|
Why visit Argyll, Cowal and Bute?
Why not head North to Oban and Fort William?
90% of Scotland's most appreciated tourist do just that...year after year. Yet Argyll, Cowal and Bute offer you the most populated area of lochs and walkways, spectacular scenery, botanic gardens, castles and wildlife in Scotland. And because it is off the beaten tourist track, a very peaceful and relaxing place in which to
stay. Loch Fyne abounds in wildlife. Seagulls, Cormorants, Gannets, Eider Ducks and Swans and Seals are frequent passers-by.
The Benmore botanic gardens and it's Giant redwoods (within 20 minutes drive)
Discover the true beauty of scotland
The Cowal peninsula and Argyll Forest Park, some 54,000 acres, offer you a wide range of sporting activities including golf, fishing, various pleasure cruises, mountain-biking, cycling, organised horse riding and of course sailing and other water-based sports. Magnificent Loch Eck scythes through the centre of the Cowal Peninsula, surrounded by high, forested hills. The loch epitomises Cowal - rugged and spectacular but at the same time peaceful, where you can while away the hours fishing, walking or just taking in the scenery. Captivating Bute, once the island retreat of Scottish kings, lies at the heart of the Firth of Clyde, and is the favourite destination of the famous 'Waverley', the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world.
'The very best of Scotland in miniature and packed into an area of only 35 x 25 miles and all within 60 minutes of Creagh Dubh, Strachur.'
"If you want to see all the best highlights and delights of scotland....
stay in Cowal for a week or two"
The Coylet Inn by Loch Eck and lovely Autumn views of Loch Eck
 |
Availability & Further Information Advice / Help
Lines open 08:30 to 22:30 GMT
7 days a week
|
|
PLEASE CALL US
01729 851181 |
| Mobile |
Phone / Texting : 07885 211787 |
Email enquiries to:
|
Due to ever increasing Spam levels we cannot guarrantee to respond to emails. Please call us on either phone number above to be certain. If you do wish to email us please state in your email exactly which cottage and dates your require further information.
|
|
Travel Options
"It sounds wonderful, but it's a long way to drive from the south of England" How can I avoid the long journey?
Click here to find out how!
|
Scottish
Weather?
Click
Here...
you might well be surprised!
Would you like to see other cottages in this area?
Activities & places to visit
The Spectacular Kyles of Bute
The spectacular Kyles of Bute as seen on television, can be easily reached in less than 1 hour from Creagh Dubh and well worth the journey as you pass through some delightfull little villages, Lochs, forest and Glens on the way there.
The spectacular Kyles of Bute (looking south towards Bute and the Firth of Clyde)
The magical Isle of Bute
Combine these most spectacular views...with a trip to the captiviating Isle of Bute a beautiful little island about 15 miles long and nearly 5 miles wide and within a hours drive of whistlefield Lodges, always a favourite day trip with much to offer with hills in the North and plenty of sandy beaches, ruined chapels and castles, yachting, fishing, golf, etc. Bute's many gardens benefit from the Gulf Stream which gives the island a mild climate enabling palm trees and other exotic plants to grow here. One of the main visitor attractions is the spectacular Mount Stuart house and gardens. Canada hill offers the best views from this island.
Bute Castle (left) and "Mount Stuart" and it's gardens (centre) and the short ferry crossing to the Isle of Bute (right)
Inverary....the castle, the old Jail, the Puffer and museum
Well worth a visit during your stay at Creagh Dubh and less than 30 minutes drive is the lovely town of Inveraray (Inbhir Aora in Gaelic) a former royal burgh in Argyll and Bute, located on the western shore of Loch Fyne near its head. One time traditional county town of Argyll and ancestral home to the Duke of Argyll, who founded the town in 1745, alongside his new home, Inveraray Castle. Its distinctive white buildings on the loch shore make it very photogenic and it is a very popular tourist destination, with a number of attractions in addition to the castle. The Georgian Inveraray Jail in the burgh is now a museum. Other attractions include the Argyll Folk Museum at Auchindrain. The Celtic Inveraray Cross can also been seen in the town. The Arctic Penguin ship Maritime Museum is moored at the pier, along with the Clyde puffer VIC 72, renamed Eilean Eisdeal.
Panorama of Inverary (left) the high street, the harbour, the castle and estate (right)
Oban "The Gateway to the Isles"
Just over 60 minutes drive away from Creagh Dubh lie the busy fishing town of Oban "The Gateway to the Isles" with supermarkets, high street stores, Shops, restaurants and Pubs. Oban is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William and occupies a beautiful setting in the Firth of Lorn. Oban Bay is a near perfect horseshoe bay, protected by the island of Kerrera, and beyond Kerrera is Mull. To the north is the long low island of Lismore, and the mountains of Morvern and Ardgour. Oban has a large Gaelic speaking population. All road and street signs are translated into the Scottish language. Attractions in Oban include the Waterfront Centre, the Cathedral of St Columba, the Oban Distillery, Dunollie Castle, Dunstaffnage Castle and McCaig's Tower, which dominates the town's skyline.
From here you can easily extend your day trip by taking the Calmac ferry to visit the Isle of Mull, Tobermory (The fictitional Balamory) and the sacred Isle of Iona.
Tobermory "the fictional Balamory"
Seil, Luing and Easdale Island
Approx 60 minutes drive from Ceagh Dubh lie the delightfull inner hebridean chain of 3 small Islands. Accessed via the unique and only bridge over the "Atlantic" Seil Island leads to the historic Easdale slating Island via foot ferry to the West from Ellanbeich. To the south lies the delightfull island of Luing accessed via car ferry.
Easdale made famous by it's many picture postcard appearances has a population of around 150 people and the centre of population including a village shop and Pub is based around the beautifull harbour inlet.
Luings major areas of population lie around Tobernochry and Cullipool and is accessed by a short car ferry crossing from the south of Seil Island
The bridge over the Atlantic (left) leads to Seil, Luing (centre) and Easdale (right)
The endangered Red Squirrel
Around Pucks Glen and the Cowal peninsula, you will see many of the endangered Red squirrels they have a typical head to body length of 19 to 23 a tail length of 15 to 20 cm and a mass of 250 to 340. The red squirrel is slightly smaller than the common eastern grey squirrel, unfortunately the grey squirrel is the main reason for the red squirrels decline and you will see particularly in this area of Cowal, the many measures taken to try to preserve this endangered species such as their own rope bridges and tunnels across the busier roads!!
Dunoon and the Cowalfest
The highly popular October walking festival know as the Cowalfest is now firmly established as a highlight of the year in the Cowal calender, with all the walks graded and numbered. There are also cultural and social events to accompany this event, which usually last about 10 days around the middle of the month - A 'must' for walkers! and based around the popular capital town Dunoon, which offers all services, including 2 x supermarkets, high street shops include giftware, electrical, grocery, health, woolworths. One local hospital (Dunoon general), doctor, vet. Numerous leisure facilities include crown green bowling, tennis courts, swimming baths, quad biking, golf and crazy golf. There are 2 ferry regular ferry crossings to Gourock and the Waverley Puffer calls in the summer
Panoramas of Dunoon, the high street and square
Mountain bikes and Walking Holidays
Along with numerous local walks, more serious walkers can sample a part / all of the Cowal way. The Cowal Way is a long distance footpath split into 6 sections, running the length of the Cowal Peninsula. It starts at Portavadie, beside Loch Fyne, and finishes in at Ardgartan, by Loch Long. It is 47 miles (75 km) long, climbing 5050 ft (1540 m) on the way. The route follows existing rights of way and public roads, most of which are extremely quiet, or cross Forestry Commission land, which includes a good deal of open hill. Access is not an issue. Fot the mountain bikers there is also the more local to where you are staying Glen Kin way an easy 6 mile / 10 Km circuit of a small glen in Cowal, Argyll that suits beginners and provides more experienced riders with optional challenges
For more information on guided walks, please contact Nikki Dayton Tel 01369 860324 or For further information please click here. You can hire bikes daily / Weekly from either Quadmania Ltd 01369 810246 Or ProAdventure Scotland 01369 707456
The highly acclaimed Loch Fyne Oster Restaurant and it's fantastic seafood shop
Bus services to Dunoon, Inverary and Toward from Strachur
If you are coming on holiday to actually take a break from driving, there is a fairly regular bus service run by West Coast Motors www.westcoastmotors.co.uk who run the 476 and 486 services between Toward, Innellan, Dunoon, Kilmun, Pucks Glen / Benmore Gardens, Whistlefield, Strachur, Loch Fyne Oysters and Inverary.
There are 5 return trips in each direction mondays to satudays and 3 return trips on sundays from Easter to the end of October. They also operate services from Dunoon to the Isle of Bute plus a number of other destinations in Cowal.
Toward lighthouse (left and middle) and the array of wildlife living around this point 10 miles south of Dunoon
An evening in or out
Within
a 5 minute walk from Creagh Dubh you will reach the Famous
Creggans Inn Hotel, Strachur www.creggans-inn.co.uk providing
quality fine wines, whiskies and excellent cuisine and
views across the Loch to Inveraray on Loch Fyne. This
Argyll Hotel offers Award-winning food, an enthusiast's wine
list and stylishly refurbished rooms.Also
with in a 10 minute car drive The 'TV famous' Whistlefield Inn
www.whistlefield.co.uk, a 14th
Century inn with an open fire and inviting atmosphere. a
fantastic selection of Malt Whisky and beers and a restaurant
with great food and panoramic views over Loch Eck. The Inn is full of intrigue and history and you may well hear of
ancient tales of smugglers, tunnels, ghosts and even an ancient
massacre during your visit to the Inn. The Inn gained its
well-deserved recognition on the TV series 'The House
detectives'.
Your Accommodation
Creagh Dubh is accessed from the village of Strachur by single track road off the main A815 Dunoon road. This spacious Luxury Bungalow benefits from full Double Glazing and Gas Central heating and is further complimentedwith a lovely open fire, its thick stone walls keeping the cold winters and oppresive summer heat waves away.
The Lounge the formal lounge has double
aspect windows (the main picture window affords outstanding views of
Loch Fyne and beyond.
A particular feature is the
Open fire in the lounge. There is both a large front garden and rear
garden with a wooden shed. A public access boat slip is nearby. Here you can relax and settle into a good book in front of the crackling open fire comfortably furnished with lounge sofas, the room is warm and well lit and equipped with radio / stereo / TV / DVD.
The Dining Room is open plan dining area recently re-fitted
The fully equipped kitchen is complete with comprehensive range of wall and base units,
integrated ceramic electric hob, double oven
and glass hood, Fridge / Freezer, Washing Machine. Other essentials such as glasses, crockery, cutlery, corkscrew and a hair dryer are also provided for your convenience.
There are Three bedrooms all with in-built wardrobes.
The Master Double Bedroom has french doors opening on to a balcony overlooking
the Loch.
There is a further Twin Bedroom and Double Bedroom with a full size Sofa Bed settee
All the bedrooms have ample hanging and drawer space.
The Showeroom The family shower room comes complete with glass & chrome
sink unit, double sized glass shower cubicle with thermostatic shower,
W/C, tiled floor and contemporary wall tiling.
The
total package...'no hidden extras'
Heating, Electricity,
Towels and Bedding are included in the cost of Hire
Boat hire on Loch Fyne and fishing permits
Loch Fyne is renowned - for it’s exellent sea fishing and you can catch cod, pollack, coalfish, conger, plaice, turbot, mackerel and ling. Boats can be hired through the Inverary Tourist board . Fishing permits for Loch Fyne can be obtained from the the Creggans Inn Tel 01369 860279 at just £10 per day (maximum catch 2 fish). Fishing Equipment and fishing advice, permits can also be hired from the tackle shop in Dunoon. I.C. Purdie 112 Argyll Street, Dunoon. Tel. 01369 703232.
Boat hire on Loch Eck and fishing permits
Motor boats are available from (£12 per hour / £40 per day / £25 half day) Rowing boats are available
from £5 per hour / £15 per day / £10 half day Tel 01369 840576.
Fishing permits are available from May at £5 per day / £20 per 7 days at the Coylet Inn
Tel 01369 840426
Fishing Tackle hire in Dunoon
For the novice and if you are not bringing your own fishing tackle you can visit or call the tackle shop in Dunoon. I.C. Purdie 112 Argyll Street, Dunoon. Tel. 01369 703232 for fishing advice and permits for all the local Lochs and Rivers.
Satisfied
Customers
|
"We
found Creagh Dubh very relaxing and the evening views of Loch Fyne wonderfull, thankyou for the extra effort with the early changeover and the special touches, we will be back thank
you..."
|
The
View from Creabh Dubh...and the evening sun over Loch Fyne
Availability
Scale of (7 day) weekly hire charges
Hire charges include "All Heating, Electricity and Bedding"
|
Medium Season
£425 |
High Season
£575 |
Christmas New Year P/O/A
|
"Pet Friendly"
By prior arrangement only this cottage can accept clean well behaved Pets. Please ask for details
It is recommended that you take out travel insurance which includes cancellation cover |
|
Please complete
this short questionnaire
For further information of any kind / special requirements and to reserve directly with the owners by Credit / Debit card, Cheque, Postal order or other. Please complete the short form and press the submit button below and we will contact you by return.
In the event of this Holiday home not being available for the dates you require, we will email you details of all other available holiday homes in this region suiting your requirements
Would
you like to see other cottages in this area?
|
Availability & Further Information Advice / Help
Lines open 08:30 to 22:30 GMT
7 days a week
|
|
PLEASE CALL US
01729 851181 |
| Mobile |
Phone / Texting 07885 211787 |
Email enquiries to:
|
Due to ever increasing Spam levels we cannot guarrantee to respond to emails. Please call us on either phone number above to be certain. If you do wish to email us please state in your email exactly which cottage and dates your require further information.
|
|
Travel Options
"It sounds wonderful, but it's a long way to drive from the south of England" How can I avoid the long journey?
Click here to find out how!
|
|
