Perfect places south of Oban

Get your Argyll fi x off the A816. Here are fi ve places to visit between Oban and Kilmartin Glen.

KiLMORe & KiLbRiDe

Kilbride Church is an atmospheric ruin that has been a place of worship since the 6th century. Further on, the quaint village of Kilmore is the starting point of the Glen Lonan Road, a great place to start a road trip which showcases mountains, moors and more, including the charming and peaceful Angus’ Memorial Garden. Close to Kilmore is Lerags, home to Th e Barn, a great country pub which serves delicious food and off ers a play area - and even a duck pond - to delight younger visitors. A beach at Ardfern

Ellenabeich and Easdale Island

Follow signs to Easdale off the main road and hop over the humped ‘Atlantic Bridge’ to Ellenabeiche famed for its slate mining industry. Framed by white mine-workers’ cott ages this quaint seaside village is the gateway to popular Easdale island, which can be reached by a fi ve-minute crossing on a small passenger ferry. Discover a lovely pub/cafe serving home cooking and home bakes. Its pools, a defi ning feature, were once active slate quarries, and together with the wide variety of fl ora and bird life, make Easdale unique.

KiLMeLfORD

Kilmelford is nestled close to the head of Loch Na Cille on Loch Melfort, with its prett y 18th century church, cafe and pub and the lovely Loch Melfort Hotel nearby. From Fearnach Bay you can take a boat or yacht trip and for the most striking Autumn displays, head to Arduaine Garden, a NTS garden, home to a range of exotic and native plants and trees.

ARDfeRn

At the head of Loch Craignish, Ardfern is a bustling village and another popular base for sailors. Th e range of facilities here include a village store, cafe and the historic Galley of Lorne, a homely 17th century inn, said to have once been the fi rst stop on the journey to market for drovers who swam their catt le across from the Isle of Jura.