Inveraray

If you have time this is a wonderful place to stop for a day or so. Even if you don’t it is worth pausing here for a few minutes to admire this antique village, little changed for 200 years.

Parking

If you park in the village there are pay and display meters. These are operational during working hours and on Saturday. If you travel a bit further through the village there is a large free parking facility on the western side.

ATM

There are two cashline machines here from the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Bank of scotland. These can be found on either side of the hall in the centre of the village. These will accept most major credit and debit cards.

Hotels

My unreserved vote goes to the George Hotel. Owned by the Clark family for generations this hotel combines both comfort and a real atmosphere. The rates are reasonable (for the UK) and the food is plentiful and good. It is one of the two place along the way where I can safely recommend that you can eat the steak, properly cooked. The rooms are well furnished with old and antique furniture some of the rooms even featuring a jacuzzi! There is a small car park for guests round the back of the hotel which is found from the square where the Jail is.

There is one other hotel I have stayed in. This is the Loch Fyne, it features a swimming pool, a sauna and steam room, a large restaurant and a wonderful outlook over Loch Fyne. If your idea of a great hotel is a Holiday Inn this is the place for you. It is very much the chain hotel with flat pack furniture and a competent feel to the catering. Not my choice but perfectly acceptable.

I have attended a course at the Argyll Hotel, the hotel which dominates the entrance to the village from the east. The food was good but I have no idea about the other facilities.

For those on a tighter budget there is also the youth hostel.

Cafe and Fish’n’Chips

There is a nice cafe in the village where you can sit down and relax. At the back of the shop there is a great little conservatory where I prefer to sit.

There is a fish and chip shop open at lunchtime and in the evening. sadly for our more gullible visitors last time I was there "deep fried Mars Bars" was not on the menu. But I did get a very acceptable fish supper (for foreign visitors the term we use here for anything from fish and chips shop is a supper, fish supper, haggis supper, pizza supper etc, you ain’t lived until you have tries a deep fried pizza!) which I shared with the gulls along the front.

In the harbour the small shop across from the Arctic Penguin sells really good rolls and heated snacks and there is a coffee machine. If you are in a hurry this is the place to get fast food and stock up on caffeine.

In the basement of the castle there is a nice cafe too, you get to this from the castle car park and follow the sign down the steps. There is no need to pay the entrance fee to the castle to use this facility. The food is good and the soup is excellent. So are the cakes! If you like eating in the bowels of a castle with spears on the walls this is the place.

Inveraray Castle

The home of the Clan Campbell and the seat of the Duke of Argyll this castle is partially open to the public. It is a wonderful visit and I highly recommend it. There is one room there that is severely haunted – seriously, if you are at all sensitive to such things beware because you will react violently. I won’t tell you which room but if you find it let me know to confirm my impression. It will take at least two hours or more to do the castle justice.

To get to it either drive or walk up the drive and there is a parking area at the top of the road.

There is an entrance fee and a booklet available. There is a friendly and exceptionally knowledgeable staff who will be more than delighted to answer any questions. Regular guided tours are taken round too if you prefer that.

Their Website

Inveraray Jail

This jail has been opened up and restored, it is now a combination of instructional visit, museum and reconstruction. It takes around an hour to look around, longer to do it proper justice.

A sobering but interesting look at the concepts of justice over the past 300 years or so.

Their website

Arctic Penguin

A maritime museum and living exhibition. This is parked at the pier and a modest sum lets you look around the exhibitions and rooms.

Their Website

Bell Tower

There are fantastic views from the top of the tower across Inveraray and the Loch. A lot of steps to the top! And don’t go up when they are going to ring the bells!

Their website

Argyll Wildlife Park

The Argyll Wildlife park also has a nice little cafe, I’ve stopped for coffee with my kids a few times there and had a good cup. For children the presence of friendly ducks is a real plus point. Again you don’t need to pay the entrance fee to eat here.

Their website

the hall

the george hotel

the castle is through the trees an the left

outside the jail

inside the jail

the Arctic Penguin

the bell tower