Discover where you will be staying
Craigneuk is situated in the charming village of Benderloch. In the village, you will find a convenient shop that stocks all the essentials that you might need, including additional logs for the log burner. During the summer months, there is also a delightful coffee and book shop where you can enjoy a relaxing hot drink. For those who love cycling, the Caledonian Cycle Way runs right in front of the house, providing a scenic route to explore. If you fancy a drink, the nearest pub, the Lochnell Arms, is just a 40-minute walk along the cycle way. Additionally, the Oyster Inn & Gluepot bar is located just over Connel bridge. If you're looking for more adventure, the town of Oban is only a 15-minute drive away, granting you easy access to the stunning Inner Hebrides Islands.
YOUR FIRST VIEW OF OBAN IS ONE YOU ARE UNLIKELY TO FORGET
Traveling from the north, you glimpse this bustling port from the top of the 'Bealach-an-Righ' which is the hill leading you down into the town. As you sweep down the hill towards the expanse of the bay, the views open up before you and one begins to appreciate why Oban has developed into Scotland's most popular west-coast holiday town.
Little Bay
Beyond Oban ("little bay" in Gaelic - Scotland's ancient Celtic language) lie the islands of the Inner Hebrides: Kerrera, which protects the town from Atlantic storms; the low, green island of Lismore; majestic Mull, and the granite mountains of the Morvern peninsula. Beyond them, the sacred island of Iona, Coll, Colonsay and Tiree.
Capital of West Highlands
Oban, with a current population of 8,500, is considered the unofficial capital of the West Highlands in Scotland. It is often referred to as the "Gateway to the Isles" and has gained recognition as "The Seafood Capital of Scotland". The breath taking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, lochs, and islands have been a source of inspiration for artists, authors, composers, and poets throughout the centuries. These captivating views remain just as remarkable today as they were when Dunollie Castle, the northernmost outpost of the Dalriadic Scots, stood guardian over the narrow entrance to the sheltered bay six hundred years ago. Although now in ruins, Dunollie Castle is just one of the many castles that can be explored in the region.
"One of the finest spots we have seen"
It is no wonder that Oban continues to attract travellers from around the world in the 21st century. This popularity can be traced back to the Victorians, as early as 1812, when the Comet steamship connected Oban with Glasgow. The town, which developed around Oban Distillery, became a hub for adventurous travellers exploring Staffa - the very place that inspired Mendelssohn's Hebridean Overture - and Iona, a significant site for Scottish Christianity since St Columba's arrival in AD563. In fact, once Queen Victoria herself praised Oban as "one of the finest spots we have seen," the town's fate as a charming and captivating holiday destination was firmly set, much like the solid lava columns of Fingal's Cave in Staffa.