Easter 2016 – Corran.                                                                                                                    Click for printable version

This year Easter is an early one, with Easter Saturday on March 27th. I’ve reserved accommodation from Saturday 26th March to Saturday 2nd April 2016 in Ardgour / Corran immediately over the Corran Ferry from the Fort William road north of the Balachulish bridge. Please note that this is the traditional Easter week (i.e. it is the week including Easter Sunday).   The ferry is fairly expensive at £8 per car+ passengers, per crossing (no return tickets, no prebooking). An alternative route to Fort William is up the west side of Loch Linnhe to Glenfinnan which adds about 25 miles to the journey (probably 30 minutes net). There is however lots to do without leaving the west side of Linnhe. The accommodation this year is in three houses.  I estimate the cost to be between £205 and £245 per person for the week depending on how numbers fit the houses. As usual I have paid out deposits to secure these houses and I will need to pay the balances before February 15th 2016 I need confirmation of numbers as soon as possible since I am concerned that if numbers fall short of my guess, I may need to release one of the houses.

 

 

     

 

Mountains and other Walks

Mountains

.Low Level Walks & Cycles

Ardnamurchan Point - Bay MacNeil Beach	Ardnamurchan Peninsula	Morvern Peninsula (walks & cycle trails)
The beach is fabulous with white sands and clear turquoise seas, with an abundance of shells on the strand line. (1½ miles there and back) http://www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/walking/bay-macneil-beach	There are many coastal walks possible from Portuairk (where there is parking) or from the road to Sanna. The link below includes a deserted village and views of a volcanic ring dyke and caldera http://www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/walking/glendrian-and-port-eigin-aig	The Morvern peninsular lies a few miles south of the house and of Loch Sunart.  There are lovely walks from Savary or Kinlochaline including cycle trails and also from the small road leading to the remote Loch Teacuis. http://www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan-walks

Tourism and Relaxation

Mull & Iona	Boat trip – Staffa & Fingals Cave Wildlife Tour	Boat trip – Loch Shiel
A Calmac ferry runs every day from Kilchoan on Morvern except Sunday to Tobermory with the winter timetable showing crossings starting at 8am.(£16.80 + £5.30 per passenger, return). A drive to Iona takes about 1 hour.	Departs from Kilchoan (or alternatively Tobermory). The trip lasts 5 hours. Possible sightings of White Tailed Eagles with 1 hour on Staffa at the cave. £45 per head. (I’ve called to check they will be running) https://staffatours.rezdy.com/54826/staffa-fingals-cave-wildlife-tour	A guided boat trip from Glenfinnan down remote Loch Shiel may be a possibility if Loch Shiel Cruises have their boat ready after the annual government survey. We would need to call whilst there. http://highlandcruises.co.uk/timetable.htm

 

Aonoch Mor Gondola	Train to Mallaig
Running all week. Takes you to 2100ft on the side of the mountain and the Pinemarten café.. There are two short trails leading to view points (one is in the picture). (Adults £12.50, ancient ones £11.00 return)	Jacobite steam is not running at Easter but the normal service train follows the wonderfully scenic route to Mallaig from Fort William or Glenfinnan station. Outward 08:30/12:12 Inward 16:05.  £14.20 return

Accommodation

Ardgour House

This magnificent Georgian building is located in more than 6 acres of wonderful parkland and with mountains and sea very close by. Ardgour House comfortably sleeps 22 people and there is plenty of public space as well with spacious sitting room, dining room for 22, billiard room and chidren’s play room to spread out. Perhaps the ‘piece de resistance’ is the fantastic indoor swimming pool. There is also a sauna, so there is much fun to be had for young and old in this great house no matter what the weather.

The house nestles under the magnificent mountains of the Ardgour Peninsula and is perfectly located to allow you to explore the wild landscape of Scotland and its lochs and the shortest route to the house is over the Coran Ferry crossing Loch Linney  (approximately a five minute crossing).   The house, with wheelchair access, is superb for family gatherings and parties providing substantial accommodation so that you are not living on top of each other.

Special features of the house are the billiard room with full sized snooker table together with the indoor swimming pool (5m x 10m) together with sauna.   The house is large enough to also accommodate a games room with full sized table tennis table   The large dining room provides seating for twenty two guests and is perfect for those special occasions.   The house is suitable for those with limited mobility as there is a twin bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor.   The house retains its character in being the former seat of the MacLeans and there are many pictures and also a family tree in the study of the house.   The house is furnished to match its character and proves to be popular with those who visit it though it is not a luxurious house but rather provides clean, comfortable but modestly furnished and spacious rooms.

Ardgour has a great history - former seat of the MacLeans the history can be traced back for 600 years and many family paintings remain today. There are still many original features in the house – wonderful wooden doors, stone flagged corridors and wonderful shuttered windows for example.

Rooms

Ground Floor:

Entrance hall, Drawing room with open fire, billiard room with full sized snooker room. Cloakroom with wc. Heated indoor swimming pool 10x5 metres. Sauna. Playroom with table tennis. Dining room. Twin bedroom. Bathroom with bath, wc and whb. Spacious kitchen with Aga, 2 electric cookers and 2 dishwashers and breakfast table for 8. Utility room.

First Floor:
Large drawing room with open fire. 3 Double bedrooms with 4 poster. and Two twin bedrooms. Bathroom with bath, shower over, wc and whb. Bathroom with bath and separate shower, wc and whb. Bathroom with bath, wc & whb.

Second Floor

Two double bedrooms and three twin bedrooms. Shower room. Bathroom with bath and shower over, wc and whb.

Equipment

Electric cooker and Aga; Washing machine and Drier; Dishwasher; Fridge and Freezer; Microwave; Good Mobile reception; TV with DVD Player; Ipod Dock & CD Player; 

Outside
6 acres of unenclosed garden;; Patio with furniture and BBQ; Garage and parking

Included

Central Heating & electricity
Linen and towels provided

Dogs
£20.00 charge per Week per Pet

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Allt an Ailein House

This modern purpose built holiday house has a lovely secluded location set within 6 acres of Ardgour parkland. The surroundings are beautiful and enjoy their own 3 acres of ground where you have every chance of seeing wildlife such as deer, badgers and pine martens.

The house is beautifully presented and designed to ensure you have a great holiday no matter what your age and no matter what the weather. The swimming pool is a delight – accessed from the house you have your own heated indoor pool as well as a sauna and spa pool. There is also a games room complete with pool table. The furnishings are modern and stylish and there is a lovely garden area and beautiful trees around you. There are two small lochs on the estate where you are free to fish for brown trout,.

 

There is a sofabed in the games room and an additional child can be accommodated on a pull out bed in a twin room.

Rooms

Ground Floor:

Sitting Entrance hall. Sitting room with open fire. Games room, dining area, kitchen. Shower room, pool room with indoor heated pool 8mx4m. Spa pool and sauna.

First Floor:

Two double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms with bath, shower over, wc, bidets and whb. Two twin bedrooms with en suite shower rooms wc, bidet and whb, one with pull out mattress for an additional child.

Equipment

Washing Machine & Drier;  Dishwasher; Fridge and Freezer; 5-ring Electric cooker; Microwave; Coffee maker; TV with DVD player; Ipod Dock & CD Player;

Good Mobile reception.

Outside
Unfenced garden; Patio with furniture and BBQ; Garage and parking

Included

Heating & electricity
Linen and towels provided

Open fire – no fuel provided

Dogs
£20.00 charge per Week per Pet

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Lighthouse Lodge

The Lodge is converted from the original lighthouse keepers' cottages into luxurious self catering holiday accommodation providing 5 double or twin en-suite bedrooms, a large elegant lounge with wood burning stove and a charming country kitchen.  Rooms are spacious, light and airy. The large private walled garden is perfect for barbecues and has direct access to the beach.  There are excellent amenities in the village of Ardgour and nearby Fort William.

A working Lighthouse, Corran Lighthouse was built in 1860 by Thomas and David Stevenson, father and uncle to Robert Louis Stevenson. The Lighthouse is still working, albeit without the fog horn and is operated by the Northern Lighthouse Board.

	Utility room

Rooms

One of the downstairs bedrooms is a double while the four other bedrooms can be configured as super kingsize or twin beds.

Ground Floor:

Lliving room, with fabulous views down Loch Linnhe.  Kitchen.Dining room which seats 10. Utility room at the entrance to the property with an American fridge freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer with plenty of room to store walking boots and coats. Two bedrooms, one with en-suite shower and one with en-suite bath

First Floor:

Three bedrooms all with en-suite showers. A small reading room

Equipment

Four-ring oil Aga, electric cooker and oven, American fridge freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer

Outside
Enclosed garden + Garden furniture

Included

Welcome hamper

Linen and towels provided

Log burning stove- logs and coal available (may need to purchase)

Dogs
Not permitted

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Eating Together

Unfortunately the Ardgour estate is not happy for insurance reason, for us to eat as a large group in either of their lodges. I suggest that we divide everyone between these two lodges and mix up the gathering each evening (ie some of us resident in each lodge eat in the other one each evening). The Ardgour lodges are about 100yds apart.

Cost Estimate

I estimate the cost per head for the week will be: (numbers except accommodation cost are based on analysis of the 2014 bill)

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

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Deposits Please

Please send deposits of £220 per person as soon as you feel able. See the separate email for sort code and account number in case you wish to use e-banking.

I have paid a total in deposits of £2056. The balance of £5444 (plus breakage deposits) follows in February so I’m looking for a commitment as soon as you can, and sufficient deposits to mostly cover the house bookings.