Although I am back to work now and therefore back to normality, writing blog posts about my trip gives me a chance to reminnis about what was a very enjoyable holiday. After spending a short time on Skye and a week on North Uist ( post coming soon!) ,we fancied a few days on the equally lovely Scottish mainland.
I had booked a cabin in Kilmartin Glen in the heart of Argyll using airbnb. The 1930s hut resembles a wooden train carriage and stands in a small orchard next to the owners garden. Costing a very reasonable £170 for 3 nights, the cosy cabin was full of thoughful touches, including a vintage style radio, a wood burning stove and a cupboard brimming with books and games.
The tiny village of Slockavullin where our accommodation was located is almost hidden away, nestled in woodland amongst the many ancient monuments ( 800 apparently! ) that reside in historic Kilmartin Glen. A thirty minute walk will lead you to the slightly larger village of Kilmartin ,where there is a village pub, café and museum.
It was very easy to fall in love with the cabin. Its shape definitely reminded me of a train carriage or even the showman’s wagon in Cornwall that we stayed in a couple of years ago. ‘The Duke’ at Spring Park ~ Our stay in a Showman’s Wagon.
However this cosy retreat was purpose built as a cabin and the present owners have lovingly created a darling holiday home from it.
One quirky touch was the outdoor bath-tub , the water can be heated by lighting a fire underneath. However I never did get round to trying an alfresco dip!
Hugo was eager to explore of course! There are plentiful walks on the doorstep, many lead you past ancient burial cairns, standing stones and stone circles.
On our walks we saw lots of……hooded crows. To be honest I got quite excited as there are none in my neck of the woods. 🙂
And your never very far from a Highland Cow. The hardy breed originated in the Hebrides and the Highlands and is now found all over the world.
A short drive from Slockavullin is Dunadd Fort, the Iron-age remains are a steep clamber up a rocky outcrop, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Ancient Gaelic Kings were created here and the Footprint of Fealty was believed to be part of the Dal Riata Kingdoms coronation ritual. They must have had quite small feet though!
2km North of Kilmartin village is Carnasserie Castle, a ruined 16th-Century tower house.
Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve is one of the last wild, raised bogs left in Britain. 242 species of lichens have been recorded here and the reserve is home to the marsh fritillary butterfly and two pairs of nesting hen harriers.
And your never to far from the coast. Crinan Ferry Beach is a long walk or a short drive from the cabin. In the old days a little ferry took sheep and cattle over the estuary. I have a blog post waiting to be written about a lovely walk we did along the picturesque Crinan Canal.
But for now, back to our holiday abode, where the apples and plums in the orchard tempted me to make a crumble. And hot chocolate with marshmallows were very kindly supplied by the owners, as well as fresh milk, eggs, oatcakes, jams, juice and cereals. 🙂
And after a packed day of exploring, little Hugo was always happy to snuggle by the wood burner. 🙂
Future Scotland Posts will include our week in the Outer Hebrides and Britain’s most beautiful shortcut. 🙂
You visit the most amazing places! Note to self: travel more in 2019.
That spot is truly idyllic. Beautiful holiday. I even fancy Hugo’s bed.
I know! Hugo was very snoozy after exploring the Glen. 🙂
What a beautiful spot!! I’m going to use your site as a tour guide next time I’m in the UK. I have a tub on my front lawn too but use the sun for heat!! It’s my swimming pool!!
Haha, I like it! 😁😁
Love the outdoor bath idea. Looking forward to reading your outer Hebrides journal.
Thank you. I will check out your Iona posts today. 🙂 x
wow, what a beautiful spot! Looks as if you were very cosy and such gorgeous scenery! Look forward to seeing more of your trips soon.
Hope the next term is good for you and you aren’t too busy!
What a wonderful holiday! I wouldn’t have tried that bath either! 😀
I’ve tried a wood fueled hot tub before and that got way to hot. I do regret not giving the bath a go though. X
A bit like simmering in a cauldron on I should imagine 😀
Yes exactly! Couldn’t stop in very long. 🤣
What a spot! Fab pics and enticing write-up. In love with Hugo!
Aw, thanks! X
Very nice place I like the cabin.
It was a very homely place to stay. X
Lovely! Despite having been to Kilmartin Glen a couple of times, Slockavullin has passed me by! Or I’ve passed it by – hidden as you say!
Its just a tiny vilage , nothing there really apart from a few ancient burial cairns and stone circles and a few houses and one cosy hut. 🙂
We went to all the circles and cairns – possibly saw the houses and didn’t notice they were a separate village.
Thats possibly true. Did you go to the Crinan Canal? We only discovered it on the last day of our holiday.
Yes, in fact the first time we went to Kilmartin we were staying in the hotel at the far end of the canal. It’s lovely round there.
Oh lovely. It did look a nice place. We had a short walk from the harbour and it was so nive to walk with the canal on one side and the sea on the other. X
Wow that was very reasonable for three nights stay. Looks very cosy. It looks like you had a fab holiday 🙂 x
It was a bargain Christine. Just my cup of tea, somewhere quirky in the countryside. 🙂 x
Kilmartin is a great place. We came across it once, accidentally, can’t even recall where we were going (or been!) but I saw the signs for ancient monuments and I love that kind of thing.
There are loads in that glen Andy. Can’t walk anywhere without stumbling onto an ancient burial cairn or stone circle.
Lovely post & it makes me want to explore more of Scotland when we visit UK again. Love the chalet cabin, a bit roomier than our 16ft caravan we take away. Thanks for sharing & look forward to seeing more of your trip. Take care.
Thanks Susan. Yes it was bijou but definitely roomier than a caravan. 😁x
Lovely post! So glad you enjoyed your time in Scotland, sounds like Hugo loved it! Will look out for your Hebrides posts 🙂 🙂 x
Thanks. 🙂 I remember reading a post you did about stopping on a Scottish Island. Which one was it again? X
It was Islay, and had a day on Jura from there too. They were really both beautiful islands. Been to Skye too though a couple of times and really love it, so many lovely memories there, and to the Uists when stayed on Benbecula for a week when I was at school. I remember them all being so beautiful so look forward to reading! Xx
Oh you have been all over! I am slowly writing my North Uist post. Doing a lot of procrastinating here. I would love to visit Islay and Jura one day too and spend more time on Skye. So many islands…
Such a cosy cabin, not sure about the outdoor bath though! ☺ Argyll is full of history and quirky places to explore, looking forward to reading about your island hopping too. X
Thank you. Enjoyed my time in Argyll. Will definitely have to revisit as saw such a small part. 🙂 x
This little cabin looks wonderful. Outdoor bathing might be a little bit out of my comfort zone, though- haha! Looks wonderfully peaceful and relaxing.
Like others have commented, that was a cool place to stay. A little like one of those glamping Kabins you see these days, only somewhat larger. Looks like a nice, peaceful, area too. I’ve never strayed that far.
It was an interesting area to visit. Lots of history and of course gorgeous scenery. The cabin made it for me though. 😊
This sounds like a trip I’d have very much enjoyed! I’d love to see a hooded crow and there are so many places I’d love to visit in Scotland. I have stayed in a few Airbnb places now, you can find some great places on there! I look forward to reading about your trip to the Outer Hebrides.
Airbnb are great arnt they. The cabin was really a good find. You would love Scotland. Lots of walking and wildlife. Just your cup of tea. X
ooks like a fantastic spot!