Lochgilphead
Contents |
Lochgilphead Visitor Guide
Kilmartin Glen | Lochgilphead | Crinan Canal | Knapdale
Introduction
The main town in the area, and administrative centre for the entire Argyll and Bute region, is Lochgilphead, a sleepy little place at the head of Loch Gilp, an arm of Loch Fyne. Lochgilphead started life as a planned town, but the industries came and went, leaving it with the customary grid plan of wide streets but little else. Today it serves as a useful base for exploring the area, with a decent range of accommodation, a bank and supermarket.
Phone code: +44 (0)1546
Population: 6,000
Getting there and getting around
There are buses from Lochgilphead to Cairnbaan, Crinan, Achnamara and Tayvallich several times daily Mon-Sat. There are buses and shared taxis to Oban via Kilmartin (Mon-Sat) and a postbus to Inveraray (Mon-Sat). There's also a local service to and from Ardrishaig. For details of shared taxis, or to book a taxi, contact Mid Argyll Taxis, 4 Slockavullin, Kilmartin, Tel. 01546-510318.
Public transport is thin on the ground, but with a little time and patience it is possible to explore the area by bus. Scottish Citylink, Tel. 08705-505050, runs a daily service from Glasgow to Campbeltown which stops in Lochgilphead. The Tourist Information Centre is on Lochnell Street, Tel. 602344, Fax. 606254. You can find out times of buses here, or pick up a free copy of Argyll & Bute Council's Mid-Argyll timetable. Open Apr-Oct.
Ardrishaig
Brenfield Farm is the home of Argyll Trail Riding and Castle Riding Centre. Established over 25 years ago by expert horsewoman, Tove Gray-Stephens, Brenfield is one of the leading trail and riding holiday centres in the United Kingdom Brenfield is well situated for varied and interesting short rides in and around the hills and forests above the village of Ardrishaig on the western shores of Loch Fyne. Reservations Email Address or call 01546 603
South of Lochgilphead, and almost a continuation of the town, is the village of Ardrishaig, where you'll find the Castle Riding Centre, at Brenfield Estate and Farm, Tel. 603274. Here you can enjoy cross-country horse riding, beach gallops, pub rides or hire mountain bikes, sail boards, boats, or even try clay pigeon shooting and archery. There's a nice easy walk from the car park at Kilmory Castle Gardens, about a mile east of town, up to Kilmory Loch. It takes about an hour there and back and is well marked. The gardens also make a pleasant stroll and there are other marked walks, including up to Dun Mór (360 ft).
Sleeping and eating
There are several hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs in and around Lochgilphead. Best of the bunch is Cairnbaan Hotel, Tel. 603668, Fax. 606045, a lovely 18th-century coaching inn overlooking the Crinan Canal in the village of Cairnbaan, just north of Lochgilphead. In the town itself is The Argyll Hotel on Lochnell St, Tel. 602221, Fax. 603576, which has a moderately priced restaurant and lively bar.
Just outside of town, at Bank Park, is a caravan park, where you can pitch a tent. It has the full range of facilities and also hires out mountain bikes, Tel. 602003.
In Ardrishaig is the recently refurbished Grey Gull Inn, Tel. 606017, Fax. 606167, www.greygull.co.uk Breakfast not included but still very good value and serves snacks and meals all day. A cheaper alternative for eating out is The Stables, or the bar of the Stag Hotel, both on Argyll St. If you fancy a picnic, then try the Alba Smokehouse, an excellent deli in Kilmory, just east of town.
Self Catering Cottages in Lochgilphead
- KILMARTIN, nr Lochgilphead - Argyll Sleeps 4
- Feaugh Cottage Sleeps 6
Banks
Bank of Scotland, Poltalloch St.