 |
| 1. Oban to Angus Garden |
| There is a delightful drive from the back of Oban through Glen Lonan along a single track road to Angus Garden. Heading south (yes south!) from the centre of Oban, after a very short distance turn left by a distinctive church with a spire up Glencruitten Road past the golf course. After a few miles at a T junction turn right and then left into Glen Lonan. This beautiful, but small and twisty, road goes all the way to Taynuilt passing Angus Garden on the left. This is one of the most peaceful gardens separate from any buildings or houses, with a wonderful range of rhododendrons in a natural setting of trees, ponds and lochs. From the garden there are magnificent views of Ben Cruachan and Glen Etive. |
|
 |
| 2. Angus Garden to Ardchattan Priory Garden |
Continue on another 2 miles to Taynuilt Village. Here you will find a hotel, shops and a tea room. Turn left on the main road back towards Oban until you reach Connel Village. Turn left to go round and over Connel Bridge towards Fort William. Turn right immediately after the bridge. This takes you on a beautiful drive along the shores of Loch Etive.
After a few miles you come to Ardchattan Priory. This is an historic house with the ruins of a chapel in the grounds and a garden dating back to the 13th century. There are lawns with herbaceous beds, roses and a rockery and several special trees like Cornus kousa, Hoheria lyalii and Eucryphia glutinosa. |
|
 |
| 3. Ardchattan to Kinlochlaich House Gardens |
From Ardchattan you can either go back towards Connel to join the main road north or continue on along the shores of the loch and take a left turn on another quiet single track road over the hill to Barcaldine, with great views back to Taynuilt and then over the hills of Appin. Turn right when you join the main road until you come to Kinlochlaich House Gardens on the right 300metres after the turning to Port Appin (this is delightful detour for views of Castle Stalker and Lismore. Petrol available at the junction.)
Kinlochlaich House Gardens surround the historic house and include a fine octagonal walled garden, Spring garden and woodland walk. Within the walled garden is a garden centre stocked with many of the plants you will have seen on your journey particularly suitable for the West coast climate. Refreshments can be found at The View Café only a mile further along the road north. |
|
 |
| 4. A worthwhile journey on to Ardtornish |
To include Ardtornish on your itinerary, it might be better to take another day or drive directly north from Oban via Ardchattan and Kinlochlaich. To get to Ardtorrnish you take the Corran Ferry 3 miles after Ballachulish Bridge on the main road from Oban to Fort William. Across the ferry turn left, and at the head of Loch Sunart turn left to Lochaline.
Ardtornish sits in a wonderful setting at the head of Loch Aline with a large woodland garden ranging over the hills and glens of the estate with colour and flower at most times of year. In Lochaline village there is a shop, petrol and an excellent restaurant.
|
|
 |
| 5. Ardtornish back to Oban |
| In Lochaline village there is a shop, petrol and an excellent restaurant. Once you have got this far it is just as quick to go by ferry from Lochaline to Fishnish on Mull and then after a short drive to Craignure for the Calmac ferry back to Oban! |
|
