Spring Activities in the Loch Melfort Area
Scotland’s west coast is the place to visit in the Spring. We have everything from active days out to relaxing coastal or hill walks all amidst our beautiful, refreshing Spring scenery.
Easdale Island Hall
Feet will be tapping aplenty when Shooglenifty take to the stage on May 1. Their
unique style of Scottish traditional music fused with a contemporary dance feel
has had audiences everywhere wanting more and they are sure to set Easdale alight.
Tickets are available from the
Easdale Island Hall
website, but be quick!
Kilmartin Museum
The museum at Kilmartin reopened on March 1st as did its popular craft workshops, storytelling and nature events, and guided walks through the prehistoric standing stones, cairns, duns, forts in Kilmartin Glen. Bookmark their
events calendar and visit often to find out what’s on.
Nature Walks
Of course, walking in Argyll is available all year round, but the gentler Spring weather affords some beautiful sights and sounds on our hillside, woodland and coastal walks, such as new-born lambs, Spring flowers, badgers and hares. We have maps and guides available at reception and can also recommend some lesser known walks in the Oban and Loch Melfort area.
Festival of the Sea
This major new event takes place between May 21-31 and is a celebration of the sea; such an important part of everyday life in the Oban and Lorne area. Public talks and exhibitions about sea life in the Oban area will take place daily, and throughout the ten days experts in fields such as marine biology, local history and conservation will share their knowledge with the community and visitors alike. The festival is organised by the
Scottish Association for Marine Science and the full programme of events can be viewed at the
Marine Science Festival website.
Wildlife Watching
Even as early as April, returning wildlife visitors to these shores such as whales and basking sharks start to appear. April is also the time when our resident sea and golden eagles are nesting, with the adults regularly seen in the skies around Jura as they gather material for their nests. The best way to see these magnificent birds is by one of the many charter boats which run regular cruises to the wildlife rich areas around Scarba, Jura and the
Corryvreckan whirlpool. See our
whale watching page for more details.
Gardens
Argyll’s gardens flourish in the Spring, with many plant species exploding into bloom with spectacular colours.
Arduaine Garden next to the
Loch Melfort Hotel is no exception. It is world famous for its almost 400 species of rhododendron many of which are in bloom all year round, but most burst into action in the Spring. In addition, Spring also sees snowdrops and bluebells carpeting some of the wilder areas of the garden. Why not bring the kids along between 2nd and 5th of April for our
Cadbury Easter Egg Trail.
A highlight of the Garden’s year is the
Arduaine Spring Festival taking place Fri 16 – Sun 18 April. This major event will be a celebration at Loch Melfort Hotel of Arduaine Garden and Scottish horticulture and produce featuring keynote talks by Jim McColl MBE of the Beechgrove Garden and speakers from
Kilmartin Museum, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Now that the
Arduaine Garden Support Group is established and supported by the National Trust for Scotland, we are hoping the gardens go from strength to strength in 2010.
Sea Kayaking
The number of sea kayakers in the Oban area grows year on year, and with the calmer Spring weather more newcomers flock to the area to explore the beautiful and exciting coast. For details of how you can get involved in the exciting sport of sea kayaking, get in touch with
Sea Kayak Oban,
Sea Freedom Kayak or
Rowland Woollven for information and tuition.
Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival
Now firmly established as one of Scotland’s major arts gatherings, the Highlands and Islands Music and
Dance Festival brings together the best young Scottish talent
in piano, brass, woodwind, pipes, accordion, country dancing, highland dancing, singing, and more. There
are competitions for each class as well as special events such as such as fiddle and accordion concerts,
a parade of pipe bands through the streets of Oban, and the Concert of Champions where all the
competition winners put on a high quality show. The festival takes place from April 29 to May 2.
Loch Fyne Food Fair
Scotland’s world renowned seafood is celebrated at the
Loch Fyne Food Fair on the 15th and 16th
of May. Food and wine producers from all over Scotland will set up stalls in the grounds of Inveraray
Castle. As well as produce from Loch Fyne Oysters, visitors can taste venison from
Winston Churchill,
Orkney Herring, and beef and lamb from
Barbreck Farms. There will also be musical
entertainment.
Inveraray Bluebell Festival
Inveraray Castle is the focus for the
second Inveraray Bluebell Festival where visitors can explore the beautiful woodland trails in the
castle’s grounds and walk among the rich carpets of bluebells. A variety of other cultural events will
take place throughout the month of May.
Oban Weather
The Met Office provide a 5 day forecast for
Oban weather.