Please see the website www.gardens-of-argyll.co.uk for more detailed information

Achnacloich - Taynuilt (pronounced ach-na-kloych)

These are open under the 'Gardens for Scotland' charity scheme. Very nice formal and informal gardens, woodlands and lochans. It takes about an hour or more to go round. They also sell plants, in particular rhododendrons. Well worth it, if you only visit one garden, make sure it is this one.

10 minutes by car. From Taynuilt take the A85 to Oban, past Fearnoch you go under a railway arch, and it is immediately to your right. There are yellow signs up from the main road when it is open. Pay £1.50 per person in the honesty box in front of the house.  Dogs allowed.

Barguillan's Angus' Gardens - Glen Lonan, Taynuilt - 01866 822333

Also under the 'Gardens for Scotland' charity scheme. A woodland garden with many places to sit in peace, pondering over the lochan and a play area for children. Open all year, 0900 to 1800 - no facilities.

10 minutes by car. From Taynuilt cross over the A85, taking the minor road on the left of Taynuilt Inn. Continue up this road, past the nursery turn right onto the track, signed to the Garden. Where the track bears left carry straight on (right) and park here. £2.50 for adults.  Dogs allowed.

Ardanasaig Gardens (pronounced ard-na-seg)

Lovely gardens on a lochside position, with an enormous walled garden.  Direction as for hotel, see teashops.  Honesty box.

Kinlochlaich (pronounced kin-loch-lee) Gardens - Appin - 01631 730 342 - www.kinlochlaich-house.co.uk 

A combination of garden centre and walled gardens. Very friendly.  Entrance fee by donation, £2 per adult.  Open all year 0930 to 1730.

30 minutes by car. From Taynuilt turn right onto the A 85, turn left in Connel signed to Fort William. Over the Connel bridge, 20 km north you enter the village of Appin, and it is at the far end, signed to turn to your right.

Arduaine Gardens (pronounced Ar-doo-nie) - National Trust for Scotland - you can use Tesco vouchers here if you apply for them in advance

Set up last century as a haven by a Preston-Campbell (from Inverawe), these gardens are rich in rhododendrons, woodland and formal areas. There are many benches and look out points to take in the stunning view over the bay. The hotel serves excellent coffees, teas and lunches with large picture windows over the bay (or outside on the terrace). Admittance is free to National Trust for England and Scotland members. Concessionary available.

1  hours by car. From Taynuilt take the A85 to Oban, go through Oban and follow the A816 to Lochgilphead. 45 km south of Oban it is signed to your right.  Dogs not allowed.  Adults £3 (2001 prices)

Ardkinglas Gardens - 01499 600 261 - www.ardkinglas.com 

A garden that claims to have the tallest tree in Scotland.  It's on a hillside, with several lengths of walks.  Admittance £3 per person in honesty box.  The garden is part of the Treeshop establishment, open all year.  Guided walks are available during May to August..

1 hour by car.  From Taynuilt take the A85 towards Crianlarich.  Turn right to Inveraray after Lochawe Village.  Turn right towards Glasgow in Inveraray.  The Treeshop is next to the Loch Fyne Oysterbar on the left after a few miles.  The garden is a few miles on on the right.

Crarae Gardens - National Trust for Scotland - 01546 886614 - info@crarae-gardens.org 

This garden has now been saved from permanent closure by the National Trust for Scotland (2002), and is fully open again.  See rododendrons and azaleas in their endemic landscape.  Set amongst a bubbling stream with several marked out routes, this garden is very different.   Wheelchair access for a small route in the gardens.  Basic refreshments available.  Dogs allowed. Allow at least 2 hours to look round.

1 hour by car.  From Taynuilt take the A 85 towards Crianlarich, and turn right after Lochawe on the road to Inveraray.  Turn right in Inveraray, and continue past the village of Furnace for a few miles.  The gardens are signed to your right.

Ardchattan Priory (pronounced ard-hat-ten) - 01796 481 355

The priory dates back to the 13th century of the Valliscaullian order.  The grounds are under the Gardens for Scotland scheme (entry by donation - free entry to priory).  The head gardener has his own collection of cacti here, that he is always keen to show off.  There is also a tea-room in the pretty courtyard, but it's not always open.  Normal opening times of gardens 1 April to 31 October 0900 to 1800.  Has disabled toilets.

35 mins by car - Turn towards Oban out of Taynuilt.  Turn left to double back on yourself over the Connel bridge towards Fort William.  Turn immediately right after the bridge, signed to the village 'Bonawe'.  Go along here for about 4 miles, and it's on your left.

Glenarn - Isle of Seil - 01852 300 237

Designed in the 1930s, with meandering streams and paths, protected by a 5 m high wall. Includes rare abutilons. Open 1 April to 31 October 1000 to 1800.

45 mins by car - Turn right towards Oban from Taynuilt.  Go through Oban, and head south towards Lochgilphead on the A816.  Turn right to Easedale, and over the Bridge of Atlantic, it's about 8 miles from the Easedale turnoff.

Ardmaddy Castle -

This is just before the Island of Seil, very much tucked away off the beaten track.  There is also a lovely walk in this area going past a 'wishing tree', which is covered in two penny pieces that have been pushed into its bark.

45 mins by car - Turn right towards Oban from Taynuilt.  Go through Oban, and head south towards Lochgilphead on the A816.  Turn right to Easedale, but before the Bridge over the Atlantic you turn left (it's a straight on really), where the road bends to the right.  It's up this track.