Tralee Beach, Benderloch

Here at Airdeny we're spoilt for choice with beautiful walks in the area.  From peaceful forest circuits to a stroll along the shores of Loch Etive there are a number of picturesque places to soak up some stunning Argyll scenery.  For a relaxing beach walk, head north over the Connel Bridge to the village of Benderloch, nestled beside Ardmucknish Bay.  Make sure you combine your walk with a coffee or lunch at the lovely Ben Lora Cafe and Bookshop (the scones are delicious!).

From the cafe it is a short walk to the beach along a signposted path.

This pretty beach offers scenic views across the bay towards Dunstaffnage and is a quiet place in which to bask in the coastal scenery.  From the Benderloch direction you arrive at the shingle part of the beach, with sand dunes at the other end of its crescent.  

As it's tucked away from the roadside, this beach is a little hidden gem - well worth a visit on a journey along the A828 or a short trip from your base at Airdeny Chalets. 

Castle Stalker View & Wildlife Hub

Perched on an islet where Loch Laich reaches out to Loch Linnhe, Castle Stalker is oh-so-picturesque.  Wrapped in layers of history as well as tranquil surroundings, this 15th century tower house has its origins in a 14th century fort built by the Macdougall clan.  King James IV used the castle as his base during hunting trips in the area around the end of the 15th century, and it spent much of its history in the hands of the Stewarts of Appin, until a drunken episode in 1620 with the Campbells when the Stewart Chief exchanged it for a boat (!).  The castle was abandoned by the Campbells in 1800.

Today it is owned privately but there are limited tours in the summer.

The perfect place to bask in the castle views, with Loch Linnhe spilling out behind it, is at Castle Stalker View.  With a lovely shop and cafe, it is a great place to enjoy a spot of lunch, or home-baking and a coffee during a journey break along the coast, or to immerse yourself in the panoramic views unfolding from the viewpoint, a short walk from the cafe.

Now as well as enjoying the castle views and the delicious offerings of the cafe, you can also get an insight into wildlife in Appin and Argyll at the brand new Wildlife Hub, in partnership with Philip Price of Loch Visions photography.  The Hub has live nest cams on Sea Eagles, Barn Owls and Herons, and there is also a 20 minute wildlife film in a mini-IMAX theatre that highlights the area's wonderful wildlife.

Photo courtesy of Philip Price

Castle Stalker lies 25 miles north of Oban and around 20 miles from Taynuilt.

Ardchattan Priory and Gardens

It's easy to see why monks would pick this peaceful loch-side setting for the site of a priory.  Tucked into the northern shores of Loch Etive, Ardchattan Priory basks in scenic views and offers tranquil surroundings in which to wander, with beautiful gardens and thirteenth century priory ruins to explore.

Founded in 1230 (originally just a small church with some domestic buildings) and rebuilt in the 15th century, the priory became the property of Archibald Campbell in 1602 and has remained with Clan Campell ever since.  The priory ruins and tomb stones are now in the care of Historic Scotland.

Even the journey to the priory is peaceful, snaking alongside Loch Etive.  (From the Taynuilt direction, take a right when you cross Connel Bridge and follow the quiet road as it hugs the shoreline).  

From the car park you can loop round in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction: clockwise takes you past the wild garden and shrubs before reaching the chapel ruins; anti-clockwise leads you along the Monk's Walk (stunning in spring time with the azaleas and rhododendrons) and through the main garden.  Here you can enjoy beautiful views of Loch Etive (with the private house standing behind you) and take a moment just to appreciate its idyllic setting.  The priory ruins lie on the other side of a grey door in the top right hand corner of the main garden.  

There is a lot to see in a small space - from the chapel ruins to carved stones.  The priory grounds were used as a burial ground until 1906 and the scattered gravestones skull and crossbones on the chapel walls do add a haunting feel to the crumbled ruins.

Whether you want to admire the gardens or take a closer look at the stones and ruins, Ardchattan Priory is an atmospheric, and extremely peaceful, place to visit - and you will most likely be able to enjoy its contemplative silence to yourself.

For more information on the gardens and visiting, take a look at www.ardchattan.co.uk.