Email Fasgadh enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in and around Dunoon
Welcome to Fasgadh, a three bedroom, stylishly appointed three star self-catering
property accommodating up to 8. Fasgadh is in a picturesque location on
the shores of the Holy Loch on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll.
It has beautiful views across the loch to the Kilmun Aboretum, a collection of diverse tree species from around the world which, in the autumn, creates a spectacular and constantly changing display of contrasting autumnal colours as the backdrop to the views across the Holy Loch from the picture windows at the front of the property.
Sandbank is an ideal central base for walking, cycling and touring with easy access by road and sea. At Fasgadh we offer comfortable and relaxing self catering breaks and holistic retreats, perfectly tailored to suit your needs.
Fasgadh Accommodation
Fasgadh is a bright and spacious, centrally heated three bedroom property accommodating up to 8. It is comfortably furnished and appointed to meet all your needs while on holiday. The main bedroom can be made up with a generous king-sized bed or twin beds and has an en-suite shower room (with WC, wash basin & shaver point) and also has ample wardrobe and storage space.
The second bedroom can also be made up with a generous king-sized bed or twin beds and also has similarly ample wardrobe and storage space. The third bedroom has a set of full sized bunk beds which can equally comfortably accommodate two children or two adults, and again storage and wardrobe space is ample.
There is a stylishly furnished open plan living and dining area. The living area has two generous sofas, TV, DVD player, CD player & radio and a large picture window from which the views across the loch can be enjoyed.
The larger of the sofas can be made into a double bed which can provide additional accommodation, taking the full capacity to 8 persons. (There is a privacy curtain to separate this area from the dining area when being used as sleeping accommodation, and wardrobe and storage space is available in the large hall cupboard immediately outside the living room door.)
The dining area also enjoys views to the front of the property overlooking the hills and loch. Connecting directly to the dining area is a well appointed kitchen which is fully equipped with all your needs for self-catering while on holiday and which leads to a utility area and the back door.
The main bathroom (in addition to the master bedroom’s en-suite shower and toilet) is bright and contains a fully fitted suite comprising a bath, WC and wash basin with a large mirror, shaver point and ample storage space for all your toiletries.
The pretty garden contains many flowering shrubs and grass areas and there is a sunny, south-facing patio area accessed by the back door. There is parking for two cars and also a shed which can be used for storage of bicycles or muddy/wet walking boots and clothes etc.
A selection of children’s books, games and toys is available in the property, along with a cot and high chair. For adults there is a selection of books, DVD’s and tourist information.
There is mobile phone signal in the property. There is also a landline phone which accepts incoming calls and from which outgoing emergency calls can be made. In addition there is a complimentary WiFi connection.
Your hosts, Graeme & Jude, will warmly welcome you with a generous complimentary welcome pack comprising of home baking, bread, milk, tea, coffee, sugar, butter, and a bottle of wine – all organic, wherever possible.
During your stay they can advise you on the best tourist attractions, local events, walking, wildlife and where to find the best food and drink.
What’s Included?
Unlike many self-catering properties, the fully inclusive hire charges
include all bed-linen and bathroom towels, kitchen towels and cloths,
basic cleaning materials, and also the complimentary welcome pack mentioned
in the introduction.
Electricity is also included, however this has on occasions been abused so we have reluctantly had to limit this to average use and introduce a charge for excessive use of electricity.
Change-overs
The property is normally available weekly from Friday to Friday; weekends
from Friday to Monday or mid-week from Monday to Friday. Occupancy is
from 4 pm on the day of arrival to 10 am on the day of departure, unless
alternative arrangements have been made. For any alternative dates or
entry arrangements, please enquire.
Family Friendly
Children of all ages are warmly welcomed at Fasgadh. Our facilities include
a travel cot ( bring baby’s own bedding), high chair, bath, washer/dryer,
toys, games and books and a grassy back garden. Breakables are easily
stored on higher shelves in the lounge!
Dogs Welcome
We are happy for you to bring your well-behaved dog(s) to Fasgadh. We
can even provide bedding if required. Our only conditions are that you
keep your canine friends off of the furniture and out of the bedrooms
and you clean muddy paws before entering the house (same applies to humans!)
Massage, Yoga and Reiki
Jude is a fully qualified massage and Reiki therapist and Yoga teacher.
For the ultimate chill out– why not book a relaxing massage treatment
in your room or private yoga lesson during your stay? If you have spent
the day walking or cycling, massage is the perfect way to ease tired or
sore muscles.
Massage can be used to promote general wellbeing and enhance self esteem, while boosting the circulatory and immune systems to benefit blood pressure, circulation, muscle tone, digestion and skin tone. It can be relaxing or invigorating as required. Uses unscented or blended aromatherapy oils or lotions.
Reiki involves the transfer of energy from practitioner to client to enhance the body’s natural ability to heal itself through the balancing of energy. It is a holistic natural hands on energy healing system that touches on all levels: body, mind and spirit. Reiki is a Japanese word representing the Universal life energy which is all around us.
Yoga is a centuries old spiritual science focusing on harmony, or synthesis of intellect, heart, mind, body and spirit.We teach traditional Hatha Yoga influenced in parts by the Sivananda, Ashtanga and Iyengar styles of Yoga that we have studied. Classes include asana (postures) meditation and breathing techniques with the emphasis on creating balance and stillness in the body and mind.
Activities
There is a wide variety of cycling and walking in the area. Numerous gardens,
forest trails, and sporting activities (e.g. sailing/boat cruises, golf,
fishing (river & loch), stalking, pony trekking, quad-biking) are
all within easy reach.
A Royal Yachting Association approved sailing and windsurfing school is located nearby in Tighnabruaich. The Tourist Information Centre in Dunoon (25th September-31st March, 09.00-17.00 Mo-Th, 10.00-17.00 Fr & 10.00-16.00 Sa-Su; 1st April-24th September, 09.00-17.30 Mo-Fr & 10.00-17.00 Sa&Su) has up-to-date information on all locally available activities.
Walking
The area is a hill and trail-walker’s paradise with a fantastic
variety of walking to suit all tastes and abilities. Some nearby, recommended
walks are Puck’s Glen, Ardnadam Heritage Trail, Glen Finnart, Ardentinny
Forest and The Cowal Way. You will find some information on walks in the
property and further information is available from the Dunoon Tourist
Information Office.
Cycling
Whether on roads, the designated cycle routes or the many forestry roads
there is cycling to suit all abilities and levels of challenge. There
is general information on cycling locally available in the property, but
please also check with the Dunoon Tourist Information office.
Golf
There are three 9 hole courses (Blairmore and Strone Golf Club’s
pretty course, designed by James Braid, has stunning views down the Firth
Of Clyde (5.9 miles); Innellan Golf Club (7.4 miles) and Kyles Of Bute
Golf Club at Tighnabruaich with beautiful views over the Kyles of Bute
(21.2 miles) and one 18 hole course (Cowal Golf Club (2.7 miles).
Visitors are welcome at any time when there are no competitions on at all four courses, please check current details with the relevant golf club.
Skiing & Snow boarding
When snow conditions are conducive and you fancy a day on the slopes,
Nevis Range and Glencoe ski areas near Fort William are easily reached
for a day’s skiing or snow boarding. See Ski Scotland for details
of the ski areas, snow conditions, equipment hire and passes.
Eating Out
There are several nearby pubs serving food, notably The Cot House Hotel
at the head of the Holy Loch; The Pier Hotel on the opposite side of the
Holy Loch at Kilmun; The Coylet Inn and The Whistlefield Inn, both on
Loch Eck.
In Dunoon there are many pubs, cafes, hotels and restaurants, easily the best of which is Chatters Restaurant. In the summer months (daytime only) the café at Benmore Gardens serves a range of teas, coffees, home baking and hot meals.
Situated in the Holy Loch Marina, there is the Holy Loch Coffee Shop.. Further afield, there are The Colintraive Hotel, Loch Fyne Oyster Bar and the excellent and charming Inver Cottage Restaurant.
Food Shopping
In Dunoon there is a full range of traditional independent shops including
butchers, bakers, delis, outdoor shops, hardware shops, galleries etc
as well as many well known chain names. There is a well stocked health
food store, Eco Health & Grain Store, and a good wine merchant, Argyll
Vintners, both on Hillfoot Street.
On Marine Parade there is a good deli, Delicate Essence, which can also supply ready-cooked gourmet meals. If you wish to be relieved of the necessity to prepare and cook any special meals or dinners, such as birthday or anniversary dinners, Alison Sykora of Real Food Consultancy can be engaged to cater for any special meals you may wish to have prepared and served.
The local game dealer, Winston Churchill, can supply a wide range of high quality venison and game. The two main supermarkets in Dunoon are both open seven days a week, Morrisons, John Street (08.00-20.00 Mo-We & Sa; 08.00-21.00 Th & Fr; 09.00-19.00 Su) and Co-Op, Queen St (08.00-22.00 Mo-Sa; 09.00-19.00 Su).
The Cot House filling station at the head of the Holy Loch has a well stocked licensed convenience store, selling papers, basic groceries etc and is open long hours daily.
There is also a basic convenience store in Sandbank village. Slightly further afield, the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar Seafood Shop sells a wide range of smoked and fresh seafood and game products together with many gourmet groceries, fine wines and beers.
Paddle Steamer Trips
Since the heyday of the paddle steamer in the 1800s, Dunoon’s
Victorian Pier has seen the berthing of every famous Clyde steamer and
countless other vessels as well. The last seagoing paddle steamer in the
world, The PS Waverley, still calls in regularly at Dunoon, Blairmore
and Tighnabruaich piers throughout the summer months.
DIRECTIONS
From the south and east via Glasgow:
Take the M8, A8 & A770 following the signs for Greenock and Gourock.
Look out for the signs (turning right off the A770) for the Caledonian
MacBrayne or Western Ferries ferry terminals at Kempock Point on Gourock
Bay and McInroy’s Point respectively.
Though slightly further on, Western Ferries provides the better service as their sailings are more frequent and depart throughout more of the day than Caledonian MacBrayne and their terminal at Hunter’s Quay is also the nearer to Sandbank on your arrival.
On arrival at Western Ferries ferry terminal turn right onto the A815 coast road and stay on it until you come to the Holy Loch Marina. Just after the Holy Loch Marina you will arrive at a T-junction (note your mileage) where you should turn right, taking you through the centre of Sandbank village.
After 0.4 miles from the T-junction (at the only> lamp-post on the seaward side of the road) turn left and Fasgadh will be facing you on your left hand side.
If using Caledonian MacBrayne, again turn right onto the A815 coast road on leaving the ferry terminal. Almost immediately you will come to a mini-roundabout where you should take the first exit onto the A885 which is the main road (Argyll Street) running through the centre of Dunoon.
Continue straight ahead at the traffic lights (note your mileage), leaving Dunoon and travelling through Sandbank village. After 2.8 miles from the traffic lights (at the only lamp-post on the seaward side of the road) turn left and Fasgadh will be facing you on your left hand side.
We are currently awaiting delivery of signs which will be erected on the property and at the roadside. We will inform you of what to look out for when they are erected.
From the north and west:
Approach by way of the A82 & A83 (north) or A83 (west) and take the
turning onto the A815 at Cairndow. Follow the A815 from Cairndow through
St Catherines & Strachur. After 0.9 miles from the Sandbank sign (at
the only lamp-post on the seaward side of the road) turn right and Fasgadh
will be facing you on your left hand side.
We are currently awaiting delivery of signs which will be erected on the property and at the roadside. We will inform you of what to look out for when they are erected.
Scenic Route From Glasgow:
You can also take a very beautiful, scenic route which will take only
approximately 15 minutes longer than the motorway and ferry route above.
Leave Glasgow on the M8 heading west in the direction of Greenock and
Gourock.
At Junction 30 take the turn-off signposted to Erskine Bridge and Dumbarton. Cross the bridge (toll-free) and turn left onto the A82. Continue on the A82 following signs for Loch Lomond & Crianlarich and then, at Tarbet take the A83 following the signs for Arrochar & Cairndow.
Just before Cairndow turn left onto the A815 and then follow the directions above for approaching from the north and west.
Email Fasgadh enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
