The Taychreggan Hotel, near Oban, Scotland

Enveloped by woodlands on the banks of the Loch Awe and in the midst of the rolling countryside of the Scottish highlands, The Taychreggan Hotel is in prime location for escapism, indulgence and embracing the great outdoors. A member of a Collection of Romantic Places, the hotel resides within the privately owned Taychreggan Estates on the outskirts of Oban. Most of the hotel’s bedrooms have recently been refurbished to add that extra touch of luxury. The hotel is easily reached with just over 2 hour drive from both Edinburgh and Glasgow.

With a reputation for being one of the finest hotels Scotland has to offer, The Taychreggan has also gained a name for itself by winning the much-coveted award 2 AA rosettes for their fine dining.

On entering the hotel there is a distinct home-from-home ambience. Most of the rooms have maintained their original charm and décor from its early days. The Taychreggan also boasts two beautiful public rooms, a snooker room, lounge bar and a private dining room which seats up to twenty five delegates with great views over down the loch. The Lounge Bar is the perfect place to retire after a day of fishing on the estate with its treasure trove of whiskeys.

Whether you are opting for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea, Head Chef Alan Hunter will cater for your every need. In his years at the Taychreggan he has built up a strong reputation with accolades such as becoming one of the select “Hotel Chef of the Year” finalists in the Scottish Chef Awards and gaining two AA rosettes for the restaurant. Hunter uses only the freshest of ingredients to include Scottish meat and fish to wild mushrooms and freshly picked herbs from the garden. To complement the haute cuisine served in the restaurant there is a fine selection of wines to choose as well as some from his private cellar.

The Luxurious accommodations in the hotel, totalling 18 bedrooms, includes Superior, Deluxe and Standard rooms, the Sonachan Suite and Junior Suites such as Walter Scott, Dr. Johnson and Boswell.

The prime location of the hotel within the Taychreggan Estates allows guests to choose from a wealth of activities; whether you are a fan of the great outdoors or prefer to be preened and pampered you are sure to be contented.

The History
Taychreggan was originally a humble 17th century cattle drover’s inn. Wealth was measured in cattle then. It took great skill to captain a cattle drove down through the Highlands. There were steep mountains, furths and lochs to swim your cattle across and always, cattle thieves from rival clans waiting to steal your wealth.

But for a successful cattle drove captain, riches awaited. The great Banks of Scotland were founded by these drovers.

Taychreggan is located on a small peninsula that juts out into the loch. It was from Taychreggan, at Loch Awe’s narrowest crossing point, the cattle would swim across.

What a welcome sight the whitewashed stone walls of Taychreggan must have been. Here the captains could rest for a bit, dining and sleeping in the cosy rooms overlooking the loch while their men slept outside in the sheltered courtyard, protecting their cattle from Rob Roy and other notorious cattle thieves who had hide-outs nearby.

Later, the philosopher Samuel Johnson and his biographer James Boswell also enjoyed whisky and a good night’s sleep at Taychreggan during their historic journey to the Hebrides.Today, Taychreggan offers the weary traveler much more than the humble hospitality of the past.

The Loch
Loch Awe dominates this peaceful corner of Argyll with it’s enigmatic 23 miles of fresh water. Over twenty long abandoned Crannogs (lake dwellings) are still in evidence, along with the semi ruined Castles of Kilchurn – once the Clan Campbell seat which still dominates the loch, Innis Chonnel and Fraoch Eilean, taking their names from the islands on which they stand.

The Islands
The main islands of Fraoch Eilean and Innishail situated at the North end of Loch Awe and Innis Chonnel to the East – all are shrouded in myth, legend and rich in historic interest.

The Battles
Not so well known for its famous battles, the surrounding lands still have a story or two tell. Such as The Battle of the Red Ford, The Battle of the String of Lorn, The Battle of the Pass of Brander and The Battle of Loch Tromlee.

Weddings
Named by AA as one of the most romantic hotels in Scotland , it is ideal for a Scottish honeymoon or romantic break. Surrounded by mountain grandeur, loch, forests and an abundance of wildlife, Taychreggan makes a perfect venue for your special day.

ON THE WEB AT: http://www.taychregganhotel.co.uk/index.html