Heart of Argyll

Welcome to the Heart of Argyll, with our outstanding national nature reserves, abundant wildlife, prehistoric landscape and stunning coastal landscapes, we have it all.

Stretching from the picturesque fishing village of Tarbert, Loch Fyne, in the south to Loch Craignish in the north, over to Knapdale and Crinan in the west, across to Inveraray and Loch Awe in the east; with Kilmartin Glen in its midst, the Heart of Argyll boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe.

Unique visitor experiences include Auchindrain Highland farm township museum and the stunning Himalayan gardens at Crarae.

Historic Kilmartin Glen has the most important concentration of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in mainland Scotland. At least 800 ancient monuments, of which 150 are prehistoric, lie within six miles of Kilmartin village. Kilmartin Museum is the perfect start to your exploration of 6,000 years of human history.

Take time to explore the smaller roads and tracks that meander through our rugged natural landscape and deliver you to stunning castles, abandoned settlements, secret beaches, fishing villages, outstanding national nature reserves and “Britain’s most beautiful short cut”, the Crinan Canal.

Boat trips from Crinan and Ardfern take you to the world famous Correyvrekan Whirlpool. If that is not special enough, the sheer diversity of wildlife the area has to offer and breathtaking coastal scenery will overwhelm your senses.

A magical wildlife experience can be had at the Beaver Centre at Barrandaimh, the home of the Scottish beavers – the first reintroduction in UK history.

Visit www. heartofargyll. com to unlock the secrets of a welcoming place to stay, fabulous food and amazing things to do and see. Whether you intend to explore by car, by bike, to sail, kayak or just to wander, there is an adventure waiting. A week is not long enough!

for more information visit www.heartofargyll.com

hEaRt oF aRgyll

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top things to see, do and experience

dIsCovER thE CRInan Canal Walk, run, cycle the nine miles of towpath along Scotland’s most beautiful shortcut, Crinan Canal which joins Loch Fyne to Loch Crinan. Nature and engineering sideby-side. www.heartofargyll.com

ExPloRE ouR Coast and WatERs Walk the myriad coastal paths and forest trails, meander through Atlantic rainforest, investigate castle and ancient settlement ruins, discover our secret beaches or take a trip via boat or kayak. www.heartofargyll.com

soCIal hIstoRy The Highland Farm Township museum at Auchindrain and exhibitions at the Eggshed in Ardrishaig or at Tarbert Life, Tarbert provide insights into past rural and maritime life in the Heart of Argyll. www.heartofargyll.com MystICal kIlMaRtIn glEn The finest prehistoric rock art in Scotland, standing stones, stone circles and burial cairns. Kilmartin Museum offers free guided walks each Wednesday afternoon. www.heartofargyll.com

REWIldIng WIthIn knaPdalE FoREst Visit the Beaver and Wildlife Centre at Barrandaimh to discover the exploits of the Scottish beavers; explore the habitat of these amazing engineers and the many animals and plants that benefit from their activities.

www.heartofargyll.com

ExPERIEnCE thE CoRREyRECkan The third largest tidal whirlpool in the world is on our doorstep. Marvel in the power of the sea and the wild coastal scenery with a chance to spot marine and coastal wildlife in their natural environment. MaRvEl at sIgns oF sPRIng National Nature Reserves at Taynish and Moine Mhor, plus the wetlands of the Add Estuary are all teaming with new life at this time of year or stroll through the bluebells at Temple Wood. www.heartofargyll.com

gloRIous CRaRaE gaRdEns The Himalayan gardens at Crarae extend either side of the gorge above Loch Fyne. Mature rhododendrons, magnolias and camelias are at their showy best and bluebells accent the understorey of the magnificent trees. www.heartofargyll.com

EnJoy ouR sEaFood and CaFé CultuRE As you’d expect with a coastal community, exceptional seafood is the highlight of the food offering from our fabulous restaurants – but did you know we also excel at coffee and cake and light-bites, including vegan and gluten-free options. www.heartofargyll.com

Tartan & Tweed Trail

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Take a journey to the west of Scotland and you encounter a rugged landscape, beautiful beaches and the looms that produce Scotland’s most celebrated fabrics - tweed and tartan. Scottish tweed remains sought-after around the world, with Harris Tweed from the Western Isles, the most celebrated of all. Though its producers carefully preserve their traditional processes, their work is used by celebrity designers, and in fashionable clothes, furniture, accessories and art. To be classified as Harris Tweed, the cloth must have been hand-made in the Outer Hebrides, using wool dyed and spun in the islands. Harris Tweed is woven on a loom, in the home of a crofter and must meet the exacting requirements of the Harris Tweed Authority, which awards each piece a sought-after orb trademark label. There are specialist Harris Tweed shops across Argyll and the Isles. Buying it in the Outer Hebrides, where it was made is a unique experience, with the surroundings giving a sense of what inspires the fabric’s colours and patterns, and why there was a need for such a thick, warm cloth in the first place. Encyclopedias have been written about Scotland’s tartans, and while they may once have been the proud preserve of clan members, today producers are enthusiastic about sharing their traditions. International visitors can learn about their connection to an ancient tartan and watch it being made, or even commission a new one. Like Harris Tweed, tartans were once woven using wool dyes with naturally available fibres, but technology means that today the range of colours and items available is endless - from kilts and ties to bags, shoes, lamps and smart-phone cases.

OPEN

Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm

Harris Tweed Isle of Harris, Caberfeidh, Tarbert, Isle of Harris HS3 3DJ

OPEN

Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

Harris Tweed Hebrides Mill Shop, 25 North Beach, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS1 2XQ 1 harriS twEEd iSlE Of harriS

Situated in Tarbert, Harris, off the main junction A859. We offer a large selection of Harris Tweed clothing for ladies, gents and children. Superb range of bags, hats, shoes, purses & many more accessories, all in Harris Tweed. We also have a large store opposite the shop with over 100 exciting tweeds to choose from as well a range of locally made wool. We can offer weaving demonstrations and expert advice in store and online. Please do not hesitate to contact us. tel: (0) 1859 502040 Email: info@harristweedisleofharris.co.uk web: www.harristweedisleofharris.co.uk OPEN

Easter - End October Mon-Sat 9am-5pm November - Easter Mon-fri 9am-4pm Lochcarron Weavers Shop, Mid Strome, Lochcarron IV54 8YH

2 harriS twEEd hEbridES

Harris Tweed, handwoven in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland from pure virgin wool, is governed by the 1993 Harris Tweed Act of Parliament, safeguarding the fabric. Identifiable by the distinctive Orb trademark stamp, the artisan manufacturing process is protected and cannot be undertaken out with the Outer Hebrides. Harris Tweed Hebrides was founded in 2007, visit their retail outlet in Stornoway to see the finest Harris Tweed fabrics, garments and accessories. The mill is not currently open for tours however you can see a short film about these processes at the shop. Contact: (0) 1851 700046 Email: shop@harristweedhebrides.com www.harristweedhebrides.com OPEN

Mon-fri 9am-5pm Sat 10am-5pm

Islay Woollen Mill, Bridgend, Isle of Islay, PA44 7PG

OPEN

Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

Eas a Mhuilinn, Kilmelford PA34 4XA 3 thiStlE fairy dESigNS

Thistle Fairy Designs bags and accessories are designed and handcrafted in Shona’s garden studio in Kilmelford, near Oban. Using only limited edition, short run Harris Tweeds sourced direct from independent weavers on the Isle of Harris and Cork Leather, an environmentally friendly, vegan alternative to animal leather from Portugal, Thistle Fairy products are unusual, unique and stylish. Combining practicality with sustainable environmentally friendly fashion each bag is original and unique. You can visit the studio in Kilmelford by contacting Shona. Email: shona@thistlefairydesigns.co.uk, tel: 07854732411, facebook Or shop online at www.thistlefairydesigns.co.uk OPEN

Mon-Sun 10am-5pm

Ardalanish Farm & Isle of Mull Weavers, Bunessan, Isle of Mull PA67 6DR 4 lOChCarrON wEavErS

With a heritage dating back to 1892, Lochcarron of Scotland is the world’s leading manufacturer of tartan. Its craftsmen and women design, dye, warp, weave, mend and tailor textiles that are in demand around the world. Situated on the banks of picturesque Lochcarron in Wester-Ross, Lochcarron Weavers has to boast one of the most scenic locations for a shop. When you step inside you will find a range of tartans, luxury knitwear, kilts and tweed clothing all complemented beautifully with the right accessories. You can buy these finest Scottish products in high quality natural fibres including cashmere, lamora, mohair and lambswool. We look forward to welcoming you soon. Contact: (0) 1520 722 212 Email: joy@lochcarron.com www.lochcarron.co.uk

5 iSlay wOOllEN Mill

First established in 1883, the Islay Woollen Mill was re-opened by Gordon and Sheila Covell in 1981 and is now run as a family business, making a range of products including scarves, tweed jackets and kilts, as well as raw fabrics, using its two Victorian looms. Visitors are welcome to visit the mill, which is near Bridgend, just off the main Port Askaig road, to learn about the traditional techniques and fabrics, see the historic machinery in action, and browse the range of items in the shop. Contact: 01496 810563 Email: mill@islaywoollenmill.co.uk www.islaywoollenmill.co.uk

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Ardalanish Isle of Mull Weavers is a textile business set on a 1500 acre farm near Bunessan on the Isle of Mull. Here, award winning products are produced using wool from the farm’s own sheep. Visitors are welcome at the farm shop and mill shop on site, where they can browse a range of woven products, wool and tweed, and get their hand on some lovely items such as accessories that are not available online. A visit is not complete without a tour of the weaving mill, which will include a demonstration and explanations about how the weaving process works. Contact: (0)1681 700265 Email: info@ardalanish.com www.ardalanish.com