9The Scotsman Saturday 2 February 2008SHORE THING
Th e
attractive multi-
coloured frontage of
Tobermory, left, is
known all over the
world as the setting
for children8217s TV
show Balamory but
is also a popular
tourist destination;
Loch Fyne is
renowned not just
for its scenic
spendour but for its
delicious seafood,
served up to hungry
tourists at the Loch
Fyne Oyster Bar, now
a famous brandPictures: Phil Wilkinson, left;
Forestry Commission, righteven inspired music when Mendelssohn
penned
Die Fingalshohle
. Themost
important prehistoricsite onthe
Scottish mainland is tucked away in a
beautiful Argyllvalley. KilmartinGlen,
located off the road from Oban to
Lochgilphead, hasa linearcemetery of
aligned cairns, stonecircles and cup-
and-ring marked rocks,believed to be
Pictish symbols. The siteis also home to
the ancientfort ofDunadd wherethe
kings of Scotland were once crowned.
Georgianarchitecture isthe drawto
Inveraray, built on thesite of a ruined
fishing village in 1745by the third Duke
of Argyll.Wander belowthe archesof
Front Street and alongthe banks of Loch
Fyne, thenhead northto Inveraray
Castle. Datingback to the1700s, itis still
the family home of the Duke of Argyll
and has an impressive armoury hall, with
weapons used in the Jacobite uprising.
Warmed by theGulf Stream, Argyll8217s
gardens arewell wortha look.Benmore
BotanicGarden isatthesouthern tipof
Loch Eck, is a beautiful drive through
dramatic steep forested hills reflected in
its still waters. There are hundreds of
rhododendron species and an avenue of
giantredwoodsmore than100feet
high. Plants from all over the world
thriveat ArduaineGardensbetween
Oban and Lochgilphead. Overlooking
AsknishBay andtheSoundof Jura,the
gardens are maintained by the National
Trust forScotland and are openall year
r o u n d.
In Tighnabruaich, you can join begin-
ners atthe sailing school, andfind your
sealegs inthe shelteredbays ofthe
coastline. Thevillage isa favouritewith
the yachtingfraternity andits restau-
rants andbars area popularstopping-
off point.
Fancy a snifter? You8217ve come to the
right place.Argyll iswhere tosample
some ofScotland8217s bestsingle malts,es-
pecially Islay. Malts from the island have
a taste all of their own, thanks to the rich,
peaty ingredients,and thereare noless
than eightdistilleries tovisit, fromthe
famousLaphroaig andBowmoreto
Ardbeg, Port Ellen, Lagavulin, Bunna-
habhain, Bruichladdich (below) and
Caol Ila.If you8217restill standingafter all
that, takea hop acrossto Jura tovisit the
distillery at Craighouse.
In Argyllthere isno shortageof
seafoodon offer.For ameal toremem-
ber, LochFyne Oyster Baris thehome of
Scottishseafoodwith amenuboasting
salmon, scallops, herring, mussels,
langoustine, halibutand everycombi-
nation ofoysters. Spendthe nightat
nearbyLoch FyneHotel Spa(www.cr-
erarhotels.com).Rooms lookoutover
the water and the spa has a sauna, steam
room, Jacuzzi and outdoor hot tub.
Imagine you8217rethe lairdwith anight
at Ardanaiseig Hotel (www.ardanai-
seig.com), a 16-bedroom baronial
house hotel set within some of Argyll8217s
finest countryside, nestling on the
banks of Loch Awe. It8217s perfect for coun-
try pursuits such as stalking, shooting or
fishing, and has hundreds of hill and
lochsidewalksstarting rightonthe
doorstep. Thecountry lifehas never
been so good.TRAVELGet noticed... to advertise in the Scotsman magazineTravel
pages call0131 620 8892email:travel@scotsman.comDip your toe into the Travel
pages
in this Saturday8217s
Scotsman magazineTRAVELBeautifully situated on the west coast of the kintyre
Peninsula, Killean encompasses a dramatic
landscape of beaches, woodland, lochs and gardens
providing a wealth of things to do. Avariety of self-
catering is available, from cosy cottages, a listed
Gate House, a Georgian Villa and the stunning Main
Estate House, all have amazing views over the coast
to the islands and ocean beyond. Whether you are
alone or a party of twenty, you will feel most
welcome but able to spend time in privacy and stay
in this breath taking unspoilt part of Scotland.Killean EstateKintyre, ArgyllTel:01257 266511 Mob:07726146184
www.killeanestate.comA
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