News and offers direct from The Crinan Hotel in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland

News from Crinan
We have had some glorious sunny days over the last few weeks with clear blue skies and sparkling seas.   In spite of the recent dry weather, there is still plenty of lush greenery and the views out over Loch Crinan are as stunning as ever.  If you choose to dine in the Westward Restaurant  you may be lucky enough to be treated to a really spectacular sunset. 
 
We hope you will be interested by the updates below and the special offers which you can find via  the foot of the page. As you can see there is plenty going on, or you may prefer simply to  relax and enjoy the scenery.
 
If you need more information, get in touch by phone or visit our website or click on the links in the footer to join our social media world too!

Remember you will ALWAYS get guaranteed best rates by booking direct through our website.

We do hope you will visit soon  - we will offer you a warm welcome and true Highland hospitality!

Frances Ryan and the Crinan Hotel Team       

Westward Restaurant Menu
Westward Restaurant
  
We are pleased to report that the Westward Restaurant is in the Michelin Guide again for 2018 and this year The Westward has been awarded L'Assiette Michelin (The Michelin Plate).  

Our chefs have been hard at work refining what is on offer and this August regular visitors will notice a number of new dishes on the menus which are changed daily.  Your dinner will begin with exquisite hand-crafted canapés.  A selection of starters and main courses has the very freshest local seafood as a central theme with a variety of other options as well.  

Sample menus for all our restaurants can be seen on the hotel's website.
Photo of MV Sgarbh by Duntrune Castle
MV Sgarbh by Duntrune Castle
Boat trips on the MV Sgarbh
  
The Crinan Hotel offers boat trips on our own  fully restored classic motor boat so you can enjoy some of the finest cruising waters in the world, never mind just the west coast of Scotland.
  
The MV Sgarbh is based at Crinan and is kept right outside the hotel which overlooks Loch Crinan and the Crinan Canal, the gateway to the Atlantic and the islands.
Photo of Jura Passenger Ferry at Craighouse
Jura Passenger Ferry
Photo of Jura Distillery
Jura Distillery
Day trip to the Isle of Jura
  
When author George Orwell wrote his famous novel "1984" on Jura, as well as describing the island as an unforgettable place, he also said it was an extremely un-getatable place.  But things have changed since the 1940s! 

The Jura Passenger Ferry runs from Tayvallich which is a short drive away from Crinan. and the crossing to Craighouse on Jura takes less than an hour in a covered Stormforce 11 Redbay RIB.  (booking is essential)  

Once on the island  you can go on a tour of the Jura Distillery and have lunch at the Jura Hotel both of which are less than 5 minutes walk from the ferry jetty or you can just stroll around enjoying the scenery.
Photo of the Argyllshire Gathering
The Argyllshire Gathering - Oban Games
Festivals and events in Argyll and Kintyre

All sorts of events will be taking place near Crinan over the next few months.  Here is a selection of just some of them.


Mid-Argyll Show (Lochgilphead - 11th August) The Mid-Argyll Agricultural Show is a major event held annually on the second Saturday in August. Hundreds of exhibitors enter competitions in Baking, Produce, Crafts, Flowers and Vegetables as well as the Dog and Livestock classes.  A large crowd of spectators watch the judging of Cattle, Sheep, Dogs, Horses, Ponies and Poultry competitions.   Other regular attractions are the display of vintage tractors and the delightful Pets section together with the Terrier Racing competitions. Also on the day there will be the digger challenge where the winner will receive a cash prize.  More information on the event website.

The Argyllshire Gathering Oban Games (Oban - 23rd August)  Piping, dancing and events like Tossing the Caber and the Scottish Hammer.   Exhilarating, flamboyant and colourful, Highland gatherings provided an opportunity to renew clan contacts, declare loyalties and settle scores. However they were also politically significant with chiefs and chieftains meeting to discuss important issues of the day.   Today, they enable the clans to get together to socialise and entertain their friends. More information on the event website. 

Artmap Argyll (throughout Argyll - 24th - 27th August)   Argyll is a amazingly inspiring area full of interesting, creative   and very skilled artists and crafts people. This is the eleventh year that our artists are opening their studios to art lovers. The locations of the studios stretches from spectacular Glencoe in the North to Campbeltown at the foot of Kintyre Peninsular in the South - Inveraray and it's castle in the East to the pretty coastal villages of Tayvallich and Crinan on the West coast.  Work by Ross Ryan and Frances Macdonald (aka Frances Ryan) will be on display in the Crinan Hotel Gallery and the Coffee Shop.   More information on the  event website . 

World Stone Skimming Championship 2018  (Easdale - 23rd September) The World Stone Skimming Championship is held every year on the last Sunday in September on the beautiful island of Easdale near Oban. Easdale was once the centre of a thriving Scottish slate mining industry, and one of the disused quarries forms a perfect arena for the championships.  Anyone of any age and any level of skill can enter.  More information on the event website or via Explore Argyll.

Ideas for other things to do in the area around Crinan can be found on the hotel's website;  www.crinanhotel.com/en/activities-boat-trips/
Artmap Argyll - work by Ross Ryan will be on display at the Crinan Hotel
Photo of standing stones at Kilmartin Glen
Standing stones at Kilmartin Glen
Out and about
  
Just up the road from Crinan, there are big plans afoot at historic Kilmartin for a major redevelopment of the Kilmartin Museum . There is an astonishing number of prehistoric cairns, standing stones and carved rocks in this area. The museum is a good starting point to find out more and informative  guided glen walks take place every Wednesday at 1.30 pm   
  
You can find out about local wildlife at the  Information and Wildlife Interpretation Centre run by the Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation - it is just a short drive from the Hotel or within walking distance for those who fancy stretching their legs.

Photo of Archie McAllister
Archie McAllister
Hogmanay at Crinan

While New Year seems a long way off, we are already taking bookings for our popular 3 day Hogmanay House Party - if you would like to join us please book soon to be sure of getting a room. 

Before dinner on New Year's Eve the Ryan family will be hosting a Champagne reception in the Gallery Bar which is enclosed on the hotel roof.   Then you will be piped down to the Westward Restaurant by our favourite piper to enjoy a sumptuous Black Tie (or a Touch of Tartan) Dinner to music played by internationally acclaimed fiddler Archie McAllister and his brother Alex.
Special offers logo
 
Book via the hotel's website before 15th August for a special 25% off deal for B&B in Classic Double rooms on selected dates during August,  September & October (limited availability). 

Last minute deals are available if you can be flexible about which dates you come to visit us, but often the hotel is fully booked so availability cannot be guaranteed.  Keep an eye on our website for details of these deals.

Our ever popular 3 nights for the price of 2 deals are available during October, November and December for both Classic and Superior rooms subject to availability. 

Click the link below to visit the booking section on our website and see what deals you can find on the dates which suit you.
 
Crinan Hotel | 01546 830261 |   Email | Website
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