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Cowal Self Catering Ardachearnbeg Country Cottages, Glendaruel, Cowal, PA22 3AE
A choice of two lovely countryside cottages in the heart of the Cowal countryside surrounded by beautiful hills, the cottages are the original outbuildings of a traditional 18th century farm, renovated to the highest standard using, where possible, original features and items offers a fantastic touring base for all of Cowal and Argyll, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, Kintyre, Argyll Forest Park, Oban, Glencoe and the South West Islands (like Gigha, Mull and Iona)
There is a wide variety of cycling or walking in this area. The cottages are located on one of the loop walks off the Cowal Way and can provide transport for drop-off or pick-up for walking stretches of the Way. In this locality there is also a Inn / Pub the local Glendaruel Hotel serving good food and drink. This is a rural glen and the surrounding fields may contain cattle and sheep, sometimes with young and there are midge control machines in operation to assist in your comfort.
Discover the true beauty and history of Scotland
If you enjoy beautiful countryside, red squirrels, eagles, wild birds and deer and you love the tranquility - without the long trek to the far North West of Scotland....Ardachearnbeg Cottages, Glendaruel are perfect for your needs. Set in deep countryside on the route of the famous Cowal way and close to Tighnabruaich where you can take a boat trip up or down the Kyles, or access one of the shortest sea ferry crossings in the world to the Island of Bute. Close by is The Glendaruel Hotel located at the Clachan of Glendaruel a Traditional Hotel with a Lovely a contemporary feel and a Lively Bar and a Popular Restaurant.
"If you want to see all the best highlights and delights of scotland.... ....stay in Cowal for a week or two" The spectacular Kyles of Bute (looking south towards Bute and the Firth of Clyde)
The Spectacular Kyles of Bute The spectacular Kyles of Bute as seen on television (Scottish Gaelic: Na Caoil Bhòdach) are a narrow sea channel separating the northern end of the Isle of Bute from the Cowal peninsula, part of the Scottish mainland. The narrowest strait is only some 300m across and is spanned by the Calmac ferry from Rhubodach to Colintraive. The Kyles are split into the east and west kyles. The east kyle (An Caol an Ear) runs from Rothesay Bay north west up to the entrance to Loch Riddon. Here at the northern end of the east kyle are the Burnt Islands and the island of Eilean Dubh. The west kyle (An Caol an Iar/An Caol Ceathrach) runs from here south west, past the village of Tighnabruaich out to the Sound of Bute. The Kyles are designated as a National Scenic Area.
The Kyles are reflected in the name of Tighnabruaich based shinty team "Kyles Athletic"
Bute Castle (left) and "Mount Stuart" and it's gardens (centre) and the short ferry crossing to the Isle of Bute (right)
The magical Isle of Bute Combine these spectacular views of the Isle of Bute...with a trip to the captiviating Isle of Bute a beautiful little island about 15 miles long and nearly 5 miles wide and within 20 minutes of Glendaruel, 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.
Activities on your doorstep or less than one hour's travel
The Benmore botanic gardens Within a most scenic 20 minutes drive lie The world famous Benmore Gardens, a specialist garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, is a magnificent woodland garden set amidst the mountains of the Cowal Peninsula. Its 140 acres are renowned for the wide collection of trees and shrubs, which includes over 250 species of rhododendrons. One of the most spectacular views is the avenue of Giant Redwood trees (pictured below) which greets every visitor on entering the garden. Throughout there are waymarked walks, which lead to a beautiful pond and formal garden which display a wide variety of Himalayan and Oriental plants. Continue up the richly planted hill slopes, which rise to 450 feet to a dramatic viewpoint overlooking the Eachaig valley and the Holy Loch. Refreshments are available. The Botanics Shop sells a range of books, gifts and plants some of which can be found in the garden. Facilities are also provided for those less able, including wheelchairs.
The Pucks Glen forest and waterfall walks While visiting the Benmore gardens it is well worth visiting Pucks Glen and a choice of 3 mouth watering woodland trails all Pet Friendly and sign posted and marked out. Offering a sometimes tropical rainforest feel with magnificent views from the summits. The waterfalls walk (below) features a meandering tour up the valley involving a series bridges crossing streams, cascading waterfalls and pools, particularly delightfull after a strong downpour of rain!
"The wonderfull "Pucks Glen" woodland trails within an easy 30 minute drive
The endangered Red Squirrel Around 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!!
Inverary....the castle, the old Jail, the Puffer and museum Well worth a visit during your stay and less than 50 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) and the high street (right)
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 For walkers and mountain bikers...you may choose to sample a part 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. 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 Locality
The valley of Glendaruel is thought to be one of the valleys praised in The Lament of Deirdre, a Gaelic poem dating back to at least 1238, in which reference is made to a "Glenndaruadh". Deirdre is a tragic heroine in Irish mythology, and in the poem she is lamenting the necessity of leaving Scotland to return to Ireland. The main village in Glendaruel is the Clachan of Glendaruel. The Scottish mathematician Colin Maclaurin was born here in 1698 to the Reverend John Maclaurin, who was minister to the parish of Kilmodan. The present Kilmodan Church was built in the Clachan of Glendaruel in 1610. The Clachan of Glendaruel is the current location of Kilmodan Primary School, and the ground of Col-Glen Shinty Club. Dunans Castle is also to be found in Glendaruel, while Glendaruel Wood and Crags and the Ruel Estuary are both included in the List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Mid Argyll and Cowal. Glendaruel is the inspiration for a number of bagpipe tunes, including The Glendaruel Highlanders, and The Sweet Maid of Glendaruel.
A short drive away lies Tighnabruaich by the Shores of the Kyles of Bute in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Tighnabruaich is popular for sailing and yachting and has its own sailing school but shinty is the major sport with the village being home to Kyles Athletic who have won more Camanachd Cups than any other team apart from Newtonmore and Kingussie. There are a number of cycle routes posted for the area as well as signed walking routes. Accommodation can be found at various hotels and guest houses. Tighnabruaich has a Spar shop for your groceries and wines etc, a gift shop, art gallery, post office and a couple of coffee shops. village centre of Tighnabruaich which has a village shop, doctor’s surgery, bank, hotels, restaurants, sailing club, sailing school, and arts and craft gallery. There are many local handicrafts being made in the village with a number of craft fairs being organised each year.
An evening out
Close by is The Glendaruel Hotel located at the Clachan of Glendaruel, PA22 3AA
Tel 01369 820274. This is a Traditional Hotel With a Lovely a contemporary feel and a Lively Bar and a Popular Restaurant. Eating out The An Lochan Tel: 01700 811239 offers top quality local fish, meat and game to guests wanting to sample the best of West Coast produce. There is also the Kames Hotel Tel 01700 811489 serving excellent food using local produce – freshly caught fish and shellfish, as well as fine Scotch beef and wild venison. This Edwardian hotel has a restaurant overlooking the water and its bar offers real ales, good malts and local history with their extensive collection of Edwardian and Victorian photographs.
Both properties have ample parking, central heating, double glazing indoor and outdoor games,garden furniture, gas barbecue and garden. The Stables accommodation consists of an open plan lounge with kitchen and dining area with TV Video, CD Player. Double bedroom after a long day stretch out and relax, enjoy the peace and quiet, this bedroom has ample hanging and drawer space and fantastic views of the Glen. The twin room (bunk beds) and is ideal for children and again has fantastic views. The 3 piece Shower room has wash hand basin and toilet. The Kitchen has a microwave, dishwasher, Fridge / Freezer, washing machine and a tumble drier are shared with the Hayloft in the adjacent boiler room. Other essentials such as glasses, crockery, cutlery and a corkscrew are also provided for your convenience.
The Hayloft is more spacious because its walls are less thick than the 2ft deep walls on the ground floor! Accommodation comprises an open plan lounge with TV Video, CD Player and kitchen and dining areas. Double bedroom after a long day stretch out and relax, enjoy the peace and quiet, this bedroom has ample hanging, drawer space and fantastic views of the Glen. The Twin bedroom has more room than that of the Stables with ample hanging, drawer space and again fantastic views of the Glen. The shower room has a toilet, wash hand basin and shower cubicle. The Kitchen has a fridge, freezer, microwave, dishwasher. A washing machine and a tumble drier are shared with the Stables in the adjacent boiler room. Other essentials such as glasses, crockery, cutlery and a corkscrew are also provided for your convenience.
Outdoor there is a paved area outside with garden furniture and large gardens to relax in. On the other side of the burn there is garden furniture and a paved (gas) barbecue area for use by the Stables, the Hayloft and the Haven. The Haven, Stables and Hayloft can also be let together as one cottage - known collectively as the Steadings!
Pets, midge control, Cots & High chairs
There are also midge control machines in operation. A cot and high chair are available. Both properties are all non-smoking. 'Well behaved and controlled dogs are welcome by arrangment. This is a rural glen and the surrounding fields may contain cattle and sheep, sometimes with young. Dog bedding should be provided by the guest.
The total package...'no hidden extras' All Electricity, heating, Towels, Duvets and bed linen are all included in the cost of hire.
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
"The Cottages, the views and the wildlife"
Open all year round
How Much? Scale of (7 day) weekly hire charges
Hire charges include all heating, electricity, towels and bedding
Or for more information 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.
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