Few days away in Scotland, Loch Fyne, Crinan Canal and Tarbet - first edition , more to come

Off for a few days and head out to Ardrishaig, just past Lochgilphead on Loch Fyne. 
Stopped off at our favourite garden centre next to Lochfyne oyster bar. Always has great plants, shrubs and trees in brilliant condition. After talking to the owner find out that they will deliver for a £1 a mile, so £30 for the delivery to Innellan. She is placing a large order with her suppliers for delivery in February and was happy to organise all our trees and shrubs and look after them until we return in March. So Judith has got her work set out to make up her list, so that we can get it over to her in January. Will also need to get all the holes dug prior to disappearing. Might be worth getting a mini digger in if there are lots to plant. Have to wait and see how many Judith wants.

We had booked two hotels, one through 5pm.com, and the other through itison. The first night is in Ardrishaig at the Grey Gull. 
As we were slightly early, we decided to visit a national trust garden, CRARAE, but we found it all closed up for winter, even though the website showed it being open. That’s the way of the world. 
So we headed up the Crinan Canal and headed off along a single track road through the Knapdale Forest towards a small Chapel at Keillmore. We had been to the forest before as they have the first experimental beaver colony, but this time we headed further through the peninsular. 
The country side, mountain backdrop and still waters of the lochs were amazing. Tranquillity, then all of a sudden a bay opened up. And the hamlet of Tayvallich, or what we expected to be a two home place, was in fact a thriving community. Moored yachts rubbed shoulders with fishing smacks and the Isle of Jura foot passenger ferry. There was the proverbial caravan site with its ancient green boxes overshadowing each other, next to the village pub. But the gem was the loch side cafe situated just at the rear of the local store. We had already had a picnic lunch of hard boiled eggs and quavers on the south side of Loch Fyne whilst looking at the snow covered mountains. But it didn’t stop us having an amazing carrot cake and wonderful coffee. People were still eating their late lunch and the menu was inspiring. The new owner was telling us that she fell on her feet when she purchased the shop and café. An excellent chef had moved to the area to enable his two young children to experience the open spaces instead of the city crunch. He therefore was just in the right place to look after the cooking at the cafe, putting on specialist dinners using the local produce. Smoking his own meats and baking fresh breads.

The restaurant also had an exhibition of embroidery, but not the usual local Valliant efforts, it was true ingenious quality.
So good in fact we managed to secure some.

We managed to get to the point, but it was starting to get dark, so we headed to the hotel, vowing to return. It was definitely a place worth visiting when we have more time. In fact it would be good to stay over and then perhaps catch the ferry to Jura for a couple of days, walk drink some whisky.



Reached the hotel, a massive place, with an empty parking lot. No one was on reception, we pressed bells, walked around the place and eventually a young lady arrived and checked us in and gave us our key.
Well the room was amazing, recently decorated in quite a stylish fashion. But a big BUT. The bed was a king, but the quilt was for a double. The bathroom was smart, although not spotless and badly configured. More bizarrely, there was a single sauna squashed into the end wall where a wardrobe should be. Instead there was a flimsy portable hanging space, similar to those canvas ones sold by Ikea. 
There was tea and coffee making facilities with plenty of supplies, but no glasses for water. 
More importantly there wasn't any heating, other than a small oil fired electric portable heater, stashed in a corner along with an iron and ironing board all on glorious show next to the bedside table.
And the restaurant. It smelt of old fat and the decor made no attempt at providing an enjoyable eating atmosphere. Yet the food was excellent. Great quality of product cooked to perfection and served by a very pleasant barmaid/waitress/receptionist. Only downside was the portion size. They were massive. Just too much food, although if you were a Cumbrian farmer or a Glaswegian Boxer like the new owner, they are most probably just right. The chef had gone to a lot of trouble to make his own sauces, and the cooking of each item was painstakingly precise. A credit to him.

Overall impression of the hotel was one that was being refurbished slowly to a reasonable standard by a person with strong beliefs. Unfortunately with a priority for aspects and products that are not necessarily high on most peoples list of requirements when staying overnight, whilst omitting the basics. Do most people realistically want a sauna or Jacuzzi bath in preference to a warm clean room with bed linen that fits the bed. 
If they chose their market and then aimed the product to match this could be such a lovely hotel in a great position.

You need to be quite thin and nimble to get into the shower, as the door was only 18 inches away from the wall. The triple soap and shampoo holder was empty and they didn't provide any soap

Breakfast was unbelievable, great choice of cooked, but we both went for the full Scottish, as you would. Two sausages, bacon, potato cake, black pudding, haggis, mushrooms, tomato, eggs anyway and baked beans. God, what a feast. Good job we were walking later. Coffee was also good.
Came to pay, but they had lost our drinks tab. So the receptionist asked us what we had had to drink. We could have said two waters. But we didn't. After all the room, dinner and breakfast had only cost us £65.

We then headed out and drove up the Crinan Canal to the harbour and one of our favourite walks.

The worlds second largest whirlpool, Corryvreckan lies between the isles of Jura and Scarba

Castle Dounie a stone roundhouse built over 1500 years ago. Chosen for its commanding position and outstanding views.

Nearly 8000 years ago people from Jura travelled across the water in boats made from skin and wicker. Over the hills towards Kilmartin Glen, there are over 800 monuments built by these individuals who sailed up the waters to fish, farm, settle, trade, convert and conquer. This area has been shaped by the sea people.

After a picnic lunch we headed towards Kilmorny Knap Chapel, another single track road with fantastic views.

Then, out of the blue we spotted seals. But more amazingly an Otter crunching on a fish.
Couldn't believe it.

Must say that the first impressions of Stonefield Castle where very good. The grounds and castle looked stunning, and the receptionist was very efficient and polite. 

She took us up to our room, showing us the lounges, bar and restaurant location as we passed through the atmospheric lounges. Giving us information on what’s was available, and meal times as we progressed through the wonderful old building and up the magnificent staircase. 

The twin room was rather small, but delightfully dressed and exceedingly comfortable. The bathroom was very smart with both walk in shower and a bath, the best of both worlds.

Although there are areas that are showing both lack of maintenance and housekeeping. Stained and damaged wooden furniture, cracked tiles, loose taps, dust and cobwebs. But that’s because the hotel is running on a shoestring and minimal staffing levels.

Its a pity that the hotel is located where it is. Its really out on a limb without any real commerce within miles. Even though the gardens are magnificent, it doesn't have enough to draw people to it.

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