Exploring the world one bite at a time
The Tower itself feels kind of unfinished (it actually is), but the view is superb. It is a steep climb though.
Information
McCaig’s Tower
Battery Hill
Duncraggan Road
Oban
Argyll PA34 5DP
Scotland
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCaig%27s_Tower
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/mccaigs-tower-p255141
Visited June 2013. You can find my review about McCaig’s Tower also on TripAdvisor.
Dunheanish Guest House has it all: friendly hosts (with a lovely sense of humour), excellent breakfast, clean and spacious rooms and a view to die for. We absolutely enjoyed our stay here and wouldn’t think about staying anywhere else if we return to Oban. Be prepared to climb some steps though when coming from the harbour. But we didn’t mind the exercise.
Sadly there wasn’t room for us in the rooms facing the bay of Oban, but we could sit outside on the terrace while watching the sunset.
Information
Dunheanish Guest House
Ardconnel Road
Oban
Argyll PA34 5DW
Scotland
+44(0) 1631 566556
info@dunheanish.com
https://www.dunheanish.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dunheanish-Guest-House/144466766273753
Stayed June 2013. You can find my review about Dunheanish Guest House also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 5/5, location 5/5, sleep quality 4/5, rooms 4/5, cleanliness 5/5, service 5/5.
We visited the Jura distillery on the afternoon of Good Friday. Due to the Easter holiday there were no tours, but since we came all the way from Belgium, the lovely lady at the counter offered to give us a small tour. Because we wouldn’t get the full tour, we got a discount. We were very happy that thanks to that kind lady we had the opportunity to visit the Jura distillery.
After the tour (which I found the be more extensive than I would have hoped for) we got to taste some different Jura whisky’s. Very impressed by the customer service of this place!
Information
Jura Whisky Distillery
Craighouse
Argyll PA60 7XT
Isle of Jura
http://www.jurawhisky.com/en/
https://www.facebook.com/JuraWhisky
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jura_distillery
Visited April 2017. You can find my review about Jura Distillery also on TripAdvisor.
Went for a quick lunch at Antlers before visiting the Jura distillery. I really liked the cozy atmosphere in this quaint little café. I felt right at home! Loved the fact that the place was decorated with lots of pictures showing the history of Jura. We really enjoyed looking at all those pictures while waiting for our food.
The food was really basic, but cheap. Ideal for a quick lunch. On a next visit I would love to try some of their home baked cakes, which looked absolutely delicious.
Information
Bistro and restaurant The Antlers
Craighouse
Craighouse PA60 7XS
Isle of Jura
Scotland
https://www.facebook.com/antlers.jura/
http://isleofjura.scot/the-antlers-bistro-restaurant-craighouse-jura/
Visited May 2017. You can find my review about The Antlers also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 5/5, service 3/5, food 3/5.
The Ormidale in Brodick is a classic pub with a nice bar and a cozy interior. We went here for dinner after a busy day of walking on Arran. So naturally we were very hungry. For starters we ordered the Creelers smoked salmon and haggis nachos. Both were very nice. The haggis nachos were a pleasant surprise, I have to say.
As a main course, I had the Arran venison casserole with mashed potatoes. My boyfriend had the spicy lamb burger. I have to be honest here, the venison casserole was a disappointment: very bland, not at all the taste explosion I had hoped for. The spicy lamb burger also wasn’t very spicy. Perhaps I was expecting a bit too much? The food wasn’t expensive after all, but after the nice starters I would have hoped for an equally nice main course.
Information
Ormidale Hotel
Knowe Road
Brodick KA27 8BQ
Isle of Arran
Scotland
http://www.ormidale-hotel.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/Ormidale-Hotel-151022348262149/
Visited April 2017. You can find my review about Dining at Ormidale Hotel also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 4/5, service 4/5, food 3/5.
From all the distilleries that I visited in Scotland, Bunnahabhain distillery definitely was the most charming. The buildings got a real old and authentic feel to them, which I liked a lot. We booked the guided tour in the tiny tiny whisky shop. What a contrast with the modern en spacious shops of most of the distilleries we visited before.
The guide who showed us around was very passionate and very knowledgeable. I found his explanation very clear and liked the fact that it was laced with a bit of humor. He told us that the new owners of Bunnahabhain have big plans for it and are planning on renovating the buildings and constructing a new shop in some of the old warehouses.
I especially loved the location at the seaside, with view on the Paps of Jura. The Bunnahabhain whisky was right up my alley, because it wasn’t too peated, like most of the Islay whisky’s. Highly recommended when visiting Islay.
Information
Bunnahabhain Distillery
Port Askaig
Isle of Islay
Port Askaig PA46 7RP
Scotland
http://bunnahabhain.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Bunnahabhain
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunnahabhain_Distillery
Visited April 2017. You can find my review about Bunnahabhain Distillery also on TripAdvisor.
We were passing through Glasgow on a Saturday evening, so naturally most of the restaurants were fully booked. Since we had no reservations we just had to hope for the best. When entering Obsession of India we could see the restaurant was very busy, but decided to give it a try anyway.
I have to say the restaurant owner was very gracious and helpful. Clearly he could have sent us away, but instead he offered to make room for us in the back of the restaurant, on the condition that we had to finish our meal in an hour and a half. No problem for us, the smells emanating from all the lovely dishes around us was so mouth watering, that we were sure we could finish our meal in time.
We ordered chicken milky karahi, chicken shahi karahi, chicken smoke karahi and methi gosht with nan. The food arrived very quickly at our table and I must say I was very impressed with our dishes. Honestly some of the best Indian food I have had in my life (and I’ve tried a lot of Indian food). The dishes were lovely presented and very tasty.
Highly recommended if you like Indian food.
Information
Indian restaurant Obsession Of India
25 High Street
Glasgow G1 1LX
Scotland
+441415520700
info@obsessionofindia.co.uk
https://www.obsessionofindia.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/Obsession-Of-India-397707463770694/
https://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/obsession-of-india-glasgow-2
Visited April 2017. You can find my review about Obsession Of India also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 5/5, service 5/5, food 5/5.
Had a great dinner at Ardshiel Hotel. The food was rather classic, but clearly prepared with a lot of care. The turbot I ordered was perfectly cooked and I loved the fact that the vegetables were served separately so everybody on the table could pick what they liked. The crumble I had as dessert was really just the perfect way to end the meal. Very good!
The ambiance in the dining area is very nice. I loved the fact that the ceiling is decorated with whisky bottles, illuminated by blue lights. Gave a modern feel to the classic interior. It was a bit chilly where we originally sat, because the door to the kitchen area swung open lots of times. But not to worry, we just moved to another table, which was no problem at all for the staff, who were very friendly and accommodating.
The bar also offers an excellent whisky selection, which we were very happy to try. A really great evening!
Information
Restaurant/hotel Ardshiel
Kilkerran Road
Campbeltown PA28 6JL
Argyll
Scotland
+44 1586 552133
info@ardshiel.co.uk
http://www.ardshiel.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/ArdshielHotel
Visited April 2017. You can find my review about Ardshiel Restaurant also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 4/5, service 4/5, food 4/5.
Yan’s Kitchen is a nice restaurant with big windows looking over the bay. The Chinese chef knows how to prepare seafood, so if you want to eat here, make sure you have reservations. I was so impressed by the grilled Islay hand-dived scallops that we came back to eat here for a second time. You also have to try the oysters, which are really good. My second visit, I ordered the catch of the day, and again, very, very good.
Really this place is a must visit if you like seafood. The best I had on Islay. The friendly atmosphere and the warm fireplace just add to the charm. No wonder I saw a rainbow on the first visit!
Information
Restaurant Yan’s Kitchen
Main Street (Opposite the Islay Museum)
Port Charlotte
Isle of Islay
Argyll and Bute PA48 7UD
Scotland
+44 1496 850230
reservations@yanskitchen.co.uk
http://www.yanskitchen.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/www.yanskitchen.co.uk/
Visited April 2017. You can find my review about Yan’s Kitchen also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 4/5, service 4/5, food 5/5.
Davaar is a beautiful rocky island that you can only visit when the tide is low. So make sure to check first at the tourist information center when it is safe to walk there. The island isn’t very big, but the loose rocks make the walk kind of challenging.
When we visited Davaar Island it was really cold and a strong wind almost blew us away. Nonetheless is was an unforgettable experience. Make sure to visit the cave with the wallpainting of Jesus Christ.
Information
Davaar Island
55.42°N 5.54°W
Campbeltown PA28 6RE
Scotland
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davaar_Island
Visited April 2017. You can find my review about Davaar Island Cave Painting of the Crucifixion also on TripAdvisor.
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