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Ardtornish Four Star Self Catering

SITUATED in the heart of the village, and on the waterfront with stunning views over the Bay, Caol Scotnish, and the head of Loch Sween, Ardtornish (the house on the hill) offers various choices for self catering accommodation in Tayvallich, Argyll.

THE HOUSE sleeps ten people in five bedrooms, with a further two on a sofa bed - ample accommodation for a large family gathering, or for friends to get together.

However, Ardtornish can also be split into two independent units - the main body of the house having accommodation for eight in four bedrooms, and a smaller flat that sleeps two in one bedroom, with two on a sofa bed in the living area.

As its name suggests, this house also benefits from an elevated position which really does give it the best view of all the houses around the bay. You look out over the bay, the outer bay and across the head of Loch Sween to the Achnamara shore beyond.

The accommodation receives large doses of sunlight due to large floor to ceiling windows at the front. The interior is well laid out and furnished to a very high standard with a modern feel (although still retaining the wood-burning stove to keep out the winter chill).

Ardtornish is a modern house with a high standard of furnishing and comfort. In an elevated position, the house has an entrance vestibule for jackets, boots, etc leading into an airy hall (there is also a small toilet off the hall). Split level, the hall leads in three directions - on the same level are the kitchen, laundry room and large bathroom. Downstairs is a double bedroom, kitchenette, and small living/dining area. Upstairs takes you to a light and airy spacious lounge in a mezzanine level with fantastic views through floor to ceiling windows. Carry on upstairs to the four main bedrooms one king-size double room with en-suite shower & toilet, on double, and two twins) and a further bathroom.

Prices range from £600 - £1,200.

WALKING
There are many walks (& cycle rides) on the Peninsula and beyond. You can walk from the village to Crinan (about 6 miles), and enjoy fantastic views over the Sound of Jura on the way. Farther along, there are many Forestry walks, and several abandoned villages to explore. The forestry also operate some cycling routes nearby, at Ardnoe, Faery Isles, Lochan Buic, Kilmory to Carrick, Loch Glashan, Kilmichael Glen.

WILDLIFE
The Tayvallich Peninsula is also rich with wildlife throughout the year. The Taynish National Nature Reserve provides the visitor with ample opportunity to explore, and features willow and wood warblers in the Springtime. The Reserve offers several walks, and if you follow the one through the wood down to the shore, you will see sponges and anemones below the tidal rapids. At the shore, you can also spot otters - look early or late in the day.

FOOD AND DRINK
The Tayvallich Inn and Tayvallich Coffee Shop provide a variety of options for eating out in Tayvallich. The Inn has a slight seafood bent, but also with plenty to offer the meat eater and the vegetarian. The coffee shop serves delicious home baking, and full breakfasts as well as snack lunches, toasties, and take-away filled rolls. Both have fantastic views over Tayvallich Bay.

CRINAN
Nearby Crinan is a special place. The Crinan Canal was built over 200 years ago, and the village was made up originally of only Canal buildings and Lock Keepers houses. Although the Lock Keepers no longer live there, the houses still stand, and the village has grown since the 1800s. However, the Canal basin and surrounds remain virtually unchanged. Crinan is a 'must see', and the terrace of the hotel bar is a good place from where to watch the canal activities! The Hotel itself is renowned for good, fresh, produce, and has a seafood restaurant which is supplied by boats that land their catch in the Sea Lock. It also operates a Coffee Shop at the canal basin, with fresh baking from the hotel kitchen daily.

KILMARTIN GLEN
The Glen is about 20 minutes away by car, and a great day trip destination. There are several sites of standing stones, stone circles, cup and ring marks, and burial cairns to explore. You can also visit Dunadd - the fort where the ancient Kings of Scotland were crowned - and enjoy the views from the fort over the Glen. Carnasserie Castle is also worth a look. What is known about al of these places is displayed at the award-winning Kilmartin Glen Museum - in the village of Kilmartin itself. The museum also operates a restaurant where you can stop for a freshly prepared lunch, or snack.

LOCHGILPHEAD
is the nearest town, and is a twenty-minute car trip from Tayvallich. It has a large Co-op supermarket, butchers, grocers, banks, petrol stations, pubs, a swimming pool, a 9-hole golf course (open to visitors), Tourist Information Office (summer only), and all the other amenities you would expect from a moderate-sized town.

GARDENS
Argyll also has more than its fair share of exotic plants, thanks to the endeavours of Victorian (and more recent) plant hunters. Exotics thrive in the damp, acid soil of our region.

Other towns to visit while in Mid Argyll include Inverary & Oban.