October 11th, 2010
A brand new short break has been created by Loch Melfort Hotel where the weekend’s theme will be “Art Foraging“.
From the 12th to 15th November, artist Susan Wood will lead guests on a journey of exploration along the beach and surrounding gardens to collect interesting and unusual natural resources and use them in creative and exciting ways to produce unique pieces of art. She will talk through the kinds of items that can be used, how they can be fashioned into works of art as well as a range of practical techniques.
After retiring from a career lecturing in German Susan now works with a wide variety of natural materials and glass to create fantastic examples of unusual artwork.
The weekend is designed to appeal to artists of all ages whether experienced or wanting to try art for the first time. For more information on our new Art Foraging short break, just phone us on 01852 200233 or e-mail us and we’ll get back to you.
Tags: art foraging
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October 6th, 2010
The Scottish Tourist Board have launched Red Squirrel Week (from 2 to 10 October) as part of the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels campaign. Red squirrels are the only native squirrels in the UK but due to the increasing population of grey squirrels they are now an endangered species.

The endangered red squirrel in its natural habitat.
Anyone holidaying in Scotland this week is encouraged to take part in a range of special events and fun days out in the countryside designed for families and nature lovers. Rangers will give guided walks to seek out these rare animals looking for squirrel signs along the way and the chance to sit in a viewing hide to try and see the squirrels close up.
The campaign organisers are asking that any sightings of red squirrels are reported to the campaign in an effort to help save them. Sightings can be reported at the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels website.
Tags: Red Squirrel Week, squirrels, VisitScotland
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September 30th, 2010
We attended the World Stone Skimming Championships on 25 September a took a few snaps.

Onlookers at the World Stone Skimming Championships

The stage is set, let the stone skimming begin!
The weather on Easdale Island was perfect with sunshine and flat calm water – ideal for skimming stones – and attracted a healthy crowd of onlookers and competitors vying to become World Champion.
Tags: easdale island, stone skimming
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September 30th, 2010
A new male beaver named Christian was released successfully into a Knapdale loch by the Scottish Beaver Trial on September 21. The hope is that he and a female beaver, Trude, already living on the loch will form a breeding pair, increasing the breeding population in the area.
The main indicator that they have formed a pair is if they build a lodge together, and once it’s established they can set about starting a family.
By assessing the success of breeding pairs of beavers, the Scottish Beaver Trial can determine their impact on the environment as well as how well they adapt to living in Scotland.
The introduction of beavers to Knapdale Forest has attracted a lot of attention from the public with beaver watching trips proving very popular. For Trial updates and details of visitor facilities, visit the website of the Scottish Beaver Trial.
Tags: beavers, knapdale forest, scottish beaver trial
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September 23rd, 2010
The Scottish Labour Party Conference descends on Oban from 29-31 October when about 600 delegates will pour into the Corran Halls.
The Party last held its conference in Oban in November 2006 when Tony Blair gave a keynote speech and Jack McConnell was First Minister of Scotland.
A special treat for delegates this time will be the appearance of the new Labour Party leader who will make his or her first conference address after becoming leader which is sure to attract a lot of media and public interest.
If 2006 is anything to go by, Oban will be transformed by the Party Conference. Security surrounding this event is always high with a large police and media presence, traffic diversions will be put in place and even police boats patrolling Oban Bay. We’re just glad Loch Melfort Hotel is handy for Oban, but just far enough outside the town in a tranquil, scenic setting.
In a special deal for the days surrounding the conference, Loch Melfort Hotel is offering reduced accommodation and meal rates.
Scottish Labour Party Conference Special Deal – save £24 per night on B and B accommodation!
£45 per person per night with breakfast-to-go if you want an early start. Stay 3 nights and get third night for £20!
Based on 2 sharing a standard Cedar Wing room (single supplement £25 per night, bring your dog for £8 per night)
To take advantage of this special conference deal, please contact the hotel on 01852 200 233.
Tags: Oban, Scottish Labour Party Conference
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September 23rd, 2010
The Highland town of Oban is always a hive of activity. Affectionately known as the “Gateway to the Isles”, Oban attracts locals and tourists every day as they soak up the town’s special atmosphere, hop on a ferry to an island or two, enjoy the delicious local seafood, or take a boat trip to the nearby seal colonies.
As the largest town on Scotland’s west coast, Oban also attracts many organisations who want that special location for a conference, the most high profile being the Scottish Labour Party. The town has excellent amenities, has good road and rail transport links with Oban airport only a few miles out of the town, and high quality accommodation and eateries.
Anyone attending a conference in Oban is struck by the stunning views the town affords. However, here at Loch Melfort Hotel a few miles south of Oban, we believe we have the finest views on the west coast. Our position commands breathtaking views of the magnificent Sound of Jura and its islands, and because of our position in Asknish Bay, it is beautifully tranquil.
Indeed, this is one main reason conference delegates and business executives choose to escape Oban’s hustle and bustle and stay with us. They enjoy not only the scenery and tranquil setting, but our delicious, award winning food made with fresh ingredients sourced locally, cosy lounges and relaxing atmosphere.
We also have full conference facilities of our own and an experienced team who are well-versed in creating tailor made set ups for conferences, seminars, and meetings. As an added bonus, our boardroom has an incredible inspiring view which helps create a perfect, stress-free environment for corporate gatherings.
Tags: conference, Oban
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September 15th, 2010
A group of five cyclists popped into the Chartroom II Bistro for coffee on the morning of Sunday 29th August. The dauntless Joglers were on day five of their ride from John o’Groats to Land’s End (JOGLE) and took a well-earned breather and enjoyed the magnificent scenery looking down the Sound of Jura.

The Joglers enjoying the magnificent weather and scenery at Loch Melfort Hotel.
Al, Bob, Fred, Keith and Richard set off from John o’ Groats on August 25 and finished their epic ride at Land’s End on September 11, eventually cycling 1010 miles, and raised substantial funds for the charities Sustrans and Everyman.
All of us here at Loch Melfort Hotel send the boys our warmest congratulations. If you want to catch up on their adventures visit the Jogle2010 blog.
Tags: John o' Groats, Land's End
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September 14th, 2010
Hotel guests watched a dramatic sea resuce unfold when a yacht sailing from Croabh Marina smashed into rocks in front of the hotel at breakfast yesterday morning. Oban Lifeboat was called out to rescue the crew and as the tide dropped, the full extent of the damage to the boat was revealed!

Yacht stranded in Asknish Bay.

Low tide reveals the damage.
Tags: Craobh Marina, yacht
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September 8th, 2010
Ashling and Ewan celebrated their marriage with a lovely outdoor ceremony in Arduaine Garden followed by photos over looking beautiful Asknish Bay.

Ashling looking beautiful in red.
To keep the sea-themed wedding complete, the wedding cake, made by a friend, was inspired by Ashling’s job as a marine ecologist.

Sea themed cake.
Tags: wedding
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August 18th, 2010
The Scottish Beaver Trial has announced the exciting news that the fist beaver kits have been born. Although they are a few months old, they have only recently been spotted as beavers are shy and mainly nocturnal, and the young kits typically emerge from the lodge after a few months.
Two kits from different families have been seen exploring and foraging around the Knapdale lochsides with their parents and also swimming confidently. There is the chance that there might even be more kits elsewhere that haven’t left their lodges or been spotted yet as they are even more reclusive than the adult beavers and are hard to spot because they are so small.
The Trial organisers have asked wildlife lovers visiting the area not to get too close to the lochsides in the coming weeks so as to minimise disturbing these sensitive and fascinating animals.
For more information and exclusive pictures of the new beaver kits, visit the website of the Scottish Beaver Trial.
Tags: beaver kits, beavers, scottish beaver trial
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