Welcome to HOLIDAY West Highland – Discover the West Highlands

Melfort – an area of outstanding natural beauty

Author Holiday West Highland

Enjoy the hustle and bustle of Oban, then if you want to take in the beauty of the Highlands, go south 16 miles on the A836 to the Village of Kilmelford, with its Village Post Office and the Cuilfail Hotel.

The Cuilfail is a real Scottish gem, charming, with authentically traditional food, and offering fifteen different kinds of single malt whiskies, in what was once a Drovers Inn. The majority of the hotel was built during the Victorian era and one can still find some fascinating old photos. The name Cuilfail (pronounced ‘cool-fail’) in Gaelic appropriately means ‘Sheltered Corner’ and is run by Jack and Lourda MacDonald.

On the shores of Melfort Village at Melfort Pier, you will find the Melfort Mermaid Restaurant, with fabulous views from its panoramic windows, with fresh cooked local food and all day service, or just enjoy a cup of the best brewed coffee in Argyll, with scones or short bread. It is open 7 days a week, with plenty of parking, and 100% disabled friendly. Children of all ages very welcome, with a playground and beaches.

A half mile south of Kilmelford, take the right turn, sign posted 1½ miles to Melfort Pier, and follow the loch shore on the single track road, over the wee Oude river bridge, then immediately left and a ¼ mile further you arrive at Melfort Pier & Harbour.

On the shores of Melfort Village at Melfort Pier, you will find the Melfort Mermaid Restaurant, with fabulous views from its panoramic windows, with fresh cooked local food and all day service, or just enjoy a cup of the best brewed coffee in Argyll, with scones or short bread. It is open 7 days a week, with plenty of parking, and 100% disabled friendly. Children of all ages very welcome, with a playground and beaches.

The sixteen holiday homes located around the harbour, are fully equipped to the highest standards and can be rented by the night. There are twenty moorings available just off shore if you wish to visit by boat, with a floating arrival dock alongside the ancient Pier, with under-cover dinghy storage inside the harbour.

Melfort Pier, built 180 years ago, is located in the centre of the Magic of Melfort, an area of outstanding natural beauty, and is ideally situated for those who wish to explore the hills on foot, or the surrounding coast and islands be boat.

There are many miles of excellent walks, some of which provide the opportunity for wild life spotting, from the brown eagle to grey heron, gold finches, robins and deer, with stunning views over the surrounding countryside, and many locations for shore side sea fishing.

If you wish to enjoy the area by boat, then a short drive on down the A836 brings you to Craobh Haven, (pronounced ‘croove’) the base for Farsain Cruises. The skipper will take you on a special trip along the shores of Jura, Scarbe, Luing, the Garvellachs, and one of the largest whirlpools in the world at the Corrywreckan.

The Appaloosa stables, also located at Croabh and open all year, offer group, private or lunge lessons, natural ground training, and schooling on the all weather arena round pen, with gymnastic jumping lane or over outlying cross country jumps. Peaceful hacks or day-rides with cameras and picnic bags. Rides might include a visit to local shrub gardens, to village Inns, rounding up hill cattle or simply splashing along the sea shore.

Round the day off with a visit to Arduaine Gardens, open from 9.30 a.m. till sunset. It is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty and historical interest. Disabled friendly and plenty of free parking.

To find out more about the Magic of Melfort, read the ads and check out the web sites. It is a pet friendly area, great hill walking, lots of wildlife, good fishing and good hospitality.

www.cuilfail.com
www.aboutscotland.com/argyll/appaloosa.html
www.mellowmelfort.com