28 MARCH 2015
LOCHGOILHEADHOLIDAYS.COM
Introducing
Lochgoilhead
INFORMATION TO
HELP YOU PLAN
YOUR STAY
GET AFLOAT
GUIDE
17 OPTIONS
WALKING GUIDE
LOCAL WALKS
ORDER ONLINE
EATING OUT
IN THE AREA
21 FEATURED
LOCHGOILHEAD
Welcome
If you are new to Lochgoilhead it makes sense you are going to have some
questions. I have been answering visitor queries for 25+ years such as:
What is there is to do once I get here, what are the best walks, where can I
buy my groceries and where can I have a nice meal? This guide is a mix of
practical information and my own comments. Not your standard travel
guide, more of a personal guide. I hope you find it helpful.
Leonard Gow, Lochgoilhead Holidays
”Ideally located
to explore other
parts of
Scotland on a
day trip.”
Ivybank Cottage
Trip Advisor
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Introduction Absolutely no doubt that your first visit to Lochgoilhead will be a memorable one. When you turn
off the A83 at the Rest and be Thankful viewpoint and follow the six mile single track road as it
twists and turns its way down through beautiful mountain scenery to the head of Loch Goil, you
will already know that this place is pretty special.
Lochgoilhead has been welcoming visits for many years. The well-to-do Glasgow merchants built
their holiday homes overlooking the loch. They used to arrive by steamer. Loch Goil is a tidal sea
loch with access from Loch Long and the Clyde.
Today the village is still an active community, with a mix of residents and holiday home owners.
The combination of easy access from Glasgow and its relaxing atmosphere being tucked away at
the head of the loch, choice of places to eat, wonderful walking and a superb range of indoor and
outdoor activities, make it unique in the west of Scotland.
It is perfectly possible to come and do nothing apart from enjoying the views. If you feel up to it
you can take the dog for a walk along the shoreline, enjoy a drink on the patio of The Goil Inn or
in the garden of the Shore House Inn, have a swim, sauna & steam at the Drimsynie Leisure
Centre and finish of with a Friday evening acoustic night in one of the pubs.
When you are ready for venturing outside the glen, there is touring to some of Scotland's most
iconic spots. Take a cruise on Loch Lomond, visit spectacular Glencoe, have a stroll around Oban
and take in the view of Mull from McCaig’s Tower.
Come and visit us and find out for yourself what makes this place so special. Read more
For the full story of Loch Goil there is an excellent publication: Loch Goil - ‘A Slice out of
Paradise’ which is available online here.
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Other info Through Lochgoilhead Holidays you can choose to stay in the village or in one of the privately
owned holiday lodges on the Drimsynie Estate. The holiday park and village are a mile apart.
There is a pleasant walk on a path around the head of the loch that joins the two.
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Practical Information Mini Market
Weather
Costcutter's is on the Drimsynie Estate by the
Holiday Home Sales Ground. Summer – April
to October 8am to 8pm every day.
This is the west of Scotland. We are blessed
with a certain amount of moisture. It fills the
waterfalls and keeps everything green. That
only adds to the scenery. Dress for the time of
year and enjoy what the day brings.
Winter – November to March Monday to
Summer - Saturday – 8am to 5.30pm. Sunday – 9am to 4pm
Times can vary – Phone: 01301 703826
Post Office & General
Provisions
In the village. Phone: 01301 703201
Self Service Laundry
Next to the Costcutter Store
Petrol Stations
There is no petrol station in the village. Please
make sure you have enough fuel when
entering the glen. Nearest petrol stations are:
Arrochar – on the way to Glasgow – 13 miles
Strachur – on the way to Dunoon – 14 miles
Inveraray on the way to Oban – 21 miles
Doctor’s Surgery
There is a Medical Centre in the village.
Bank
There is a cash-link machine at the reception
of the Drimsynie Leisure Centre. There is a
charge to use this facility. RBS have a mobile
bank at the village car park 10.30am Thursday
Winter
A comment question is what happens in the
winter if the road is blocked. There are two
access roads to the village. On the rare
occasion that the high road access is closed
you are directed round to the Hell’s Glen road.
People commute to work in and out the
village. If you are visiting in the winter then
check the weather forecast but you would be
very unlucky if your trip was delayed due to
weather. On the plus side there is usually a bit
of snow on the top of the hills just to remind
you that it is still winter.
Tips on driving on Single Track
Roads
There is a single track road leading to Loch
Goil. Remember that vehicles approaching
one another should adjust their speed so as to
meet at a passing place. That way neither
waits for the other, and both proceed at best
speed. Bear in mind that if the passing place is
on the right and you reach it first, stop on the
left side of the road opposite the passing
place. The general rule is that traffic going
downhill gives way to traffic going uphill. Be
considerate and pull over to let people pass.
Take your time and enjoy the scenery. !4
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Travel Times by Car
Catch a Train
✓Erskine Bridge - 1 hour
Arrochar & Tarbet has an un-manned
train station 12 miles from Lochgoilhead.
Trains from Glasgow including the
overnight sleeper service to and from
London. Timetables on NATIONAL RAIL
ENQUIRIES
✓Glasgow Centre - 1 hour 20 min
✓Oban - 1 hour 25 min
✓Edinburgh Centre - 2 hours 15 min
✓London - 8 hours 15 min
Arrive by Bus
Airports
Arrive by bus from Helensburgh or
Dunoon to the middle of the village. The
Dunoon bus also goes to the entrance to
the Drimsynie Estate and to Carrick
Castle. Timetable can be checked online at
TRAVELINE
✓Glasgow - 1 hour 15 min
✓Prestwick - 1 hour 50 min
✓Edinburgh - 2 hours
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Leisure in Lochgoilhead
There are 2 online Guides listing the varied options on offer. Check
the Activities Guide for all Guests if you are in the village. If you
are staying in one o the private lodges at Drimsynie then have a
look at Activities Guide for Drimsynie Guests
Drimsynie Leisure Centre
Tel: 01301 703247
As a village we are indeed fortunate to have an excellent all year
leisure centre 1 mile away on the Drimsynie Estate. 25m
swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room, golf, bowling, indoor
play area. Open on a pay-as-you-go basis. Special leisure passes for
guests staying in the private lodges on the holiday park.
Other Activities
Hire a boat, join Ian on his Argyll Voyageur and explore Loch Goil,
or contact the Lochgoilhead Activity Centre who offer a range of
water and land based activities. The village bowling green, tennis
court multi-court welcome visitors. Get the walking shoes and
boots on and head off on one of the local marked walks. If you are
part of a group there are a number of fun activities which can be
part of a programme of events and looking suggestions.
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The Rob Roy Lounge at the
Drimsynie Leisure Centre
Tel: 01301 703247
One of 4 places to eat in Lochgoilhead. The Rob Roy Lounge offers
family dining at the local Leisure Centre. Open for breakfast, lunch
and dinner they have a children's, take away and a regular menu. If
you are visiting the swimming pool as a day visitor there is a food
element to the entrance price. Plan to have a bite to eat, or at least
visit the coffee shop to get the full value of your ticket.
La Rustica at the Drimsynie House Hotel
Tel: 01301 703344
New in 2015 - La Rustica is a Pizza Pasta Grill restaurant located
upstairs in the original building at the Drimsynie House Hotel.
This is a quieter dining experience than the Rob Roy Lounge. It is
tucked away so unless you know it is there you are not likely to
come across it. Open Wednesday to Sunday 5pm to 9pm.
Reservations recommended.
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The Shore House Inn Bar & Restaurant
in Lochgoilhead
Tel: 01301 703340
Tucked way in a wonderful setting at the head of Loch Goil, many
people only stumble across the Shore House later in their stay.
Don’t make that mistake. Walk to it via the Village Green, or if you
are staying at Drimsynie, walk over the footbridge and follow the
path round the head of the loch. You can drive in from the entrance
to the village, the road is rough and can be pot-holed, but it is
worth it. The owners, Mark & Gillian, are there to welcome you
into their loch view dining room. Mark is an architect and
restaurateur. He designed and built the dining room around an
open plan kitchen with a wood fired pizza oven. Offers take away
wood-fired pizza. Can be busy - best to book ahead. Closed Monday
& Tuesday.
The Goil Inn in Lochgoilhead
Tel: 01301 703247
You can't miss it. Drive into the village and there it is. Ample off
road parking. It has the look of an old coaching inn from the
outside but when you walk through the doors, think wine-bar. The
food offering is pub grub in either the bar area or a dining room
which has a pool table and sports TV, so I would not really call it a
restaurant. There is an outside patio area with picnic tables which
makes the most of the beautiful view down Loch Goil. Friday
nights there is a lounge entertainer or an acoustic night. Essentially
it is the village pub. If you would like to meet some locals, this is
the place. Some are friendly. !8
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The Goil Inn
Friday nights throughout the year there is either a lounge entertainer or an acoustic night.
Entertainment nights kick-off after 9 and the acoustic night start closer to 10pm.
The Drimsynie Estate
Entertainment is an important part of what the holiday park offers. During the busy holidays
there will be something on each night ranging from bingo, quiz nights to live acts.
The Shore House Inn
Not advertised but Friday night there are usually some locals playing in the bar. Very informal
and very much a turn-up-and-see what happens. The Shore House Inn has a small bar and with
the right mix of visitors and music, it has always the potential to turn into a great night.
For the youngsters
The youngsters are well catered for at the Drimsynie Estate. Rusty the Squirrel comes out to join
in the special kiddies discos. There is a youngsters entertainment programme which is a great way
for them to mix and make new friends on their holidays.
The Village Hall
Keep a look out for the occasional entertainment night in the village hall. Usually put on by the
likes of the Golf or Bowling Clubs there can be anything ranging from a Tribute Act to a Ceilidh to
a dance group from southern India.
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Local Walks
If you enjoy getting outdoors you are going to be spoilt for choice
when it comes to the number of local walks. Have a quick 24sec
look from the Duke’s Path.
There is a local Walking Guide available online. Priced at £4 it
features 10 local walks and a further 10 walks in the area,
including the favourite walks for dogs.
10 Village walks:
•
Arboretum & Playground - Easy
•
Inverlounin Road - Easy
•
Dukes Path - Easy
•
Donich (Falls) Circular - Moderate
•
Gleann Banh - Easy
•
Drimsynie Circular - Easy
•
Tom a Chuilg - Moderate
•
Steeple Hill - It’s a scramble
•
Pole Straights - Easy
•
2-Gates Circuit - A muscle stretcher
In the area:
Squirrel Trail | Carrick to Ardentinny | Rest to Pole | Drimsynie
Beg | Corran Lochan | Lochgoilhead to Ardgartan | Ben Donich |
Tower above Inveraray (Dun Na Cuaiche) | Cruise Loch Lomond !1 0
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Quick view - Lochgoilhead Holidays Properties
Property
Bedrooms Sleeps Loch View
Wi-Fi
Pet
ARMADALE COTTAGE
2
4
Yes
Yes
Yes
BEACH HOUSE
4
8+1
Yes
Yes
Yes
BEN ARTHUR 9
1
2
Partial
Yes
No
BOWATER COTTAGE
1
2
Yes
Yes
Yes
COBBLER VIEW 2
3
6
Yes
Yes
No
DALRIADA
2
4
Yes
No
Yes
DONICH COTTAGE
3
6+1
No
Yes
Yes
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Property
Bedrooms Sleeps Loch View
Wi-Fi
Pet
DUNMHOR COTTAGE
2
4
Yes
Yes
Yes
FEORLINE COTTAGE
1
2+1
Partial
Yes
Yes
GREENBANK VILLA
6
10
Yes
Yes
Yes
HIGHTREES
4
8+1
Yes
Yes
Yes
IVYBANK COTTAGE
2
4
Yes
Yes
No
JENNY’S BAY - HOT TUB
4
8
Yes
Yes
Yes
SHORESIDE COTTAGE
4
8
Yes
Yes
Yes
STABLE INN COTTAGE
2
4+1
Yes
Yes
No
STEEPLE VIEW HOUSE
3
6
No
Yes
Yes
STONYCROFT
BUNGALOW
2
4
No
No
No
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Property
Bedrooms Sleeps Loch View
Wi-Fi
Pet
VIEWFIELD NO. 1
3
7
No
Yes
Yes
VIEWFIELD NO. 8
2
4
No
No
Yes
WESTERING COTTAGE
2
4+1
Yes
Yes
No
EAGLE LODGE 8
2
4+2
Yes
Yes
No
EAGLE LODGE 17
2
4+2
Yes
Yes
No
EAGLE LODGE 20
3
4+2
Yes
Yes
Yes
OSPREY LODGE 17
2
4
Yes
Yes
No
OSPREY LODGE 18
2
4+2
Yes
Yes
No
PTARMIGAN LODGE 8
2
4
Yes
Yes
Yes
PTARMIGAN LODGE 10
3
6
Partial
Yes
No
Note - Wi-Fi in the Drimsynie lodges can be a bit iﬀy. Free Wi-Fi in the centre.
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Lochgoilhead is an active community
If you would like to find out more about what is happening in the village there are a number of
ways to check.
Lochgoilhead Community Website
An eclectic mix of news and information on the Community
Council run website.
The Lochgoilhead Hub
Follow the progress of a community group as they work to open a
custom built Hub facility at the entrance to the village. Regular
blog updates.
lochgoilheadholidays.com on Facebook
A bit of fun. Like the page and see what is being posted. YouTube
A selection of short videos showing views from some of the
holidays homes as well as around the village. You can subscribe
for updates.
The Wee Goil - Community Newspaper
Published once a month you are invited to sign up for a .pdf copy
to be emailed to you. There is a small charge. Run by volunteers
all funds go back to the community.
What’s On - VisitCowal
For a full listing of what is happening in Lochgoilhead and around
Cowal then have a look at the What’s On Page of the VisitCowal
website
Lochgoilhead Holidays, Bowater, 3 Douglas Pier, Lochgoilhead, Argyll, PA24 8AE www.lochgoilheadholidays.com | Tel: 07823554508
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