CHATTING WITH OUR VISITORS Read what our recent visitors enjoyed about their day trips or short breaks as they return home from their post-lockdown trip... some went the extra mile, and others made the very most of what’s on their own doorstep.
CATHY & FAMILY, SPENDING A FEW DAYS BASED IN ARROCHAR Is a Staycation a new thing for you? No, every year we tend to do staycations in Scotland, England and Wales as well as going abroad. It’s something fun to do with the kids and we can also take our small dogs along with us. I think it’s about time to relax, we do a lot of walking and eating out. Who are you travelling with and why? My husband and two sons. We chose to holiday in Scotland as it felt safe, prior to lockdown we had two holidays planned to Poland and France but of course they had been cancelled. Is this your first time visiting here or have you been to Argyll and the Isles before? We’ve travelled to Arrochar before but never stayed overnight and tend to stay in Argyll about 3-4 times a year. What have you done in the last 24 hours? We did lots of things on our trip, we visited Inveraray Jail which was really well presented, went to the Bridge over the Atlantic, Loch Melfort etc. Everything has still been fun as usual and social distancing has been at the forefront of everyone’s minds. What have you missed most about travelling over lockdown? The change of scenery and the great outdoors. My husband has been cooped up in the kitchen working from home during lockdown so it was great getting away from it. Where do you most want to visit in Argyll that you’ve not been to before? We’d like to visit more of the isles as they’re all unique in their own way, we’ve heard great things about Easdale and Tiree.
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Did you discover a hidden spot or visit any new places? We stumbled across Kilmartin on our way back from Oban, which was a really lovely village. We also visited the stunning Crinan Canal, which my husband saw for the first time, and along the eastern banks of Loch Lomond. How did you feel before and after visiting? We were really looking forward to our trip and it definitely delivered. I think you just have to be mindful of the new restrictions being put in place but for us it was really minimal effort and hassle. The experience in Argyll, has given us the confidence to go on more staycations this year. FIONA & ALI, ON A NIGHT AWAY WITHOUT THE KIDS AT THE PIERHOUSE HOTEL, PORT APPIN Is a Staycation a new thing for you? Staycations aren’t a new thing for us. We have 6 children and see no reason to go anywhere else. There’s so much on offer and each time you go away it feels like your miles and miles away. I think you’d be mad to go travelling abroad whilst this pandemic is going on. Who are you travelling with and why? My husband, it was a much-needed time for us to relax, and not travel far from our home in Argyll. Is this your first time visiting here or have you been to Argyll and the Isles before? We’ve lived in the area for 18 years and travel around all the time, each time and place feels different. What have you done in the last 24 hours? Although we had a relaxing holiday, we also had lots of activities, running, going out on the bikes and long walks. We thoroughly enjoyed staying in the hotel and drinking lots of gin & tonics!
What have you missed most about travelling over lockdown? I travel a lot for work so getting to travel for pleasure has been a great escapism. Where do you most want to visit in Argyll that you’ve not been to before? It would be great to go to Ostel Bay near Tighnabruiach for the white stunning beaches. Did you discover a hidden spot or visit any new places? We went on lovely walks near Port Appin and Benderloch, and got to see lots of beautiful waterfalls. How did you feel before and after visiting? Not anxious at all as I knew where we were going was super trustworthy. It exceeded all my expectations, great food and appreciated that management kept things super calm. It’s a stressful time for everyone at the moment but the staff seemed well trained and supported. ALAN & BRENDA, RETURNING TO THEIR CARAVAN AT TAYVALLICH WITH THEIR DOG Is a Staycation a new thing for you? No, we have our own caravan so we tend to go away every few weeks. It’s great fun especially when the kids were younger. This time we decided to have more of a culinary trip and ate the freshest seafood across Argyll. Who are you travelling with and why? My wife and our cocker spaniel, Cosmo. Is this your first time visiting here or have you been to Argyll and the Isles before? It’s not our first time, we’ve travelled around Argyll quite a bit to places like Crinan, Lochgilphead and Brenda visits a great yoga retreat once a year up near Kilmartin.
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