Argyll's Glorious Gardens: Fifty Shades of May

Whether you're thinking about an Easter break or a May getaway, spring is a lovely time to visit Argyll.  The landscape is ablaze with colour, from carpets of bluebells to rhododendrons and azaleas, and the lengthening days gives you more daylight for exploring.  

Glorious Gardens of Argyll and Bute has organised the first Scottish Festival of Rhododendrons from 1st April to 31st May, where you can bask in the beauty of spring flowers as well as make the most of events such as guided garden walks, talks, demonstrations and Open Days.

Here are just some of the beautiful gardens in the area you could visit during your stay at Airdeny Chalets that are part of the Glorious Gardens of Argyll and Bute scheme - perfect for enjoying fifty shades of May...

Barguillean's Angus Garden 
Not far from Airdeny Chalets on the Glen Lonan road, you'll find Barguillean's Angus Garden - a nine acre woodland garden on the shores of Loch Angus which is well known for its many rhododendrons and azaleas.  It is a peaceful place to soak up the spring scenery, with three colour-coded walks around the gardens and a waterfowl sanctuary.

Ardchattan Priory Gardens
Nestled into the edge of Loch Etive and a short drive from Taynuilt via the Connel Bridge, Ardchattan Priory Gardens are well worth a visit.  As well as the beautiful garden to admire, you can take in the stunning views of Loch Etive and explore the 13th century priory ruins.  The loch-side setting and the colourful backdrop of azaleas, rhododendrons, shrubs and plants make it a tranquil place in which to wander.  There is a guided walk of the garden on 15th May.

An Cala 
The garden at An Cala, just outside the village of Ellenabeich on the Isle of Seil, was established in 1930 and is another gorgeous garden with lovely displays of azaleas and rhododendrons, as well as Japanese ornamental cherry trees.  The An Cala Open Day is on 15th May, from 2pm - 5pm.

Armaddy Castle Gardens
A visit to Armaddy Castle Gardens could be tied in with a trip to An Cala, as you also follow the B844 to the Isle of Seil but four miles after the turning you then continue on the Armaddy road.  Highlights include its Walled Garden (with unusual plants and shrubs), Clock Garden, woodland walk (complete with a huge hydrangea) and water gardens.  Join the owner for a guided walk on 1st May.

Arduaine
Run by the National Trust of Scotland, Arduaine is set in an idyllic coastal location about 20 miles south of Oban.  Explore the twenty acres of garden from its woodland to its water garden.  As well as its variety of rhododendrons, there are a wide number of trees and shrubs, bamboo and plants from around the world, such as Blue Tibetan poppies and giant Himalayn lillies.   The Open Day for the Rhododendron Festival is on 10th May and there are guided walks on 26th April and 17th May.

Inveraray Castle
As well as drinking in the impressive sight of Inveraray Castle, you can enjoy the spring colours in the the sixteen acres of Inveraray Castle Gardens - a lovely place to walk at any time of year.  Spring highlights include the rhododendrons and azaleas, as well as the daffodils at Easter and the bluebells in May.  Tour the castle itself or head to the tearoom before or after your garden walk.  As part of the Rhododendron Festival, you can join a walk with the Head Gardener on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th May.


And did you know that you can also enjoy the beauty of rhodendrons and azaleas in bloom, as well as a bluebell wood, here at the chalet park?  Take a look at our availability to book your spring getaway.

4 Ideas for Rainy Days

Hopefully you'll experience some lovely west coast sunshine during your stay at Airdeny but, as the weather in Scotland can be unpredictable, you may find yourself looking for ideas on where to spend a rainy afternoon.  These attractions are all worth a visit during your visit to the Taynuilt area, whatever the weather, and will certainly brighten up a wet or grey day!

Cruachan Hollow Mountain

A focal point in the scenery that surrounds the chalet park and a watch-guard over Taynuilt, Ben Cruachan has a towering presence in the area.  But did you know that it deep within the mountain you will find one of the country's most impressive feats of engineering?  Just a short drive from Taynuilt and on the shores of Loch Awe, you can visit Cruachan Hollow Mountain to learn more about this fascinating power station, hidden one kilometre beneath the ground.  Take a guided tour to explore the heart of this underground world (£7 for adults and £2.50 for children).  There is also a Visitor Centre with a free exhibition, a lochside cafe and a gift shop.    

Glencoe Visitor Centre

About an hour's drive from Taynuilt on the A828 or the A82 takes you to Glencoe, one of Scotland's most breathtaking glens.  The mountain scenery is hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric even on a grey day.  The National Trust's award-winning Glencoe Visitor Centre is a wonderful place to find out more about the area's history, landscape and wildlife, with an interactive exhibition, audiovisual presentations and information displays.  Children also receive an activity book to keep them busy.  There is a cafe where you can shelter from wet weather with a hot drink and home-baking, and a gift shop to browse.  

Inveraray Castle 

Inveraray is around a 40 minute car journey from Taynuilt, along the A85 and the A819, and has two fantastic attractions that you could explore on a rainy day.  Delve into the past with a tour of Inveraray Castle, the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of Clan Campbell.  As well as touring the beautiful rooms and discovering the castle's fascinating history, you can visit the gift shop and enjoy lunch or a snack in the castle's lovely tearoom, with its Scottish-sourced menu.

Inveraray Jail 

Children will love stepping back in time at Inveraray Jail, one of the world's best preserved jails and courtrooms.  With many interesting exhibitions, and warders and prisoners who bring the jail's history to life, you can discover what life would have been like for its prisoners.  Your visit will start by learning about the torture and punishment of prisoners, and you can then take a seat in the courtroom, before exploring the old and new prisons. 

Other good places to while away a rainy afternoon are the Scottish Sealife Sanctuary, Oban Distillery and the Oban War and Peace Museum.  

Or, of course, you could always simply curl up in your comfortable chalet with a good book or DVD! 

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

I hope that you had a happy Christmas and enjoy the New Year festivities.

Here at Airdeny Chalets we've enjoyed lovely blue skies and snow-capped mountain views over the past few days.  Guests at the chalet park woke up on Christmas morning to Ben Cruachan looking magnificent in its snowy blanket.

Today has been cold and frosty but absolutely breathtaking.  As the sun wearily rose from its frosty bed this morning, I soaked up the sparkling scenery with a short walk down the road.  The frozen landscape glittered in the low-hanging sunlight and Ben Cruachan looked spectacular wrapped in white.  Further down the road I could see wisps of cloud trailing above Loch Etive and the snowy hills topped off the beautiful winter wonderland scenery.

Later on I drove down to the shores of Loch Etive and took a few photographs of the loch in the midday sun.  Stunning scenery and some winter sunshine - what more could you ask for?

If you're thinking about your 2015 holiday, why not make Airdeny Chalets your base for a relaxing west coast getaway - and enjoy the beautiful landscapes for yourself.