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.
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.
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.
I called Port Charlotte Hotel Restaurant in advance to make sure there was a table for four available. The friendly lady at the phone said there would be a table available at about 8.15 pm. This turned out to be a little too optimistic: when we arrived at about 8.05 pm the restaurant was fully booked and the lady who welcomed us, said our table wasn’t ready yet. While we waited, they offered us seating in the bar, which was also quite crowded. Since we knew finding another restaurant at this hour wouldn’t be that easy, we decided to wait it out while studying the menu and enjoying a glass of white wine.
We all ordered some fish dishes. Finally our table was ready at about 9 pm. A bit later then we had hoped, but by that time we were so hungry that any meal would have been great. I had ordered the Chef’s Hot Seafood Platter, which was a bit on the expensive side, but really value for money. The fish was great and I loved it very much. Service was also really friendly.
In the future I guess, I wouldn’t make any last minute reservations at ort Charlotte Hotel Restaurant and try to go for an early dinner.
Information
Port Charlotte Hotel Restaurant
Main Street
Port Charlotte PA48 7TU
Isle of Islay
Argyll
Scotland
+441496 850360
info@portcharlottehotel.co.uk
http://www.portcharlottehotel.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/The-Port-Charlotte-Hotel-108624752587131/
Visited April 2017. You can find my review about Port Charlotte Hotel Restaurant also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 4/5, service 3/5, food 4/5.
The Bluebell café can get rather busy. When we wanted to have lunch there we had to wait in line for about ten minutes. When the wait was over our waitress brought us to a nice table at the window.
Expectations are high when so many people visit a place, sadly those weren’t met. The jacked potato with prawn Marie Rose I ordered was mediocre at best, the shrimps were drowned in so much sauce they were hardly visible. The little salad with dressing was nice though. The ham and cheese toast and the burger my companions ordered were nothing special either.
Very plain food, to be honest. And the service wasn’t as friendly as we’ve gotten used to in Scotland.
Cafe Bluebell, 6 Hall Street, Campbeltown PA28 6BU, Scotland
+44 1586 552800
Visited April 2017. You can find my review about Cafe Bluebell also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 4/5, service 3/5, food 3/5.
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