Loch and Seakayaking

Fresh water kayaking and rowing boats on Loch Ederline.

We do have sit on top kayaks and paddle boards for guests staying in holiday cottages. These can be used on Loch Ederline which has many places to explore upstream and down stream from the loch. On the loch you can go and explore the old ice house, walled garden and the old game larder where the first Ederline House used to stand. There is also a chapel and grave yard on the Island built in 1727. Great entertainment and lots to look at and see.
The sit on top kayaks are for one person. We provide life jackets which must be worn at all times while on the water. It is best to book them the night before so you know what the weather is doing. The hire of a kayak is £20@ a day.
We do hire out rowing boats if not in use for fishing at £30 a day and the max is three to a boat.

Sea-Kayaking

Sea Kayaking is a fantastic way to see the Scottish coastline of Argyll and the deserted beaches, white sands, sheltered sea lochs and amazing marine wildlife.

The local waters offer fantastic kayaking for all levels and there is a number of experienced guides in this area that can help get you started. You could paddle down the historic Crinan Canal – Scotland’s most stunning waterway? For the experienced paddler, the options are endless. Go on an island adventure around the Slate Islands of Seil, Easdale and Insh, circumnavigate beautiful Gigha or wild and lonely Jura, paddle rings around Bute or explore the coves, beaches and pretty seaside villages of Argyll’s coast line, which is longer than the coast of France!

If you want to book yourself into a week-long course or simply get out there for the day with an expert guide, Argyll and the Isles has a number of well-established companies who will be delighted to help.
www.seakayakingoban.com

• PARTICIPANTS MUST BE ABLE TO SWIM
• PARTICIPANT MUST NOT BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL
• PARTICIPANTS MUST BE OLDER THAN 5 YEARS TO GO IN A ROWING BOAT AND MUST BE WITH AN ADULT IN THE BOAT AT ALL TIMES.
• LIFE JACKETS AND BUOYANCY AIDS PROVIDED AND MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES WHEN USING THE EQUIPMENT.
• PARTICIPANTS MUST BE OVER 7 YEARS TO HIRE A SIT ON KAYAK OR SUP.
• THE GROUP MUST INCLUDE A RESPONSIBLE ADULT.
• PARTICIPANT MUST NOTE MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY OF ANY EQUIPMENT HIRED. IT IS THE PARTICIPANT’S RESPONSIBILITY NOT TO OVERLOAD THE CRAFT. SINGLE KAYAKS ARE LIMITED TO 16 STONE.
• ONLY A MAX OF 3 PERSON IN A ROWING BOAT AND A MAX OF 1 PERSON ONLY ON A SIT ON KAYAK OF SUP. IF YOU ARE UNSURE PLEASE ASK.
• ALL EQUIPMENT MUST STAY ON THE LOCH THEY ARE HIRED ON. A MAP IS PROVIDED.
• ADULT SUPERVISION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL UNDER 18’S. ADULTS ARE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING AND LOOKING AFTER THE YOUNG.
• PARTICIPANT MUST SIGN TO CONFIRM THESE TERMS & CONDTIONS.

• SHOULD THE WEATHER FORECAST INCLUDE HIGH WINDS OR HEAVY RAIN WE WILL NO HIRE OUT ANY EQUIPMENT. .

Ederline Estate has some excellent fishing in numerous remote lochs where you will not see anyone all day! Up on the hill we have a picnic hut with a log burner so you can meet up to discuss the one that got away!

LOCH EDERLINE- is well known for its pike with regular catches over 10LBs. There are also some good sized perch to be caught as well. We ask for landing mats to be used and extractors to remove cleanly all hooks. We do have boats for hire for £20 a day when used just for fishing.

HILL LOCHS- The estate has good wild brown trout fishing in 19 hill lochs with average catches of 8-15 fish a day when the conditions are right. The hill lochs are fly fishing only and may be reached by 4×4 or alternatively you can take your car with care to the top gate and then walk the slightly rougher track to the first hill loch. This is about a two mile scenic walk. There are some boats to hire on three of the larger hill lochs. The oars and the key to the locked gate need to be collected from the main house. This can all be organised when you arrive for your holiday at Ederline. The hire of a boat is £20 a day.

LOCH AWE- There is also fishing on Loch Awe which is 24 miles long and is the longest loch in Scotland. This loch holds the current UK brown trout record of 33lbs caught August 2000.
As well as brown trout in Loch Awe there are rainbow trout, char, perch, pike, salmon and sea trout to fish in season which is from the 15 March to 6 October. All fishing on Loch Awe is covered by a protection order which is enforced by the Loch Awe Improvement Association (LAIA) wardens and tickets can be purchased from Fyne Tackle in Lochgilphead.

All fishing on Ederline Estate is for guests staying on the estate only. There is a charge for bank fishing of £10 a day which can be paid for at the end of your week.

Fyne Tackle in Lochgilphead has all equipment you would need including, bait, flies etc. www.fyne-tackle.co.uk

The perfect spot to pic-nic up at the boat house by Sandy loch. It is always good to set out on a walk with a destination! A stunning remote location to chill out and unwind especially as there is no mobile signal! – Book by prior arrangement to make sure you have it to yourselves and we do ask you leave it clean and tidy when you depart.

Discover the wilderness of Argyll on horseback. Stunning settings around Knapdale, Loch Sween and the coastline. You can bring your own horse or book an adventure at a local riding establishment, of which there are three near by:

On the shore of Loch Sween at Daltote Equestrian Centre they have ponies and horse to suit everyone’s standards. It s all located on a working farm about 12 miles out of Lochgilphead. They also have a 150 acre cross country course, jumping area and access across miles of hills. Good qualified teachers and an approved centre. T: 01546 850246

Our closest riding school to us is at Ardfern, the Lunga Riding Stables. Again this is set in stunning scenery with qualified instructors and can cater to everyone’s abilities. They specialize in western trail riding with the traditional saddles. www.lunga.com

Also Argyll Adventure, if you are visiting Inveraray, has a riding school again on the coast with stunning forestry rides. www.argylladventure.com

We would recommend any of these three riding schools. My children have horses at Ederline and have some of their best days disappearing with a picnic and a pony!!

With its pristine natural setting, unique coastal character and rich history, you ‘ll never run out of things to do in Argyll and the Isles. Dine on the freshest seafood and savour some of the world’s most famous Scotch whiskies.

Be spellbound by the region’s magnificent birdlife, be it the sight of a magnificent sea eagle, an elusive corncrake or a thousand-strong flock of barnacle geese. Sail into secluded anchorages and watch the night sky glitter. Kayak in turquoise waters and walk in the wilderness. Marvel at early standing stones and visit castles of the famous clans. You’ll be spoilt for choice in this glorious region.

• www.exploreargyll.co.uk for activities around Argyll
• www.oban.org.uk for activities around Oban
• www.inverarayjail.com
• www.inveraray-castle.com
• www.visitcruachan.co.uk
• www.sealsanctuary.co.uk/oban1.html
• www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/lochawe/kilchurncastle
• www.midargyllcycleclub.co.uk
• www.obanseakayakguides.com
• www.seakayakingoban.com
• www.kilmartin.org
• www.scottishbeavers.org.uk

There are a number of fine gardens open to the public, which thrive in the gulf stream conditions. Stonefield Castle, Crarae, Duntrune Castle, Arduaine and Achamore garden on the Isle of Gigha are all in easy reach.

www.gardens-of-argyll.co.uk

The group comprises 18 gardens varying in size, style and maturity, dating from the 13th to the 20th century. They are spread throughout the mainland of Argyll, often in dramatic scenery, and to the islands of Bute, Gigha, and Seil.There are many outstanding plants to be discovered including species rhododendrons, magnolias and fine specimens of conifer, some of which are the largest trees in Britain.

The Argyll gardens comprises 18 gardens varying in size, style and maturity, dating from the 13th to the 20th century. They are spread throughout the mainland of Argyll, often in dramatic scenery, and to the islands of Bute, Gigha, and Seil.

There are many outstanding plants to be discovered including species rhododendrons, magnolias and fine specimens of conifer, some of which are the largest trees in Britain.

We are so lucky to have a number of great restaurants under half an hours drive from Ederline. We have good pub grub and the finest seafood.

Kilmartin Hotel – PA31 8RQ Tel – 01546510250 Good pub Grub

Bridgend Horse Shoe Pub – PA31 8QA Tel – 01546606369 Good Pub Grub

Ardfern Crafty Kitchens – PA318QN – Open all day cafe also serving lunches.

Tayvalich Inn – Excellent seafood set by the sea.

Crinan Hotel – 01546830261 – Excellent seafood bar situated by the end of the canal which goes out into the sea.

Cairnbaan Hotel – PA31 8SJ – Good food and situated by the Crinan Canal.

Eeusk in Oban which is 45 mins away is excellent for seafood and has a second restaurant which has delicious pizzas and pasta dishes. 01546510250