In a remote place of quiet tranquility and almost surreal natural beauty, where the slopes of Ben Cruachan fall into the clear waters of Loch Awe, there is a small, luxurious and wildly romantic old country house hotel. It sits alone overlooking the mysterious islands and crannogs of the loch, in deeply wooded gardens teeming with wildlife.
Ardanaiseig sits on a peninsula jutting out into Loch Awe, Scotland's longest fresh water loch and was built in the Scottish Baronial manner for Colonel Archibald Campbell of Clan Campbell in 1834. It was designed by William Burn and is listed for its architectural importance. Burn's other work includes Bowhill for the Duke of Buccleuch and a number of Edinburgh's finest 19th Century buildings.
The entrance hall boasts some fine pieces of antique furniture and works of art. It is very much the original entrance hall of a traditional country house. Other public rooms include the library, with its roaring log fire, the long drawing room where chamber music and piano recitals are sometimes performed, and the games room with its full size snooker table. A magical 120 seat amphitheatre nestles into the hillside by the water's edge.
The restaurant, which overlooks the lawns running down to the loch, is one of the best in the Highlands. The Dining Room with its fine paintings, generously spaced tables and soft acoustics invites intimate conversation. The linen is crisp, the silver glints, the crystal sparkles in the candlelight and the service is well judged. After dinner, there is usually a log fire and the evocative smell of wood smoke in the bar library.
Évaluation des hôtes8.7
Nombre de chambres:16
Catégorie officielle: 4 stars.
Année d' inauguration ou dernière rénovation: 1834/1980.
Dates de fermeture de l'hôtel: From Jan.2 to Feb.17
Langues: English, French.
Aèroport plus prochain: Glasgow - 90 mi.
Installations: Ardanaiseig
Animaux domestiques permis
Enfants bienvenues
Parking
Restaurant
Tennis, paddle ou squash
Transfert aèroport
Blanchisserie
Babysitters
Télévision Satellite
Sèche-cheveux
Golf 10 mi.
Ski 1 hr. and 30 mn.
Description des chambres: Ardanaiseig
Each of the 16 bedrooms has been furnished with beautiful antiques and works of art. They are named after local mountains, glens, lochs and castle.
Précisions et informations supplémentaries: Ardanaiseig
All rooms have heating. there is an open air theatre: See webiste for more details
Activities:Walking: there are hundreds of miles of wonderful hill, forest and lochside walks beginning on the doorstep. There are eleven other Munroes (peaks over 3000 ft) within an hours drive. Maps and rucksacks are freely available. Picnics, mountain bikes and horses can be arranged.
Boating and fishing: the hotel has a private island and you can hire boats to visit it across the loch.
There are also boats for fishing, sailing or simply exploring the many islands, crannogs, ruined castles and holy places of Loch Awe, including Ardanaiseig's private island, Eilean a Chomlraidh.
Fishing tackle is available and there is a small trout lochan for fly casting. Salmon, pike, trout, char and perch abound.
The Grand Tour: Ardanaiseig is an excellent staging post for touring the Highlands and Islands. Loch Ness, the victorian port of Oban with its regular ferries to Skye, Mull, Iona and the Outer Islands, and Loch Lomond are all within easy reach. In winter when the snow is good, there is skiing at Glen Coe and Ben Nevis.
Kilchurn Castle:
On a clear day, Kilchurn Castle can be seen from the jetty at Ardanaiseig. It is the original castle of the Glenurchy and Breadalbane Campbells.
Tennis, Snooker, Clay Pigeon Shooting,...
There is a newly resurfaced hard tennis court in a woodland clearing and a clay pigeon shoot close by. Gliding and horse riding can be arranged. There is a full sized billiard table in the games room.
Afternoon tea can be served on the croquet lawn. The implements for this apparently dignified but actually most vicious of games are available on request.
Zone fumeurs: Smoking outside only.
Cartes de crédit acceptées: All major credit cards.
Jours de fermeture du restaurant: Open for breakfast from 8:00am. to 10:00am.; light lunch from 12:00pm. to 2:00pm.; dinner from 7:00pm. to 9:00pm.
Coordonnées GPS: 56° 22' 38.6436'' N -5° 5' 49.092'' W
Reservations should be confirmed by email, fax or letter together with a deposit of £50 per person by cheque or credit card. Dinner, a five course Gourmet menu, is £50 per person.
Single supplement charge of £30 per night. Reduced rates for children.
Guests are respectfully reminded that a confirmed reservation constitutes a binding contract. Due to the geographical position of the hotel, we reserve the right to charge in full for any cancellation unless 21 days notice in writing is given or the accommodation is re-let.
Bed and Breakfast: 1 - 2 nights. Prices are per person per night and include Full Scottish Breakfast and VAT. Special rates apply for holidays. A £15 charge for dogs.