Out to Sea
The beauty of the West Coast of Scotland is plain to see right in front of Loch Melfort.
And there is a wealth of activities and adventures awaiting you at sea, some of which are detailed below.
Sailing
Experienced yachtsmen will find all their berthing and chandlery needs as well as yacht chartering at Craobh Marina and Ardfern Yacht Centre. The Admiralty Chart 2326 “Loch Crinan to the Firth of Lorne” maps the area, but please ask marina staff about the more treacherous tidal areas.
Loch Melfort Hotel has four free moorings for vessels up to 40ft and 15 tonnes. The moorings operate on a first come first served basis and can be found Lat 56-13+907 and Long 5-33-177. After that it’s just a 5 minute walk to our unique, 4-star country house hotel.
Sea trips and wildlife spotting
Wildlife sea trips are a must and go out all year, sea state permitting. The Corryvreckan Whirpool is the centre piece. There are plenty of local boat operators offering day or half day trips along the coast and up to the Inner Hebrides (including Sealife Adventures, Venture West (see our video of our Corryvreckan Tour with them)and Seafari Adventures Oban, or Jenny Wren Boat Charter in nearby Craobh Haven Marina).
Sea fishing
Sea fishing is excellent in the area, with deep sea wreck and reef fishing almost certain to provide a good catch. Scottish records have been broken in these parts. Sea angling is free in local sea lochs (the Sound of Kerrera is a good angling spot), and if you don’t want to venture too far, line fishing in the sea just outside the hotel is where you want to be.
Kayaking and canoeing
Now for something a little more active, sea kayaking and canoeing are a fantastic way to discover the area. Sea kayaking and canoeing are just as enjoyable in winter as in the summer. Picture making your way through calm loch and coastal waters, as you admire the still landscapes and wildlife on water and land. Whales, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks, sea eagles, peregrine falcons and buzzards, seals and otters can all be spotted around these shores, making a trip out to the sea lochs or to the sea a real treat and a unique experience.
Argyll Sea Kayak Trail is a 150km long trail from Helensburgh to Ganavan, offering some of the best sea kayaking in Europe. Rich in wildlife, naturally diverse coastline, sheltered waters, islands, sandy beaches, caves and much more, it is everything you want from a paddling destination. Our nearest access point is Arduaine Pier.
Paddle boarding
Kayak Majik own a fleet of stand-up paddle boards and can offer tuition in this very popular new water sport for individuals or groups of up to 8. Why not get started with a 2hr ‘taster’? You could even book a 2 day course which culminates in a loch or river, wildlife seeking journey
Diving
The Firth of Lorne is a Special Area of Conservation and as such is a major UK centre for diving. As well as interesting and rare marine life, spectacular wall and reef dives, there are also many wrecks including World War Two vessels. There are also plenty of tidal races such as the spectacularFalls of Lora and the mazelike Grey Dogs at Scarba which offer more challenging dives for experienced divers. Contact Porpoise Diving or Puffin Dive Centre for further information.
Wild Swimming
Whether you’re new to outdoor swimming or want to learn to maximise your time in wild cold water safely, the spaces around Argyll and Loch Melfort Hotel are a beautiful area to shed your armbands and explore.
Local Open Water Swim Coach, Dan the Merman, operates as a wild swimming guide around the west Isle of Scotland. Tours of the fresh water lochs, islands, and bays of Argyll are available for beginners, intermediate/improvers and advanced swimmers, adults and children.
For more inspiration on what to do and where to go in Argyll, visit www.wildaboutargyll.co.uk, the guide to Scotland’s Adventure Coast.
