Lochgilphead
Our visitor guide to Lochgilphead in Argyll, providing information on travel around the area, including how to get to Lochgilphead, sleeping and eating, self catering holiday cottages, B&Bs and hotels in Lochgilphead, and other essential visitor information.
Lochgilphead is the main town in the area, and the administrative centre for the entire Argyll and Bute region. It's a sleepy little place at the head of Loch Gilp, an arm of Loch Fyne. Lochgilphead started life as a planned town, but the industries came and went, leaving it with the customary grid plan of wide streets but little else. Today it serves as a useful base for exploring the area, with a decent range of accommodation, a bank and supermarket.
Phone code: +44 (0)1546
Population: 6,000
Banks: Bank of Scotland, Poltalloch St.
Eating Out
In Ardrishaig is the recently refurbished Grey Gull Inn, Tel. 606017, Fax. 606167, www.greygull.co.uk Breakfast not included but still very good value and serves snacks and meals all day. A cheaper alternative for eating out is The Stables, or the bar of the Stag Hotel, both on Argyll St. If you fancy a picnic, then try the Alba Smokehouse, an excellent deli in Kilmory, just east of town.
Useful Websites
Region
ArgyllTravel Directions to Lochgilphead
Getting there and getting around
There are buses from Lochgilphead to Cairnbaan, Achnamara and Tayvallich several times daily Mon-Sat. There are buses and shared taxis to Oban via Kilmartin (Mon-Sat) and a postbus to Inveraray (Mon-Sat). There's also a local service to and from Ardrishaig. For details of shared taxis, or to book a taxi, contact Mid Argyll Taxis, 4 Slockavullin, Kilmartin, Tel. 01546-510318.
Public transport is thin on the ground, but with a little time and patience it is possible to explore the area by bus. Scottish Citylink, Tel. 08705-505050, runs a daily service from Glasgow to Campbeltown which stops in Lochgilphead. The Tourist Information Centre is on Lochnell Street, Tel. 602344, Fax. 606254. You can find out times of buses here, or pick up a free copy of Argyll & Bute Council's Mid-Argyll timetable. Open Apr-Oct.
Local Sights & Activities for Lochgilphead
South of Lochgilphead, and almost a continuation of the town, is the village of Ardrishaig, where you'll find the Castle Riding Centre, at Brenfield Estate and Farm, Tel. 603274. Here you can enjoy cross-country horse riding, beach gallops, pub rides or hire mountain bikes, sail boards, boats, or even try clay pigeon shooting and archery. There's a nice easy walk from the car park at Kilmory Castle Gardens, about a mile east of town, up to Kilmory Loch. It takes about an hour there and back and is well marked. The gardens also make a pleasant stroll and there are other marked walks, including up to Dun Mór (360 ft).
Castles Nearby
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Duntrune Castle
The oldest continuously occupied castle in Scotland. Now occupied by the chieftain of Clan Malcolm
Lochgilphead Hotels & Accommodation
There are several hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs in and around Lochgilphead. Best of the bunch is Cairnbaan Hotel, Tel. 603668, Fax. 606045, a lovely 18th-century coaching inn overlooking the Crinan Canal in the village of Cairnbaan, just north of Lochgilphead. In the town itself is The Argyll Hotel on Lochnell St, Tel. 602221, Fax. 603576, which has a moderately priced restaurant and lively bar.
Just outside of town, at Bank Park, is a caravan park, where you can pitch a tent. It has the full range of facilities and also hires out mountain bikes, Tel. 602003.
Hotels near Lochgilphead
Featured
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Tigh Ban Lek Cottage, Oban, sleeps 6
Tigh Ban Lek is a traditionally built stone and wood cottage and is an area of dramatic natural scenic beauty.
- Sleeps: 6
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Ellary Estate Cottages and Chalets, Argyll
Traditional stone cottages and chalets in remote coastal location, in area of outstanding natural beauty.
Lochgilphead Cottages and Holiday SelfCatering
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Singing Heart Cottage near Lochgilphead - Sleeps 2-4
Alpine style cottage set in the owners' grounds in Argyllshire near Lochgilphead. Sleep four people in one bedroom and a futon.
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Anchor Cottage, Crinan Harbour - Sleeps 6-8
With breathtaking views across the sheltered bay at Loch Crinan, Anchor Cottage provides wonderful bright, spacious holiday accommodation. Based at the head of the Crinan Canal visitors can wander around a... -
The Factor's House, Kilmartin Glen - Sleeps 8-10
These holiday properties are beside the owner’s home in the middle of Kilmartin Glen in the heart of Mid Argyll, an area of beautiful scenery, steeped in history and rich in wildlife. The Glen is one... -
Lussa Falls nr Loch Sween - sleeps 4
In a superb location adjacent to Lussa Burn and waterfall, with views of Loch Sween and beyond, this spacious detached holiday property boasts a large hillside garden. Built in traditional stone, set in th... -
Gabran, Lochgilphead - Sleeps 2-3
These holiday properties are located adjacent to the owners home, beside the river, at the foot of Dunadd Fort, an historic monument associated with the Kings of Scotland since the Iron Age. Forming part o... -
Cruinn, nr Lochgilphead - Sleeps 4
Enjoying lovely views and sunsets over Loch Sween and Jura, this comfortable holiday cottage stands beside natural woodland on the owner’s working farm. This secluded peninsula is abundant with birds... -
Gallanach Cottage, Loch Gair - Sleeps 10
Peacefully situated by the shores of Lochgair, in a sheltered bay off Loch Fyne and enjoying magnificent views across the water, this traditional cottage is ideal for larger groups or extended .... -
Lodge No. 2, Loch Fyne - Sleeps 6
In a prime position on the shores of Loch Fyne, these immaculately presented holiday homes lie 2 miles south of Ardrishaig and its sister town Lochgilphead, which offers shops, places to eat out, and .. -
Lodge No. 1, Loch Fyne - Sleeps 4
In a prime position on the shores of Loch Fyne, these immaculately presented holiday homes lie 2 miles south of Ardrishaig and its sister town Lochgilphead, which offers shops, places to eat out, and .. -
Ardrishaig Cottage, Loch Fyne - Sleeps 6
In a prime position on the shores of Loch Fyne, these immaculately presented holiday homes lie 2 miles south of Ardrishaig and its sister town Lochgilphead, which offers shops, places to eat out, and .. -
Chapel Cottage, Lochgilphead - Sleeps 6-8
Set within the charming, private estate of Kirnan House, in an AONB, these properties (SEEJ, SEEK and SGGI) offer ideal, peaceful holiday retreats. Surrounded by 605 acres of unspoilt woodland and 25 acres... -
Daisylea, Cairnbaan - Sleeps 4
Watch yachts pass by from the garden of this charming terraced cottage, a perfect location to enjoy everything Argyll has to offer. Guests will find Daisylea welcoming, comfortable and delightfully decorat... -
Comgall, Lochgilphead - Sleeps 4
These holiday properties are located adjacent to the owners home, beside the river, at the foot of Dunadd Fort, an historic monument associated with the Kings of Scotland since the Iron Age. Forming part o... -
Harbour House, Crinan - Sleeps 6-8
With magnificent views across the Sound of Jura, Scarba and Mull, this listed building, dating from 1815, stands at the water’s edge in a sheltered peaceful bay known as Crinan Harbour. Attached to t... -
Hazelbank, nr Lochgilphead - Sleeps 4
This delightful detached holiday cottage has every amenity, having been tastefully modernised yet retaining its rural character. It offers an idyllic holiday, with spectacular walks to beautiful Loch Awe, ... -
Heron Cottage, Lochgilphead - Sleeps 2
Set within the charming, private estate of Kirnan House, in an AONB, these properties (SEEJ, SEEK and SGGI) offer ideal, peaceful holiday retreats. Surrounded by 605 acres of unspoilt woodland and 25 acres... -
Moy, Loch Sween - Sleeps 4
Situated within a wooded glade on the owner’s farm overlooking Loch Sween, this comfortable holiday cottage offers opportunities to watch deer from the windows or explore the seashore where seals and...