OUT AND ABOUT
HEADING SOUTH OF TIGH BHAN
The drive down to Oban is very scenic, along the way you will pass the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary, Connel Bridge which sits astride loch Etive and the falls of Lora, then further along the road we have Dunstaffnage Castle built by the MacDougall’s in the 1200s.
Moving on into Oban, the gateway to the Western Isles with its busy ferry terminal, a fine distillery and a wonderful view point from McCaig’s Tower looking over to Kerrera and the Isle of Mull. Further south is Kilmartin Glen with 350 ancient monuments some dating back 5000years, this is just north of the town of Lochgilphead. For the horticulturalist among you don’t miss out on Arduaine Garden, a National trust for Scotland Garden, moving on down to Crinan and the Crinan canal one of Scotland unexpected delights, here you can wander along the paths, and shoreline, simply enjoying this stunning location.
HEADING EAST
Ardchattan Priory dates back to 1230 and the last Scottish parliament was held here in 1308, over Loch Etive the village of Taynuilt, and a short distance east is Cruchan Power Station “the hollow mountain” the power station is inside the mountain, also at Inverawe is the Inverawe Fisheries, Smokery and country park for you to wander round and explore, try fly fishing or sample the food in the restaurant.
One of the finest castles to visit in the area is Inveraray castle the home of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, while there also pop in to the Inveraray Jail, the old jail dates back to 1820.Here on the shore of Loch Fyne is the home of the Artic Penguin a three masted Schooner built in 1911 now a maritime heritage centre. Along the road following the shoreline of Loch Fyne you can sample some of the best seafood in the area at Loch Fyne Oysters restaurant and then enjoy a walk at Ardkinglas woodland garden at Cairndow. Hill walkers will enjoy the Arrochar Alps several peaky mountains some of which reach Munro status.
When travelling in Scotland sooner rather than later you will pass through Crianlarich as it lies at the junction of two of the main routes from the lowlands to the North West highlands and is also the point the coast to coast walk meets the other long distance walk, the West Highland Way. The next crossroads we come to is Tyndrum here the road splits over to the West and Oban or north to Glencoe and on to Fort William. Moving on to Bridge of Orchy popular with hill walkers, we head to Rannoch Moor with the majestic mountains of Glencoe appearing in the distance bleak and wild, it has a beauty of its own, passed the ski centre, a turning left takes you down towards Glen Etive not to be missed.
HEADING NORTH
The road north from Tigh Bhan will take you to the Outdoor Capital of the UK, Fort William nestling under the back drop of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain a magnet for hill walkers, climbers what ever you level of fitness or ability there is something here for you.
A point of interest is Neptune’s Stair Case a flight of eight locks on the Caledonian Canal.
If you want a less strenuous trip up a mountain then try the gondola just outside Fort William at the Nevis Range Ski Centre, open all year round the gondola will take you half way up Aonach Mor, also a centre for mountain bikes tracks and trails. Continuing north the road splits at Invergarry you can either take the road past the Five Sisters and Eilean Donan castle and over to Skye or take the road to Fort Augustus, Lochness and on to Inverness.
Not only can you drive out of Fort William on the road to the Isles and Mallaig but you can also let the train take the strain on the Jacobite Steam Railway, the journey takes you over the Glenfinnan Viaduct which appears in the Harry Potter movie, the visitor centre at Glenfinnan is worth a visit, with the monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie at the head of Loch Shiel, a spectacular view point both to picture the viaduct and the view down Loch Shiel.
Heading to Mallaig we first come to Arisaig a quaint fishing port , continuing along the coastal road you will find plenty of secluded beaches with silver sand and view the small Isles of Eigg and Rum with Skye to the north, there is a ferry terminal at Mallaig which has a regular service over to Skye.
HEADING WEST
To explore further west from Tigh Bhan you can either go down to Oban and catch the ferry over to one of the western Isles or take the short crossing on the Corran Ferry over to Ardgour, then you have a choice of travelling down to Lochaline and boarding the ferry over to the Isle of Mull or head to the Ardnamurchan peninsula the most westerly point on main land Britain, a haven for wild life and a wilderness of its own, places to visit include the Light House at Ardnamurchan point or Mingary Castle built in the 1200s and finishing up on the stunning sandy beaches and dunes of Sanna.
This is just a sample of what there is to see and do on you day trips from Tigh Bhan, there is much more for you to explore, activities to partake in and pastimes to pursue.
