Easter 2012 – Dunoon, Isle of Bute and Ardgar.
This year Easter is neither early nor late with Easter Saturday on April 7th this means that we will avoid the clash with Bank Holidays that occurred last year.
As revealed last Easter, in 2012 we have a large castle on the outskirts of Dunoon which I hope is large enough to accommodate everybody for both sleeping and eating. It has some additional features which I hope you won’t expect every year in future!
Last May I paid out a significant sum as a deposit to secure these houses and we will need to pay the balance in February 2011
So PLEASE let me have a firm commitment with a deposit of £185 per person as soon as possible
I’ve reserved the accommodation from Saturday 7th April to Saturday 14th April 2012. Please note that this is the traditional Easter week (i.e. it is the week including Easter Sunday).
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Castle on the Loch (Hafton House) |
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Lochcarron shore near Seabank Cottage |
Lochcarron shore with Tor Fionn Cottage |
Lochcarron Harbour |
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Click to go directly to any section |
Mountains and other Walks
Mountains
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Arrochar Alps – The Brack, Ben Ime, Cobbler, Ben Narnain The peaks of the Arrochar Alps are near the pass of Rest and be Thankful about ¾ hr drive from Dunoon. They include the Munros of Ben Ime, Narnain, and Vane as well as Ben Volich which is more easily accessed from the Loch Lomond side. Not far away is Beinn Bhuidhe a fine, quieter Munro that is slightly more remote up Glen Fyne. The area around the pass has several Corbetts including The Brack, Binnein an Fhidhleir, Beinn an Lochain, Ben Donich and of course the famous Cobbler |
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Ben Arthur – The Cobbler This fascinating Corbett has three summits. To the right “The Anvil” is a simple walk though it’s summit has a somewhat airy aspect. In the centre “The Cobbler” is the highest point and despite his imposing appearance he reveals a secret soft side! His wife “Jean” on the left though smaller in stature can prove rather more difficult. |
Ben Lui It’s about 70 miles to Crianlarich from Dunoon but there are many fine, high hills to select from (Munros and Corbetts). Ben Lui is one of the best. An interesting and perhaps challenging approach would be from near Rest and be Thankful, up Glen Fyne, first traversing Beinn a’ Chleibh and to arrange a lift back from Glen Lochy. |
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The Brack Ben Donich from the Lochgoil road The Brack is known to climbers for its collection of mountaineering routes, both summer and winter. Climbs range from moderate to E6 Linking it with Ben Donich offers a fine high-level circuit |
Beinn Bheula Offers a long ridge walk just north of Dunoon on Loch Eck. And also the chance of a bit of wreck hunting from 1940! |
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Low Level Walks & Cycles
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European Beaver A
half-hour ferry ride
from Port Vadie 30 miles west of Dunnoon takesyou onto the Kintyre
Peninsular. A little north near Lochgilphead in Slapdale is the
Scottish Beaver trial. The walks, picnic sites and cycle routes within
Knapdale are situated close together and are designed to allow access
to a variety of habitats and to provide interest and enjoyment to all
those who use them.
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Glen Branter Cycling and Walking trails At the head of Loch Eck .are a range of forestry cycling and walking trails in Glenbranter (home of Harry Lauder) There is also a permanent orienteering course. |
Forest Walks around Dunoon There are range of walks varying from 2 to 17 miles in the forests above Dunoon. The Chinese Ponds walk pictured above sounds attractive.
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Tourism and Relaxation
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Waverley WAVERLEY is the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world and normally calls regularly at Dunoon pier on day excursions. She is owned and run by a charity which this year needs more funds for her winter refit. Click for details and timetables when available. (advanced booing may be advisable). |
Pony Trekking You can choose from shoreline gallops along wide, deserted beaches on the coast to shady forest trails through the Argyll Forest Park. Velvet Path trekking and riding centre in Innellen near Dunoon offers beach and forest rides for experienced riders and pony trekking for beginners, riding courses and trail riding. Lunga Riding Stables at Lochgilphead make a similar offer. A number of smaller outfits are listed here |
Benmore Botanic Garden is a large botanic garden situated between Dunoon and Loch Eck. It has a large square walled garden, a waterfall, a newly refurbished fernery, ponds and walks up the hillside to where you can look out across the Holy Loch. A cafe can be found at the entrance as well as a shop |
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Inveraray Castler and gardens
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Mount Stewart House and gardens, Bute The Isle of Bute is accessed by a short ferry at Countraive not far from Dunoon. and has a several attractive gardens. Mount Stewart House is Britain's most astounding Victorian gothic mansion. It also has extensive gardens. |
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Accommodation
Castle on the Loch is a magnificent building with views across the sea, set in it own delightful gardens and perhaps the star of the show – it has its own a magnificent indoor swimming pool. This is a house seemingly designed for enjoyment, with the wonderful heated pool, large billiard room, toy room, big conservatory, outdoor play area and plenty of public space so it will easily cope with the large numbers it sleeps. When you realise that the front hall has space for an open fire, seating area and a grand piano, you begin to understand the scale of this house. Built by James Hunter, Castle on the Loch had the same architect as nearby Dunoon Castle (David Hamilton).
The bedrooms are all very comfortable and modestly rather than luxuriously furnished but all have en suite shower rooms which is a welcome facility in a large house such as this. You will love the magnificent ceilings, carved doors and stunning staircase in this lovely house and children will enjoy exploring the many corridors, stairs and levels throughout the house. The public rooms are spacious and numerous. The large drawing room even has a bar and the double doors to the small drawing room can be opened to provide one very large room, perfect for large gatherings. With its many public areas, Castle on the Loch suits large parties perfectly as there are areas to find peace and quiet as well as places to enjoy gathering.
Outside there are lawns and beautiful trees and delightful views across to the seas as well as a lovely patio area.
Accommodation: 19 bedrooms all with en-suite shower –
(12 double-bedded, 6 twin-bedded and 1 single)
Rooms
Ground Floor: The grand reception hall, small drawing room with beautiful views across to the sea which opens onto the large drawing room with bar area, library, dining room, conservatory which leads to the garden via french doors, billiard room, large heated indoor swimming pool in its own room. Play Room. Double bedroom with en-suite shower room, wc and whb. Double bedroom with additional single bed and en-suite shower room with wc and whb. Large fully equipped catering kitchen. Laundry room in basement. Ladies and Gentlemens toilets.
First Floor: One double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with bath, shower, wc and whb. 6 double bedrooms all with en-suite shower, wc and whb, 3 twin-bedded rooms all with en-suite shower, wc and whb. Two double bedrooms with additional single and en-suite showers, wc and whb. One double with two additional single beds, en-suite shower with wc and whb, and one single bedroom with shower, wc and whb
Second Floor: 3 twin-bedded rooms with en-suite shower rooms, wc and whb
Included
Linen and towels provided (please bring towels for the pool). Gas heating and electricity by meter reading.Starter pack of Logs for woodburner included. Logs available to purchase from owner.
TVs, DVD. Fridges, freezers, dishwashers, range cooker, cooker.
Dogs
Dogs may are not allowed in either the house or the grounds due to concern over its use for weddings.
Eating Together
No problem this year (I hope!).
Cost Estimate
I estimate the cost per head for the week will be: (numbers except accommodation cost are based on analysis of the 2011 bill)
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Best |
Typical |
Worst |
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Accommodation per head inc heating etc: |
£170 |
£190 |
£215 |
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Food |
£65 |
£75 |
£85 |
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Alcohol (depending on consumption!) |
£0 |
£30 |
£60 |
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Morning coffee / lunch out / Afternoon teas etc |
£0 |
£10 |
£50 |
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Tourism (e.g. Ferries, House/ Garden entry) |
£0 |
£20 |
£50 |
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Totals |
£ 235 |
£ 325 |
£ 460 |
(in 2010 Accommodation cost was £216, in 2011 it was £150, "Typical" 2012 accommodation cost is based on 36 in the castle, 40-43 bed places are available depending on room / bed sharing)
In addition to this there is the cost of transport i.e.:
Hire cars and their fuel
Fuel for private cars
Flights /trains etc to Scotland
Decisions and Deposits Please
I have paid a deposit of £1800 (quite a while ago!). The remainder follows in February so I’m looking for a commitment as soon as you can, and sufficient deposits to mostly cover the house booking.
Please send deposits of £185 per person as soon as you feel able (this is quite a lot so please send at least £100 now and the rest before the end of January) See the separate email for sort code and account number in case you wish to use e-banking.