Ardno House

Whether it is activity or relaxation you are looking for, Ardno House offers you the perfect base to enjoy the breath-taking splendour of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. The area has something for everyone, and the suggestions below just scratch the surface of what you can do. 

There are numerous historic sites all around the area. The monument to the Appin Murder, the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's "Kidnapped", is situated on the hillside only a short walk behind Ardno House and it is only a short drive to the scene of the tragic Massacre of Glencoe. 

Museums include the Glencoe Folk Museum, the West Highland Museum in Fort William, Invergarry and Fort Augustus railway museum,  Treasure of the Earth crystals, gemstone and fossil museum and Clan Cameron Museum. And the area also affords fantastic opportunities for those tracing their clan history.

The area is not known as "The outdoor capital of the UK" for nothing. You can take advantage of the varied and exciting recreational opportunities all year round. 

The towering mountain peaks above Glencoe and the surrounding area are magnets for hill walkers, ramblers, and serious mountaineers alike. Local guides like Infinity Mountain Guides and Rich Mountain Experiences can help enhance your experience of the mountains safely.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Glencoe Visitor Centre offers a dramatic backdrop for climbing and walking and the centre offers information, guided events, café, shop and exhibition. 

In winter, skiing, snowboarding, and sledging are available and the Glen Coe Resort has both the longest and the steepest ski run in Scotland.

A short drive to the north is Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis (4,406ft). There is no more rewarding climb, with magnificent views in all directions. The Nevis Range Mountain Experience  at Aonach Mhor operates the only mountain gondola in the UK throughout the year and hosts the World Downhill Mountain Biking Championships each year.

For cyclists there is a growing route of cycle paths, and the Caledonia Way, National Route 78 of the National Cycling Network runs directly in front of Ardno House offering some wonderfully scenic loch and mountain views. Cycle hire is available from Offbeat Bikes or Nevis Cycles 

At Woodlands Glencoe you can try archery, Segway, laser clay shooting, hire e-bikes or play golf, or if water activities are more your thing you can cruise the lochs in a variety of craft. Take a sightseeing boat from Fort William with Cruise Loch Linnhe or for adrenalin junkies there are plenty of activities with companies like Vertical Descents and Rugged Paddleboard

For whisky and gin lovers distilleries nearby include:- Ben Nevis, Oban, Ardnamurchan , Nc’Nean and Tobermory, who all offer whisky tours and tastings, and Pixel Spirits at Loch Leven who offer a gin and rum school experience.

The Jacobite “Harry Potter” Steam Train follows the romantic Road to the Isles. The line runs from Fort William through Glenfinnan and on to the West Coast fishing port of Mallaig. There are return trips daily in the summer months.

As well as being an iconic film location for Harry Potter the area is regularly used as a film and tv location and Outlander, James Bond and Braveheart have all been filmed locally.

Day trips to the delightful Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle; Urquhart Castle at Loch Ness or the beautiful Hebridean Islands of Mull and Iona are highlights of any visit to the West Highlands.

Driving south you pass Castles Stalker and Dunstaffnage on the way to the lovely ferry port of Oban which offers day sailings to the Inner Hebridean islands. Take a day trip to Mull with Calmac Ferries and make it a round trip, returning by the short ferry crossing to Lochaline or Kilchoan on Morvern and Ardnamurchan, a spectacularly scenic route. Or take a wildlife watching trip with Seafari or Staffa Tours

Closer to Ardno, visitors can enjoy a scenic walk around the impressive slate quarry in Ballachulish which was quarried for over 250 years until the middle of the 20th century. Whilst there, pop into The Quarry Centre Tourist Information Gift Shop and Café. And if a souvenir of your trip is what you are looking for try Crafts and Things, Glencoe Studio Gallery or the Holroyd Gallery

The area is a magnet for photographers and award winning Glencoe Photography offer individual tuition and group tours if you want to brush up on your skills.

There truly is something for everybody and we regularly hear from our guests that they wish they were staying longer. Start your planning now by booking your rooms at Ardno House.