Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GIGHA: “THE
good isle”
Pronounced “
gee
-a” with a hard
g
(as in
gear), this small island gets its name
from the ancient Norse ruler King Haa-
kon who once dominated this region of
Scotland. It means “the good isle.” And
good, indeed, it is. Tiny and placid,
Gigha is best known for its
Achamore
Gardens
with their exceptional
springtime display of rhododendrons
and azaleas. But as a quiet place to
escape and relax, it is excellent, as well.
There are plenty of rural and coastal
walks. Gigha is also particularly note-
worthy because on March 15, 2002, the
residents established a community trust
and assumed ownership of the isle. The
30-minute ferry for Gigha leaves from
Tayinloan on the Kintyre peninsula. For
overnight dinner, bed, and breakfast
accommodations, contact the
Gigha
Hotel
(
&
01583/505-254;
www.gigha.
org.uk).
Hunters Quay Hotel
Right on the water, north of the Dunoon town center, this
up-to-date whitewashed mansion is a very welcoming and comfortable hotel. Guest
rooms are individually sized and decorated. Your best option in the immediate vicinity.
Hunters Quay, Marine Parade.
&
01369/707-070.
www.huntersquayhotel.co.uk. 10 units. Double
£90-£100. AE, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar.
In room:
TV, hair dryer.
Russian Tavern at the Port Royal Hotel
RUSSIAN/SEAFOOD You're not
likely to find another place like this on your travels in Scotland. In the village of Port
Bannatyne just 3km (2 miles) north of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, the Royal is a
family-run inn where the house specialties include Russian cuisine (for example blini,
spicy sausage, and pavlova), fresh fish and seafood, and some rarely found Scottish
ales served from kegs atop the bar in the small cafe/pub. All meals are cooked to
order. Overnight rooms, two with en suite baths, are basic rather than luxurious.
Main St., Port Bannatyne, Bute.
&
01700/505-073.
www.butehotel.com. Main courses £16-£24. Mar-
Nov Wed-Mon 12:30-10:30pm. Closed winter. 5 units. £50 double. Rates include continental breakfast.
MC, V. Parking on street.
Amenities:
Restaurant/bar.
In room:
TV, hair dryer.
The Seafood Cabin
SEAFOOD This place (aka the Crab Shack) south
of Tarbert in Skipness is special and worth a detour if you fancy seafood. The meals,
prepared in a converted 1950s-style mini-trailer (or caravan) in the shadow of a
castle ruin, feature langoustines, queen scallops, mussels, smoked salmon, and
more. It's completely unassuming, with chickens and ducks freely wandering on the
grass around the picnic tables. There's no better place on a sunny day to have an
organic bottle of ale and chow down fresh seafood.
B8001, Skipness, Tarbert, Argyll: 20km (12 miles) south of Tarbert off the A83.
&
01880/760-207.
Lunch £8-£16. June-Sept Sun-Fri 11am-6pm.
20
LOCH LOMOND, STIRLING &
THE TROSSACHS
One of the benefits of Glasgow is its proximity to wild, open spaces. While a diverse
region, Loch Lomond, Stirling, and the Trossachs offer the largest inland body of
