The Isle of Seil is 12 miles
south of the Oban tourism centre and is connected to the mainland of Argyll
by the lovely old humpbacked Clachan Bridge
(popularly called 'The Bridge Over The Atlantic Ocean'
or 'Atlantic Bridge')
Built in 1792 by John Stevenson
of the Oban area, legend has it that on completion, a horse pulling a cartload
of hay was sent across the bridge to test its strength. (With
no additional strengthening, forty ton trucks cross it without a worry these
days.)
The rare Fairy Foxglove (Erinus alpinus) covers the
bridge in a gentle purple haze in the early summer, further enhancing an already
beautiful structure.
Innish
faces you as you cross the "Bridge over
the Atlantic Ocean"
on to the Isle ofSeil.
Designed
in keeping with the local architecture Innish provides warm, comfortable,
modern accommodation for our guests in this beautiful area of Argyll, Telephone: 01852 300423
Next
door is the:-
Tigh
na Truish Inn (The
House of Trousers:- After the Jacobite Risings when kilts were banned,
the islanders were reputed to change out of their kilts and into trews
here, when going the mainland).
The Tigh an
Truish is famous amongst the regular crews of yachts which moor in the
Phuilladobhrain anchorage on the other side of the
island
(Pronounced :- Pol dor an, meaning
pool of the otter).
The crews have the added attraction of a 15 minute walk over the hill
on the public footpath which runs down the side of our property.
A wander over this footpath is well worth the effort with views over the
Firth of Lorne to Mull, Kerrera, Lismore and other small islands, with
Morven in the distance. Good
food in a traditional Scottish Pub
Telephone:
01852 300242
Balvicar: Set beside Balvicar Bay is one of the main
villages on the island about 2 miles along the road from Innish. Comprising
mainly of quaint old quarriers cottages.
Balvicar StoresandPost office is the main grocery store on the Isle of Seil with with
a good selection of groceries etc. in stock, to save you the journey into
Oban. Web site; http://www.balvicarstores.co.uk
The Boatyard a
first class storage and repair operation run by Mike and Morag McSweeney.
They always have a selection of boats for sale and are straight ahead
as you go up past the Balvicar pier.
Telephone: 01852 300557
Sea Kayak Hire and Courses
can be supplied through Ken Lacey at Balvicar
Telephone: 01852 300589 Web site:
http://www.seakayakscotland.com
Sealife Adventures run by Dave Ainsley (a marine
biologist), offers a range of whale watching trips and cruises,
with the passengers given a choice of where they would like to go. He
also takes diving parties, and underwater photography expeditons. Charters
operate from new facilities at Clachan Seil.
Telephone: 01852 300203 Web Site
http://www.sealife-adventures.com
Easdale Seafoods a small modern processing plant that prepares
and packs locally caught langoustine mainly for the export market,
are on the right as you go through the village. Telephone: 01852 300295
Seil Island Golf Course with views over Seil Sound and Balvicar
Bay. This developing 9 hole course is described as 'challenging' and uses
natural water hazards. Tickets available from the caravan at the car park
Turn right at Balvicar crossroads and
travel a further 2 miles to
Ellenabiech (often called Easdale) the
main village on Seil, about 4 miles down the road from Innish. Again
the majority of the houses are quaint old quarriers cottages. The village
has been used for various film and TV locations, including 'PARAHANDY'
and 'RING OF BRIGHT WATER'.
Seil Island Games
were held at Dunmor Farm on the last Saturday in June.
For more details Click here
A Heritage center has been opened in one of the cottages giving
the visitor and local alike a brief but interesting history of the area.
McSplinters and Others shop with the Post Office. Oyster Bar for good
food. Best to book
Highland Arts Studios a tourist emporium with a telve hole Putting
Green overlooking the harbour from where a small passenger ferry
will take you over to the island of Easdale on a five minute trip back
in time.
Seafari High seas, high adventure, will take the more intrepid
on a trip around the islands and through the Gulf of Corryvreckan (one
of the largest whirlpools in the world) leaving from Easdale Pier
Go straight on at Balvicar crossroads for
about 2 miles and after passing Kilbrandon Church with its famous
stained glass windows you come to Cuan: at the southern end of Seil where a small
ferry plies between the Isle of Seil and the Isle of Luing, across the
tidal-race of the Cuan Sound.
A pleasant place to while the time away watching the ferry or other
boats negotiate the sound, fish of the rocks, admire the view, or walk
round the shore by the way of the Brentfords towards Ellenabeich (Easdale).
At Cuan in
what used to be an old church (built circa 1735), but now a family
home, is a
business: Caranexsuppliers of specialist vehicle awnings with
a worldwide reputation for its quality and versatility, with models
to fit most cars. Ideal for touring, off road or competing at shows.
Telephone: 01852 300258
Fax: 01852 300470