A quiet road leads down the eastern shore of Loch Fyne from Strachur to Otter Ferry and Tighnabruaich. It's a most scenic route, which rises high above the loch to give glorious views across to Minard and Carrick on the opposite shore, with the Knapdale Hills beyond.
And this is the view that greets you at Drimdarroch, a most comfortable, modern, detached, whitewashed farm cottage which stands well off the road on a farm track. Sunny, spacious, and double-glazed, Drimdarroch has been painstakingly furnished and equipped by its owners, with a bright kitchen diner, an excellent sitting room with large picture windows and multi-fuel stove, three good bedrooms and bathroom. There is ample parking to the side, a large decked area to the front and a grass garden with seating area to the back, through which a stream runs, so care may be required with young children. (Children will doubtless adore the two ponies who are usually grazing in the field in front of the cottage.)
Strachur (5m) has a shop/café and filling station not to mention the famous Creggans Inn. For more serious shopping, the nearest place is Dunoon (22m), from where you can also catch the ferry to Gourock near Glasgow. Ferry hopping is potentially quite a pastime for guests at Drimdarroch - from Portavadie you can cross to Tarbert at the northern end of the Mull of Kintyre with the possibility in summer of sailing onward to Arran, while from Colintraive (19m) the crossing is to Bute and the resort of Rothesay.
Tighnabruaich (23m) is a mecca for sailors, and also has a golf course, as do Inveraray (24m) and Dunoon. If in Dunoon you can visit the Benmore Botanic Gardens just outside the town on the Strachur road, while if heading for Inveraray (castle, jail museum) you will pass Ardkinglas Woodland Gardens at the head of Loch Fyne and the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar where you can stock up with all kinds of goodies. You are also well placed to explore the Argyll Forest Park and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the boundaries of both of which are within 6 miles of the cottage.
The Cowal peninsula is an area of outstanding natural beauty and home to an abundance of wildlife, on land, air and sea. Indeed, it is a stronghold for the red squirrel and the majestic golden eagle, the national bird of Scotland. Loch Fyne supports large populations of the elusive Eurasian otter as well as colonies of grey and common seals. Basking sharks, bottlenose dolphins and even minke whales are often seen off this coastline.
It goes without saying that there are plenty of places to walk, whether along the loch or in the surrounding hills. Local licences are available for fishing in Loch Eck and the Cur and Ruel Rivers, and of course Loch Fyne itself. All in all, Drimdarroch will provide the backdrop for a memorable holiday which can be as relaxing or as active as you wish.
Oil central heating, the first £10 of electricity and bed linen are INCLUDED and towels may be hired. Well behaved pets are welcome by arrangement (£50 refundable householder's deposit payable on arrival). Sorry, no smoking within the cottage. Wi-fi is now available at the cottage.
