal area. Along with information about the house we have compiled some information on Kilfinan and the surrounding areas together with nearby attractions which may be of interest. Enjoy your stay! Contents The House A Piece of History Heating and hot water Wood Burning Stoves The Dayroom Leisure Room Spa Bath Water Supply and drainage Bathrooms Technical Details Useful Telephone Numbers Things to Do The Village Local Shops Near at hand Outings Activities Directions Eating Out Departure Day Miscellaneous Get in Touch Call 01381 610496 Kilfinan House Fax 01381 610481 Argyll Email [email protected] Scotland Wweb www.facebook.com/kilfinanhouse PA21 2EP Relax Explore Enjoy The House A Piece of History Kilfinan House was purchased by its current owners in May 2003 when it was extensively refurbished and modernised as our own personal holiday home. The house has had further comprehensive modernisation in spring of 2009, including redecoration, new beds, furnishings and the addition of a new Villeroy & Boch outdoor Spa Bath, and in 2012 we added a table tennis room into one of the outhouses. Originally Kilfinan House was the Manse for the nearby Church, and was, for many years, called “The Old Manse”. Its name was changed in 2003 at the request of the Church of Scotland because it is not considered proper to call a house “The Manse” without it being occupied by a Minister. Parts of the property date as far back as the early 1700’s with the oldest section being the furthest away barn, now a garage - this may originally have been part of the Kilfinan Farm, the remaining building of which is the neighbouring cottage you can see to the right of the rear garden. The central area, including the outhouses, is believed to have been the original Church Manse perhaps predating all the buildings from the early 1700’s. Kilfinan House itself is reputed to date from 1808, although it has seen a number of major alterations since that time. People have chosen to spend their lives in Kilfinan for many centuries, as one can see from the extent of ancient sites in the area. At one time, several hundred years ago, the local residents could be counted in their thousands and the village itself had numerous Inns and “Drinking Establishments” along the main street. Things have changed now but electricity only came to Kilfinan House, along with the rest of the village, in 1950 when the power was switched on for the first time at a Burns supper in the Kilfinan Hotel! The fields to the North side of Kilfinan House and down to the Kilfinan Burn were originally called the “Glebe Lands” (ground attached to the Manse to allow the Minister to grow crops) It is interesting to note that the church in its heyday had up to 8 full time gardeners and Get in Touch Call 01381 610496 Kilfinan House Fax 01381 610481 Argyll Email [email protected] Scotland Wweb www.facebook.com/kilfinanhouse PA21 2EP Relax Explore Enjoy labourers to manage the walled gardens of the “Old Manse” Most of the surrounding countryside is part of Otter Estate. On the hill to the North the broad farmhouse with crow-stepped gables is known as “Lindsaig Farm” with “Jocks Lodge” to the left nearby. On the way out of the village towards Tighnabruaich and on the left, is the Home Farm – a working farm of the estate The Otter Estate House is accessed from the first of the main gates to the right beyond the Church however this access is private. The Hotel at the foot of the drive has been an old Coaching Inn from the 17th Century and Andrew & Helen will be happy to welcome you there, whether for a few drinks or a full evening meal. Heating and hot water Central heating Central heating is by traditional oil fired boiler located in the kitchen. The house The thermostat is located in the ground floor hall at the foot of the stairs. All rooms also have thermostatic radiator valves so you can adjust individual room temperatures if required. Hot water is heated by the boiler and supplied from a storage tank in the first floor bathroom. You may have to wait a period to allow water to heat up at times of peak usage. The wood burning stoves in the Dayroom and first floor Drawing room are independent of any central heating or hot water. Wood Burning Stoves For those not accustomed to using wood burning stoves we have prepared the following users guide. Of particular note: They can get extremely hot. At no time should you burn either stove with the door open. The inner lining of the stoves is surprisingly soft so we would ask some care is taken when adding logs, Get in Touch Call 01381 610496 Kilfinan House Fax 01381 610481 Argyll Email [email protected] Scotland Wweb www.facebook.com/kilfinanhouse PA21 2EP Relax Explore Enjoy they cannot be jammed in. Kitchen Stove to light: set with paper and kindling open all vents ie push top vent to far right pull out both bottom vents below the door light paper and close the door when well lit add logs when warmed vents can be shut according to how hot you want the stove to burn close down vents / stove will burn slowly open vents and fire burns more fiercely if the glass is obscured you may be burning the stove too low and creating smoke deposits. Opening vents and burning more fiercely should clean the glass This stove can give out a considerable amount of heat so it may affect the house thermostat in the hall adjacent – if so try closing the double doors to the hall. Drawing Room Stove all basic principles are the same only difference is the mechanisms for ventilation The ash pans for the stoves should only require emptying every few days. If this is to be done the ash can be added to our Compost bin at the far end of the rear garden. There is a fire guard which suits either stove. This is stored in the Drawing Room. Kitchen stove – always use the handle to open and close. Drawing room stove – always use the separate handle to close / open and adjust. The house is fitted with smoke alarms. One of these is located directly above the kitchen stove. You may find this alarm will go off if the fire is smoky and the stove door is opened. Just keep the room ventilated and the alarm will stop. Our main log supply is located at the end of the outhouses. In addition a supply is kept Get in Touch Call 01381 610496 Kilfinan House Fax 01381 610481 Argyll Email [email protected] Scotland Wweb www.facebook.com/kilfinanhouse PA21 2EP Relax Explore Enjoy drying in the house. Two things we would ask are: Firstly: if you use logs from the supply in the house can you replenish the pile for future users. Secondly: Please be careful when taking wood from the main outside supply and always leave it tidy to ensure there are no mishaps with falling logs. The Kitchen This room will no doubt be the focus of activity during your stay. The big oak table in the dayroom was made by Alan Jenkins, our next-door neighbour. This is easily Alan’s biggest and heaviest commission to date. Alan is skilled in all sorts of woodcraft and would be delighted to discuss any commission, from Jewellery boxes to hand-turned bowls to big tables. The Donations box in the Church is an example of one of Alan’s smaller pieces, if you do not have need of a table for 12! Dishwasher To use the dishwasher set the required programme, press start and close the door. It is very quiet but you will hear it start if you have set it correctly. Oven The oven light & fan will stay on until the oven cools down. Fridge and freezer The freezer has an alarm if the door is not fully closed. There is an additional fridge in the laundry for overspill, and a drinks fridge in the nearest outhouse. Get in Touch Call 01381 610496 Kilfinan House Fax 01381 610481 Argyll Email [email protected] Scotland Wweb www.facebook.com/kilfinanhouse PA21 2EP Relax Explore Enjoy Water Supply and Drainage The water supply for Kilfinan House comes from a private supply from a Bore located in the hills behind the house. It is fully filtered when entering the house. Given that this supply is not infinite we would ask that water is not wasted and taps not allowed to run too long – just in case we are lucky enough to get an exceptionally dry spell. Drainage is by means of a septic tank – hence all kitchen and bathroom detergents etc have to be eco-friendly. We have supplied eco friendly washing up liquid and dishwasher tablets etc to ensure the septic tank functions to its best. During your stay can you ensure that the maximum of eco friendly products are used to avoid disturbing the balance of this system. Please note- only toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet – anything else needs to be disposed of in the bin. Bathrooms All showers are thermostatically controlled. The bath in the main bathroom on the first floor is also fitted with spa jets.