Email
Cuilfail Hotel enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in and around Oban
Nestling at the foot of rolling hills close to the shores of Loch Melfort
and dating from 1840, Cuilfail Hotel is a splendid former coaching inn,
one of the oldest hotels on the west coast.
Part of the hotel was originally an old drovers’ inn, however the majority of the hotel was built during the Victorian era and many features of that period have been preserved.
The name Cuilfail (pronounced “cool-fail”) in Gaelic appropriately means “Sheltered Corner”.
A magnificent display of ivy bedecks the hotel building with quite amazing colour for most of the summer and autumn months. As soon as you enter this charming little hotel you will be struck by its homely highland feel. This rather infectious highland ambience provides a superbly stress-free, unhurried environment.
Cuilfail Hotel Accommodation
The Cuilfail has 12 spacious bedrooms, all with en-suite facilities with WC, wash basin, shower or bath, individually controlled central heating, tea and coffee making facilities and colour television. There is a choice of double or twin bedrooms along with two "family suites" both with a separate adjoining children's room.
Children welcome
Children are welcome all year round with a reduced B&B charge made
for children under 16 sharing parent’s room.
Pet Policy
Pets are welcome by prior arrangement only - owners are responsible for
their good conduct. Daily charges apply for dogs.
Dining
For the owners Yvonne O’Shea and Simon Fletcher, excellent cuisine
is a top priority. Two contrasting dining areas provide the perfect setting
for enjoying delicious uncomplicated Scottish cuisine. The Ceann
Mòr Restaurant is a spacious light room which gets its
name from the surrounding hillside visible through the large sash windows.
The inn is one of the area’s most popular and favourite country eating out experiences. Much of the produce used, including wonderful Scotch beef, comes from the surrounding farms and the local farmers are very discerning about how their endeavours are presented and flavoured on the plate. They are some of the inn’s most regular customers so there is a local recommendation if ever there was one!
The public rooms, while deceptively spacious and plentiful, preserve the intimacy and easy friendliness of the place. There’s an authentic village bar with its real fire, imposing fireplace and stone walls, a cosy “snug” lounge area, a games room, the residents “whisky lounge” and a grand function room with wood panelling and vaulted ceiling.
On offer at the Cuilfail is a good range of ales aperitifs and malt whiskies naturally specializing in those originating from the west coast of Scotland and the western Isles. The residents' lounge is a grand room full quite lovely atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.
Bars
The public rooms, while deceptively spacious and plentiful, preserve the
intimacy and easy friendliness of the place - an authentic village pub,
a cosy ’snug’ lounge area, a games room, a grand lounge with
open fire and an imposing fireplace, and two delightful restaurant and
dining rooms - all you would expect in the traditional inn which is its
unmistakable style.
And for good measure, excellent traditional and simple local Scottish cuisine, good wines and an excellent selection of malt whiskies.
The Poachers Bar, also featuring an open fire, and the original stone walls and floor, stocks a wide range of ales, aperitifs, liqueurs and malt whiskies, naturally specializing in those originating from the west coast of Scotland and the Western Isles.
The Residents' Lounge is a grand room full of baronial character and classic elegance, with a quite lovely atmosphere of peace and tranquility. This wonderfully contrasting room is also available for small private events and celebrations, and is a magnificent atmosphere in which to relax over a pre or post-prandial drink. Board games are also available in plentiful supply.
Special Occasions
With a fascinating history and intriguing legends, Scotland is a perfect
choice for those looking for a stunning honeymoon location. And a Scottish
honeymoon here in the stunning West Highlands is your chance to experience
the wild, romantic beauty of this glorious area.
Scotland is one of the world's most romantic destinations and ideal country for that "special" trip, whether it is a honeymoon, wedding anniversary, or other special romantic occasion or escape. Even before a visit to Scotland, this country, its people and its history can worm its way into most hearts.
Why not visit us here at Cuilfail, and see if the magic of Scotland, and the stunning, world famously scenic West Highlands in particular - does not inspire you to great passions too! The idyllic Western Isles on the doorstep - simply special.
Out & About
The Cuilfail Hotel will appeal to visitors who wish to relax in peaceful
highland countryside and be near a wide range of activities and places
of interest. The Cuilfail is just 14 miles from Oban - "The Gateway
to the Isles", with craft and souvenir shops, Oban distillery, visitor
centre, Miniatures Museum and Sea World.
Close to the hotel there are many places of historic interest, including castles of Kilchurn and Inveraray. Also nearby are the National Trust for Scotland's gardens at Arduaine, An Cala Gardens at Easdale and Crarae Glen Gardens at Inveraray.
By car the following are all within easy reach:
· Arduaine gardens
· Loch Awe side
· Inveraray with its many attractions including the famous 19th
century Inveraray Jail
· Carinasse Castle, Kilchurn castle, and Castle Sween
There are attractive rambles and strolls from the hotel over the surrounding countryside or alongside Loch Melfort offering spectacular views out to the islands. For the more adventurous there are ample hill walking possibilities including several Munros.
Walk from the hotel to waterfalls, the shore, some interesting rock formations, over the hill and onto the pass of Melfort, up to some of the many hill lochs that abound in this area.
Cycle from the hotel to the Isle of Seil with its bridge over the Atlantic via Degnish and some amazing views. Cycle to loch Avich and the cycle trails waterfall and loch Awe.
The hotel can also arrange fishing permits on the local lochs, horse riding and pony trekking, water sports, canoeing, dingy sailing and windsurfing.
There are also boat trips out to the nearby islands of Shuna, Scarba, the Garvellach Islands and Jura. These cruises provide the opportunity to observe local wildlife including seals, porpoises, whales, otters and a wide variety of birds.
Come along and catch the West Highland atmosphere!
History
The hotel is one of the oldest hotels on the west coast of Scotland. The
main part of the hotel was built onto an old drovers inn around about
1840, the drovers inn is much older and is now our cosy and unique bar.
The hotel was built to provide for the fishing in the many hill lochs
of the area and retains many of its original Victorian features.
DIRECTIONS
We are located conveniently on the A816, 15 miles south of Oban in the
little village of Kilmelford, near the shore of loch Melfort in the western
Highlands.
By Car:
A number of wonderful options, incorporating great touring, will get you
here easily.
From the North
Take the A82 to Fort William then the glorious coastal road to Oban via
Appin, then continue south on the A826 - Kilmelford and the hotel are
around 15 miles south.
From Glasgow and the South
Three superb options dependent on your taste and time: -
From Glasgow go to Gourock (M8 for Greenock) then the ferry to Dunoon and north through the Mid Argyll area to Inveraray and onward to Oban via Loch Fyne and Lochgilphead. Quite wonderful, and varied.
Take the Loch Lomond road to Tarbet then the Arrochar A83 road to Inveraray then choose either the main road via Lochgilphead to Kilmartin and Kilmelford as above or the little winding road north signposted for Oban from the town of Inveraray, which joins the main Crianlarich to Oban road via Dalmally.
Or - highly recommended - take the Loch Lomond A82 road all the way to Crianlarich then turn west along the spectacular A85 Oban road via Loch Awe and Cruachan, then into Oban and south on the A816 to Kilmelford.
By Train
The world famous West Highland Line has regular daily services from Glasgow
Queen Street direct to Oban.
Email Cuilfail Hotel enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
