We are delighted to now have a Games Room in one of our re-built sheds.  This has a table tennis table and a few other games, for those wet days!  Parent supervision required.

Our own children are 3 and 5, so I'm afraid most of the information here is suitable for them, as well as older children. Please let us know if you find something else that's particularly good with teenagers.

Loch Etive Cruise to see the seals.- 01866 822410

10.00 and 12.00 for 1.5 hour cruise up Loch Etive to see the seals. Adults £5, children £3, family £13. Take warm, waterproof clothing even when the weather looks nice, and binoculars.

From our house, walk out of the gate, turn right down the track and right again when you meet the tarmac road. Continue to the end which leads to the pier.

Inverawe Smokery - 01866 822 446

See tea-rooms. Kids love it.

Oban Seal and Marine Centre - Benderloch - 01631 720 386

Lots of sea life seen from the side of aquariums, and also some outside. There's Seals etc, and new for 2002, otters. Tearoom, giftshop and outside assault course and baby swings. Prices: £6 per adult. We have money off vouchers in our reception area, and you can pick them up in Oban on the reverse of parking tickets.

25 minutes by car. From Taynuilt turn right onto the A85, turn left in Connel signed to Fort William. Over the Connel bridge, through Benderloch, it is signed to your left.

Rare Breeds Farm Park - Connel - 01631 770 608

Lots of cuddly animals to feed and stroke, particularly sheep and goats, a lama, friendly deer, rabbits and guinea pigs It also has a Tearoom with a spectacular view.  Open mid March to end of October 10.00 to 18.00.  November and December at weekends only 11.00 to 16.00

20 minutes by car - From Taynuilt turn right to Oban on the A85. At Connel turn left signed to Fort William and Rare breeds park'. Within 100 yards turn right, signed to Rare Breeds Park. Carry along this single track road for a few miles and turn right, also signed to Oban. The farm is on your right.  Adults £5, children & concession £3.50.  A bag of food for the animals £1.

Ganavan Beach - Oban

A sandy beach for exploring. Dogs not permitted.

25 minutes by car. From Taynuilt turn right onto the A85. Into Oban turn right at the first and second roundabouts, signed to Ganavan. The beach is a few miles down at the end of the road. The caravan site charges you to park.

Tralee Beach – Benderloch

Miles of clean sandy beach and shallow waters.  This is where we tend to go ourselves.  Dogs permitted

20 minutes by car.  From Taynuilt head for Oban on the A85.  Before you come to Oban, take the turn off left in Connel signed for Fort William .  This takes you round and over the Connel railway Bridge .  Go through Benderloch, and turn left at the end, signed for Tralee Beach .  After a mile there is an indisript car park on the right. Park here and walk down to the beach opposite, about half a mile walk.  Alternatively, park in the village of benderloch by the Lora Café, and follow the signs to walk from there to the beach.  About ¾ mile.

Barcaldine Castle - Benderloch - 01631 720 598

Nicely done out, with games for children in most rooms and a Tearoom. Prices 2002: £3.25 for adults, £2.95 for children and £2.65 for Concessions. Free cup of Tea per 2 adults paying in June and September.

From Benderloch, turn left towards Tralee, and keep following the road round till you get there. Parking on the right, the castle on the left.

Tralee Rally Karting – 01631 720 297

Little Marcos - Fort William 01397 700707

A ball park with slides, tunnels and bouncy castle, all indoors. Adults and under one free, children under three 50p per half hour, over three 75 p per half hour.

1.5 hours by car. Drive to Fort William, take the ring road round the centre, along the water. At the next roundabout go straight on as for Safeways, next roundabout right as for Safeways, then past the Safeways turnoff, and the leisure centre is on your left. Parking just beyond. You pay at the bar in the entrance.

Mull Railway & Torosay Castle - Ferry terminal 01631 566688 to book your ticket

Impressive Gardens and castle, as well as the Mull narrow gauge railway line. Take the 10.00 ferry from Oban, and return on the 15.00 for a short visit with kids, or take the Mull experience tour (see islands section). When you buy your ferry ticket at Oban, ask to include the railway and entrance to the castle. £8.70 for an adult return, half price for kids.

Tobermory Handmade Chocolate - 01688 302 526 - www.tobermorychocolate.co.uk

You can leave your kids here for half an hour while they make chocolate! Their courses are normally run from 11.00 on Tuesday and Thursday, but you have to book in advance.

They are situated at the north side of the bay, up a left backstreet, and 20 yards to your right (it's signed). To get to Tobermory, see your options in the Island Excursion section to Mull (Tobermory is Mull's capital, the prettiest fishing village on the West Coast).

What's the story in Ballamory

Every kid knows about Balamory.  Well, it is filmed in Tobermory on Mull and you can see all the houses that the characters live in.  For how to get there see the Island Excursion section.

Atlantis Leisure Centre - Oban 01631 566800

Swimming pool, and soft play during the summer.  Please check the opening times, particularly during term time.  Adult £2.80, child £1.80, under 2 free for an hour's swim.  Soft play, £1 per child.  You can also eat or just have a coffee at Atlantis.  We’re often around Atlantis ourselves, for our kids to swim, and Renate does some voluntary work for their Committee.

25 mins by car.  From Taynuilt head right on the A85 to Oban.  Coming down the hill into Oban, turn left where it is signed, then left at the next T junction.  Turn right onto the car park.  This is also Oban's free car park.

Oban Ceramics - 01631 565 400

Make your own ceramics. It looks good in the shop window. From about age 6 up.  Open usually from 10 am to 6 pm.  You pay per item that you paint, and a one off firing fee.

When you leave Oban, you drive along the shop fronted bay, then you turn left, and along the next promenade it's on the left hand side next to the post office.

Oban Zoological World - 01631 562 481

Monkeys, meerkats, snakes, wallabies, all the things you see around the highlands!  Summer opening 10.00 to 18.00.  October to March: 11.00 to 15.00.  Adults £4.80, children £3.25

30 mins by car.  Take the A 816 south from Oban to Lochgilphead for about 1 mile.  Turn right signed to 'Lerags', and it's on your right.

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park - www.safari-park.co.uk

Just to get your adventure park fix in.  Adults £8.50, consessions £4.50. Open end March to 30 Sept  10.00 to 17.30.