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Argyll & Bute Accommodation
Fairytale Inveraray Castle just outside the town
Inveraray's Georgian town centre
Inveraray Maritime Heritage Museum on Loch Fyne
Handy stop off for a coffee and home baking
There are several hotels, B&Bs, cafes and pubs in Inveraray
Inveraray Jail - good for a family fun day out
Inveraray's neo-classical church split in two for English and Gaelic speakers
There is a range of specialist shops in InverarayInveraray Tourist Information Inveraray Castle Argyll and Bute Scotland
Inveraray is a pleasant historic town as you head away from the Cowal Peninsula. It's a perfectly preserved 18th Georgian planned town that evokes that period of history from the whitewashed arches into the town and the forbidding jail that now acts as an entertaining visitor attraction.
For a small town there's plenty to keep the whole family occupied with museums, shops, the castle and the countryside around that's well worth exploring.
Inveraray Tourist Information Argyll and Bute
Inveraray, on the shores of Loch Fyne, is a classic example of an 18th century planned town. It was built on a ruined fishing town in 1745 by the third Duke of Argyll to complement his newly built castle and as the main commercial centre for Argyll. It has retained its Georgian character and you feel very much like stepping back in time as you walk round the streets lined with whitewashed buildings, particularly with the tall arches on Front Street and the staff from Inveraray Jail walking the streets in period costume!
The town has a Tourist Information Centre on Front Street - handy for one of the town's many pay and display car parks. Tel: 01499 302 063. Email: info@inveraray.visitscotland.com
Main Street forms the heart of the town and the terraces house a range of shops, cafes and pubs. At the head of Main Street is the town's grand Neoclassical Church built in two parts, one for the Gaelic speakers in the southern half and the English speakers in the northern half. The Bell Tower over on the east of town at All Saints Church is a striking landmark and where you can climb the tower for excellent views of Inveraray and Loch Fyne. Open daily, mid May-end Sept 10am-1pm and 2-5pm.
If you head out of town up the A83 to Cairndow you will find the Loch Fyne Oysters Shop and Restaurant. The shop sells a range of seafood and accompaniments, some of which is locally caught and organic. Excellent for stocking up for picnics and if you're self catering. Next door is the restaurant where you can sample a wide range of their wares - a fantastic treat for seafood lovers. Loch Fyne Cairndow, Clachan, Cairndow PA26 8BL. Tel: 01499 600236.
Inveraray Castle
Inveraray Castle looks like something out of a fairytale. Nestled amongst trees and gardens its many turrets and spires look like something Rapunzel would have been locked up in. It is a mix of Baroque, Palladian and Gothic architecture owing much to a French influence. Building commenced in 1746 and it was the first castle of this size and type to be built in a remote part of Scotland. It has been home to the Campbells since that time with the current Duke carrying on this tradition as well as promoting the Chivas Regal and Glenlivet malt whiskies and captaining an Elephant Polo team!
The castle comprises a series of rooms including a state dining room, tapestry drawing room, china turret, armoury hall. All are lavishly decorated in various period styles and are themed with a collection of relevant exhibits from weapons to costumes.
The castle is open to visitors from April-October Mon-Sat 10am-5.45pm. Sundays are open from 12-5.45pm. Visitors are welcomed for guided tours around the castle and you can also explore the 16 acre gardens and nature trails free of charge. Guided tours of the garden are also offered on Fridays in May and June. Check the website for more information on all aspects of the castle, link right.
Argyll Estates Office, Inveraray, Argyll PA32 8XE. Tel: 01499 302203. Fax: 01499 302421. Email: enquiries@inveraray-castle.com
Sightseeing Inveraray - Inveraray Jail - Arctic Puffin Maritime Museum - Bell Tower
To the east of the church is Inverary Jail set in its own courtyard. This is a classic looking building in which you can just imagine pirates and smugglers being banged up. Its courthouse and jails ceased being used in the 1930s and is now open as a visitor attraction. It entertainingly tells the history of prisons from the medieval ages through to the 19th century including a depiction of life in Glasgow's Barlinnie Prison. Guides are dressed in period costumes and you can witness a re-enactment of a trial in the semi-circular courthouse.
The jail is open Apr-Oct: 9.30am-6pm and Nov-Mar: 10am-5pm. Inveraray Jail, Argyll, Scotland PA32 8TX. Tel: 01499 302381. Fax: 01499 302195. Email: info@inverarayjail.co.uk
Moored at the pier in Inveraray is the grand triple masted schooner, the Arctic Penguin. This was built in Dublin in 1911 but now houses a cafe and the Inveraray Maritime Heritage Museum. The museum has a collection of Clyde maritime themed artefacts and tells the story of hardship endured by emigrants forced from Argyll by The Clearances. The cafe on board serves up refreshments and home cooking that you can sample on the quayside taking the Loch Fyne views. The ship is also available for hire for charters, weddings and functions.
Open daily Apr-Sept 10am-6pm. Oct-Mar 10am-5pm. Tel: 01499 30 2213. Email: thepier@inveraray.tv
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