| Taynuilt
is a large village with a population of about 800 people. It is a
thriving centre just off the main A85 road to Oban, which is only
12 miles away, and is a very pleasant journey by either road or rail.
The village is surrounded by a number of hamlets which include Kirkton,
Ichrachan, Airds, Hafton and the more outlying areas of Inverawe,
Bridge of Awe, Airds Bay, Barguillean, Balindore and Fearnoch. The
name Taynuilt is derived from the Gaelic 'Tigh-an-Uillt' meaning the
'house of the stream' which was a staging post and resting place for
travellers before the railway came in 1879 |
Munros
within 30 minutes Drive
BEN
CRUACHAN (1126m)
STOB DIAMH AND THE DALMALLY HORSESHOE (998m)
BEIINN A’ CHOCHUILL AND BEINN EUNAICH (980m, 989m)
BEN LUI AND BEINN A’ CHLIBH (1130m, 916m)
BEN OSS AND BEIN DUBHCHRAIG (1029m, 978m)
BEINN DORAIN AND BEINN AN DOTHAIDH (1076m,1002m)
BEN MORE AND STOB BINNEIN (1174m, 1165m)
CRUACH ARDRAIN (1046m) |
| Lorn
Furnace was established in 1753 to smelt iron ore imported from
Cumbria, using charcoals made from the extensive woods in the Taynuilt
area. This industry had a profound effect on the community until it
was closed in the late 19th century, employing about 600 people. The
buildings have recently been renovated and there is a small museum. |
| Loch
Etive extends for 18 miles from Connel (where there are the spectacular
tidal Falls of Lora) into the mountains towards Glen Coe. There are
no public roads on the loch side beyond Taynuilt, but regular cruises
take visitors to the head of the loch during the summer. The loch
also offers excellent sailing and sea fishing. |
| Ben
Cruachan and its western peak (3611 feet) dominates the village.
The higher peak (3689 feet) is visible from the Glen Lonan road. The
mountain can be climbed from opposite the Brander Lodge Hotel via
the water supply plant, or from the Dalmally end. The climb is not
for the unfit or faint-hearted and a careful watch should be kept
on weather conditions and forecast. |
| The
road from Taynuilt to Kilchrenan runs through beautiful Glen Nant.
After years of coppicing to make charcoal for the Lorn Furnace the
woods are a particularly good example of natural regeneration and
are in the care of the Nature Conservancy. |
| Cruachan
Power Station was excavated from the heart of Ben Cruachan. There
are four 100 mega watt pump turbines which are fed by a dam 1300 feet
up the mountainside to which the water is pumped back to by the same
machines during off-peak periods. The complex was built in the 1960's
and visitors are conveyed into the cavern in mini buses from the Visitors
Centre at the side of Loch Awe. |
| In
the lane opposite the station approach is Nelson's Monument
from where there is a fine view of the surrounding area. This rough-hewn
granite pillar, allegedly taken from another part of the village,
is inscribed "To the memory of Lord Nelson this stone was erected
by Lorn Furnace workmen 1805" and it must be one of the earliest
memorials to Nelson's victories. |
| Oban
today has a resident population of 8,500 and is the unofficial
capital of the West Highlands - the "Gateway to the Isles".
The panoramic views of the mountains, lochs and islands which have
captivated artists, authors, composers, and poets for centuries are
as striking now as they were when Dunollie Castle, a ruined keep which
has stood sentinel over the narrow entrance to the sheltered bay for
around six hundred years, was the northern outpost of the Dalriadic
Scots. For more details click here. Oban |
| The
Adventure of a lifetime can come to life with sights such as these.......
The Gulf of Corryvreckan and the world's third largest whirlpool;
Fierce tide races which few yachtsmen dare enter; The Garvellachs
islands and their link with Iona; Large colonies of seals and seabirds;
Rare white tailed sea eagles; Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins and
Terns; Regular sightings of Porpoises, Dolphins and occasional Minke
Whale; Tales of folklore and shipwrecks; Magnificent cliffs and spectacular
scenery. For more details click here.Seafari |
| If
you go out for a walk, make sure you take some binoculars with you
and see if you can spot any of the big cats that roam the Scottish
highlands, or find out more about them at the
Big
Cats Web Site |
| If
you want to see some fantastic photographs of Scotland, dramatic
landscapes, snow-capped mountains, beautiful sunsets, check out
Gordon
C. Harrison then
after all the inspiration, book a room at The Knowe!
|
| For
a list of everything to do with Scotland, try Rampant
Scotland |
| For
a Scottish Directory of websites about Scotland, things Scottish or
organisations based in Scotland. With 16000+ links Scotsmart
is now one of the largest link collections on the www dedicated to
just Scottish websites. |
|
Why
not visit Kintaline
Plant and Poultry Centre in Oban. Pure
breeds of chickens and ducks
and interesting and unusual garden plants. OPEN : Easter to October
from 10 a.m. daily
The rest of the year please phone before dropping in. Always open
for egg sales from our free roaming hens. |
| Search
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Be sure to make it your home page to make it easier to find in future. |
| Interested
in finding a cottage in other parts of Scotland?
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