Sights in Argyll & Bute
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Inveraray Maritime Museum
The Arctic Penguin, a three-masted schooner built in 1911 and one of the world’s last surviving iron sailing ships, is permanently moored in Inveraray harbour and houses the Inveraray Maritime Museum. It has interesting photos and models of the old Clyde steamers and puffers, and a display about Para Handy, the fictional sea captain created by local novelist Neil Munro (and celebrated in two successful TV series in the 1960s and 1990s). Kids will love exploring below the decks – there’s a special play area in the bowels of the ship.
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Ben More
The highest peak on the island, Ben More (966m/3168ft) has spectacular views in clear weather across to the surrounding islands. A trail leads up the mountain from Loch na Keal, by the bridge on the B8035 over the Abhainn na h-Uamha river (14km/8mi southwest of Salen). There's not much of a path. The round trip is 10.5km (6.5mi); allow five to six hours.
The glen can be rather wet. Return the same way or continue down the narrow ridge to the eastern top, A'Chioch, then descend to the road via Gleann na Beinn Fhada.
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McCaig’s Tower
Crowning the hill above the town centre is the Victorian folly known as McCaig’s Tower. Its construction was commissioned in 1890 by local worthy John Stuart McCaig, an art critic, philosophical essayist and banker, with the philanthropic intention of providing work for unemployed stonemasons.
To reach it on foot, make the steep climb up Jacob’s Ladder (a flight of stairs) from Argyll St and then follow the signs. The views over the bay are worth the effort.
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Duart Castle
Two miles beyond Torosay is Duart Castle, a formidable fortress dominating the Sound of Mull. The seat of the Clan Maclean, this is one of the oldest inhabited castles in Scotland – the central keep was built in 1360. It was bought and restored in 1911 by Sir Fitzroy Maclean and has damp dungeons, vast halls and bathrooms equipped with ancient fittings. A bus to the castle meets the 9.50am, 11.55am and 2pm ferries from Oban to Craignure.
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Glengorm Castle
Just outside Tobermory a long, single-track road leads north for 4 miles to majestic Glengorm Castle with views across the sea to Ardnamurchan, Rum and the Outer Hebrides. The castle outbuildings house an art gallery featuring the work of local artists, a farm shop selling local produce, and an excellent coffee shop. The castle itself is not open to the public, but you’re free to explore the beautiful castle grounds.
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Inveraray Castle
Inveraray Castle has been the seat of the Dukes of Argyll – chiefs of Clan Campbell – since the 15th century. The 18th-century building, with its fairytale turrets and fake battlements, houses an impressive armoury hall, its walls patterned with a collection of more than 1000 pole arms, dirks, muskets and Lochaber axes. The castle is 500m north of town, entered from the A819 Dalmally road.
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Kilmartin House Museum
The Kilmartin House Museum, in Kilmartin village, is a fascinating interpretive centre that provides a context for the ancient monuments you can go on to explore, alongside displays of artefacts recovered from various sites. The project was partly funded by midges – the curator exposed his body in Temple Wood on a warm summer’s evening and was sponsored per midge bite!
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Old Byre Heritage Centre
The Old Byre Heritage Centre brings Mull’s heritage and natural history to life through a series of tableaux and half-hour film shows. The prize for most bizarre exhibit goes to the 40cm-long model of a midge. The centre’s tearoom serves good, inexpensive snacks, including homemade soup and clootie dumpling, and there’s a kids’ outdoor play area.
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Burg
A highlight for trekkers is this 50-million-year-old fossil tree preserved in the basalt cliffs. A track leads from the car park at Tiroran to a house at Burg; the last 4km (2.5mi) to the tree is on a very rough coastal path. Nearby you can climb a metal ladder down to the beach at low tide. Allow six to seven hours for the strenuous 24km (14mi) round trip.
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Oban Rare Breeds Farm Park
The Oban Rare Breeds Farm Park is a favourite with children, who get to meet all kinds of animals at close quarters, including rabbits, goats, cows, deer and even llamas. The farm maintains rare breeds of domesticated animals, including Tamworth pigs, Shetland and Soay sheep and longhorn cattle; it is 2 miles east of the town centre.
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Inveraray Jail
Inveraray Jail is an award-winning, interactive tourist attraction where you can sit in on a trial, try out a cell, and discover the harsh torture meted out to unfortunate prisoners. The attention to detail – including a life-sized model of an inmate squatting on a 19th-century toilet – more than makes up for the sometimes tedious commentary.
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Jura House
The beautiful walled gardens of Jura House is at the southern end of the island. There’s a lovely walk from the gardens down to a tiny white-sand beach where, if you’re lucky, you might spot an otter. In summer a tea tent sells hot drinks, home baking, crafts and plants.
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Woodland Garden
The Woodland Garden at Colonsay House, 1.5 miles north of Scalasaig, is tucked in an unexpected fold of the landscape and is famous for its outstanding collection of hybrid rhododendrons and unusual trees. The formal walled garden around the mansion has a terrace cafe.
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Dunollie Castle
A pleasant 1-mile stroll north along the coast road beyond Corran Esplanade leads to Dunollie Castle, built by the MacDougalls of Lorn in the 13th century and unsuccessfully besieged for a year during the 1715 Jacobite rebellion. It’s always open but very much a ruin.
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Torosay Castle & Gardens
Torosay Castle & Gardens is a rambling Victorian mansion in the Scottish Baronial style, stuffed with antique furniture, family portraits and hunting trophies. You’re left to wander at will: a sign advises, ‘Take your time but not our spoons.’
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Oban Distillery
This distillery has been producing Oban single-malt whisky since 1794. There are guided tours available (last tour begins one hour before closing time), but even without a tour, it’s still worth a look at the small exhibition in the foyer.
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Ross of Mull Historical Centre
The little village of Bunessan is home to the Ross of Mull Historical Centre, a cottage museum that houses displays on local history, geology, archaeology, genealogy and wildlife.
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Feolin Study Centre
The Feolin Study Centre, just south of the ferry slip at Feolin, has a small exhibition on Jura’s history and provides information on all aspects of the island’s history, culture and wildlife.
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Isle of Jura Distillery
Apart from the superb wilderness walking and wildlife-watching, there’s not a whole lot to do on the island of Jura except for visiting the Isle of Jura Distillery.
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War & Peace Museum
Military buffs will enjoy the little War & Peace Museum, which chronicles Oban’s role in WWII as a base for Catalina seaplanes and as a marshalling area for Atlantic convoys.
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Pulpit Hill
An excellent viewpoint to the south of Oban Bay; the footpath to the summit starts to the right of Maridon House B&B on Dunuaran Rd.
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Columba Centre
The Columba Centre has displays about the life of St Columba, the Celts and the history of Iona.
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Ganavan Sands
Sandy, bucket-and-spade beach; 2.5 miles north of Oban along Corran Esplanade.
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