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Falls of Lora Tidal Race - Just look out of the window!
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Falls of Lora under Connel Bridge

There are many interesting walks in Connel and the surrounding area. It is easy to join the Oban to Fort William walking/cycle track directly from the Cottage. To help you to become quickly familiar with walks you can access from the cottage we have created a couple of maps for you. The Black Lochs walk takes you through the Kilvaree crofting township with the land adjacent to the lochs designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in recognition of the botanical diversity found. This in turn creates ideal habitat for a wide variety of rare butterflies and other insects. Some of the other walks give you wonderful views of Connel Bridge and the surrounding coastline, including the famous Falls of Lora. Feel free to take the plans provided with you on your walks.

ACTIVITIES

Seals

CYCLING/WALKING

Oban to Fort William Route 78 – The Caledonian Way

DIVING

FISHING

WALKING

Walk Highlands

FLYING/GLIDING

DISTILLERY TOURS

Secret Stills

GOLF

PHOTOGRAPHY

Wildlife Photography Workshops, Dalavich

HORSE RIDING

Achnalarig Riding Centre

ROCK & ICE CLIMBING

Ice Factor, Kinlochleven

SKIING

SWIMMING

Atlantis Leisure Centre, Oban

QUADBIKING

Quadmania, Blairmore

BICYCLE & BOAT HIRE

BOAT TRIPS

BEACHES

Ardmucknish Bay, Ledaig

Lies below Ledaig caravan park and can be accessed via walk over Connel Bridge and along the shoreline past Oban Airport where you often spot many seabirds. There is usually constant noisy activity from Oystercatchers, Curlew, Turnstones, Gulls all vying for the next tasty bite! On one of our walks I was lucky enough to catch a shot of a baby Oystercatcher (looks like the Roadrunner!) on one of our many walks along the bay. Your local walks map shows the first 3.50km under Falls of Lora Walk and it is another 2.80km to reach the beach.

Tralee, Benderloch

If you enjoy a longer walk you can reach this beach on foot or bicycle by carrying on beyond Ardmucknish bay, through the village of Benderloch as shown on your map or if you prefer it is a 15-minute drive. The walk/cycle follows part of the Route 78 Caledonian Way walking/cycling path to Benderloch. You can pick up refreshments at the Benderloch shop or stop in the Ben Lora Café for breakfast/lunch on the way.

Ganavan Sands, Oban

A twenty five minute walk from Oban town centre or a short car or bus journey takes you to a lovely little beach with wonderful views over the sea to the island of Lismore and the Morvern peninsula beyond. There is great light for photography on the way and you pass Dunollie Castle to reach it.

CASTLES

Barcaldine Castle, Barcaldine
Not one you can visit for a tour, but on a wet afternoon it is lovely to go for an afternoon tea and feel the atmosphere of this haunted castle!
Castle Stalker, Appin
A few minutes by boat to reach this castle but well worth a visit and a lovely café to visit afterwards just up above you on the clifftop giving the best view of the castle and the surrounding coastline including many of the Hebridean islands.
Dunollie Castle, Oban
Lots to see and do at this castle and a lovely walk to it if you park at the Corran halls car park, walk along Oban esplanade and follow the track through the pillars you will see just beyond the Oban war memorial or if you prefer to drive there is a car park at the castle.

Dunstaffnage, Dunbeg
Visit this one in the better weather, interesting walk but no café facilities. However just along the road is the Ocean Explorer Centre, which is small but gives a great insight into the marine life in the area and it has a 35 seater café – I’m sure you’ll agree access to a cup of tea is vital when visiting a castle!
Kilchurn Castle, Lochawe
This castle has got to be one the most photographed castles in Argyll. One of my favourite places to capture this picturesque view, taking in the castle, is to park at Loch Awe train station and using the over rail crossing you will see what I mean. Ben Cruachan Inn is nearby for that all-important refreshment or meal.
Inveraray Castle, Inveraray
A stunning castle and grounds to visit with great facilities. So much more to visit as well on a trip to Inveraray including a wee refreshment/meal at the George Hotel, would certainly recommend a visit to this very old hostelry.

CINEMA

Oban Phoenix Cinema - one of the very few independent community owned cinemas in the world, up and running since August 2012, after previously closing in 2010. Here you can often buy some delicious Highland Fold ice-cream made using Highland cow milk, produced locally. When available it is perfect to enjoy while watching a good film.

EXHIBITION & HERITAGE CENTRES/MUSEUMS

Oban Distillery, Oban
Tobermory Distillery, Isle of Mull
Bonawe Iron Furnace, Taynuilt
Cruachan Power Station and Visitor Centre, Loch Awe
Oban War and Peace Museum, Oban
Kilmartin Museum, Kilmartin
Inveraray Jail, Inveraray
Atlantic Bridge, Isle of Seil
Easdale Island, Easdale – site of ancient slate quarries

FOOD AND DRINK

Connel has two hotels, both with great character and only a five minute walk from the cottage, at the bottom of Deirdre Road, turn left to reach The Oyster Inn & GluePot Bar where you can enjoy the warmth of a wee dram beside a log fire in the winter or sit outside, enjoy the scenery and watch the sun go down in the summer months while enjoying some of their fresh seafood dishes. If you turn right at the bottom of the road you are five minutes to the The Falls of Lora Hotel with its own unique décor, bistro and wonderful warm real fire throughout the winter months.

Connel also has a little local run café across the road from the cottage and there is also a well-stocked local shop that serves up delicious homemade soup, sandwiches, pies and cakes made fresh daily.

If you wish to venture into Oban to eat instead some of the ones we regularly visit are:

But there are many other lovely restaurants to choose from in Oban and the surrounding area.

You can see some of them on Tripadvisor »

There are lots of lovely little cafés to discover in the area but some of our favourites to visit are as follows:

GARDENS IN ARGYLL

Argyll is famous for its gardens, in particular for the stunning displays of Azaleas and Rhododendrons that illuminate much of the countryside in spring/early summer as well as many other beautiful plants.

View Gardens in Argyll »

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