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 |
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 either of the cottages!
|
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. |
Activities in and around
Taynuilt near Oban, Argyll