8HOLIDAY 2008A rg yl lHarbouring a love
of Argyll8217s charm8216Porpois es,
dolphins,
seals, minke
whales and
b asking
sharks can be
seen off the
Argyll coast8217Angela Dewar
takes a trip around one of the most
scenic and varied corners of Scotland8217s west coastIT MIGHT be just over 150 miles from
north tosouth, butthe curving
coastlineand myriadislandsmake
Argyll a wonderfulpart of Scotland
to explore. Drive by steep, forested hills
or mess about in boats around the fjord-
like Lochs Long and Fyne and you can8217t
escape the similarities between this cor-
ner of Scotland and Scandinavia.
Then, fordeserted sandybeaches
with amazingviews tothe Hebrides,
thereis nowherelike Kintyre.Atlantic
breakers pound theshoreline to the
westand, tothesouth,the MullofKin-
tyre hassome of the mostscenic spots
on the peninsula.For day-tripping, sail
across to the island of Gigha for a visit to
Achamore Gardens, established by Sir
James Horlick 8211 ofbedtime drink fame 8211
in the post-war years.
Meanwhile, the picturesque fishing
portof Tobermoryon theisland ofMull
ismorefamousthese daysasthesetting
of children8217sTV show
Balamor y
, butyou
don8217t haveto be underthe age often to
appreciate the the harbour front with its
parade of multi-coloured houses.
The bestwalking inArgyll isaround
the ArrocharAlps inArgyll ForestPark.
Ben Ime, the tallest peak at 3318 feet, has
views toLoch Lomondin onedirection
and the Holy Loch in the other. But the
mostdistinctive mountainisBen
Arthur, or The Cobbler, at 2891 feet,
namedafterthe anvil-likerockforma-
tion at its summit. Further afield, the
whale-shaped islandof Jurais wildand
mountainous with round-top hills
covered in a dusting of quartzite scree.
Itseems almostblasphemous tovisit
Argylland nottake tothesea. Booka
boat trip with a difference on the Crinan
Canal, which links Loch Fyne to the
Sound of Jura. It runsparallel to the sea
and meanders throughlocks regularly
used byyachts andpleasure boats.Por-
poises,dolphins, seals,minkewhales
and baskingsharks areall regularly
spotted off the Argyllcoast. To get a
closer look, take a boat trip from Mull or
Balvicar, near Oban.
Oneof themost romanticand
dramatic of Argyll8217s islands has to be
Staffa. Trips from Oban, Iona or Mull go
to Fingal8217s Cave, one of the cathedral-
likecaverns withinthe blackbasalt
rockface. The cave has been painted by
Turner, explored by Wordsworth andTo advertise here,
please call 0131 620 8892email:travel@scotsman.comTo advertise in these
Travel pages, callthe Scotsmanmagazineon:0131 620 8892email:travel@scotsman.comNEW LUXURY LOCHSIDE
CHALETS ON LOCH AWESleeps up to 6,fish,walk,or just relax,digital TV,
1 pet welcome.
Oban 45mins,Inveraray 20mins.Pub 5mins.www.argyllchalets.co.uk01866 833240LOCH AWE
ARGYLLComfortable timber
cabin in a peaceful
setting close to the
lochside.Walking,
boating,fishing,or
just relaxing amidst
beautiful scenery.
Well equipped.
Sleeps 5.Holidays or
short breaks
throughout the year.
Pets welcome
Brochure:
Tel:0116 247 8311former childhood home of Kenneth
Graham,author of Wind In The
Willows provides an ideal base from
which to explore the surrounding
area,or simply to relax and enjoy fine
food and warm hospitality.B&B from 16345pp per night or Dinner Bed & Breakfast for 16365pp per nightTerms apply, subject to availabilityOffers avail until 31st March,excluding Easter weekendCall Hamish & Charlotte
Tel 01546 603245
www.allt-na-craig.co.ukWe can't promise you this sunset, but we can promise you a warm welcome, good
hospitality, fine food and drink.
Prices from 16340 per person bed & Breakfast.
A La carte menu with daily specials served 12 till 2.30 & 6 till 8.30BALINAKILL COUNTRY,
HOUSE KINTYRE973397339733 Scottish Hotel of
the Year 2006
GREEN AWARD
for Environmental
Ethical ActionAngus and Susan look forward to welcoming
friends old and new to Balinakill in 2008.
We are celebrating our ninth year here with a
Special Dinner Bed and Breakfast Offer from
16350ppn in a standard en-suite double or twin room.The Kintyre Way...Mull it over.w
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6Two nights min stay.Cruinn
Cottages
ARGYLLLoch Sween, 2 well appointed
cottages. Each sleeps 4. CH.
Walking, wildlife, birds.
Super situation.
Short Brks Also Avail01546 850239www.cruinn-cottages.co.ukBAY HOUSE
HOTELDUNOONSTB 3 *Small friendly hotel with seaviews.
Walking distance to town.
2nts. B&B fr. 16330.00
4nts. B&B fr. 16326.00
7nts. B&B fr. 16324.00
prices are per person per night.
No SmokingTel: 01369 704832www.bayhousehotel.co.ukARGYLLDetached riverside cottage
for 2. No pets.From 163200 per week.
T 01977 792635www.northlodgecottage.co.uk
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