With comparative examples from across Scotland, particularly communities like ours in Argyll, ForArgyll again covers the sale and future of the Glendaruel Hotel, mentioning the effect the lack of a hostelry has had on local business, the Cowal Way and ColGlen Shinty Club.

http://forargyll.com/2009/05/what-has-happened-to-the-glendaruel-hotel/

Book Launch, Heritage Walks, BBQ, Ceilidh

Guided/Bussed Walks

The Whisky Trail

‘Wanted’! Smugglers in Glendaruel. Join The Walking Theatre Company for an intrepid romp through wild woodland to a ruined village. Keep the secrets of the Glen from the Excise men! Come and be a part of Scottish history through this interactive play which spans 200 years and a struggle for power after the Act of  Union!  Sponsored by The Heritage Lottery Fund.
Register in Hall, 2.30 pm
The Abandoned Village of Kildavain
A walk to the abandonned village above the West Road, guided by Michael Kaufman.
Register in Hall, 2.45 pm
Cruach Mhor Wind Farm
Take the free bus up the hill to wander around the turbines.  Bus or walk back
Register in Hall, from 2 pm (by request)
Owl Walk
A walk to visit owl chicks in boxes in the Glendaruel area, guided by expert Arthur French
Register in Hall, 7pm
(12 maximum)

“Free-Range” Walks

Home Farm walks
Enjoy the newly formed walks around Home Farm Steadings or visit the historical buildings and former site of Glendaruel House and Estate.

Maps and display available in Hall
Old Chapel open to public by kind permission of Anne Ferguson
Glendaruel House and Old Chapel

BOOK LAUNCH
4.45 pm - Join us for the official of the new Guide, published by Rucksack Readers, by Michael Russell, MSP, Minister for Culture, The Constitution and External Affairs.

Catering
Teas, Coffees and Homebaking
In aid of Kilmodan Primary School Funds from 2pm to 6pm
Bar from 4.30 - midnight
Winston Churchill’s Barbeque & Soup from 6pm

Entertainment (music from 5.30 pm)

Ceilidh with Canned Haggis
£5 per adult, children 16 or under free
Raffle
7pm

Free bus available (book in Hall or phone 0774 800 3351)
from Colintraive – 6 pm and 8 pm, return on request, last return bus midnight available from Tighnabruaich or Strachur if booked in by 4 pm

The Cowal Way now runs all the way from Portavadie to Inveruglas, Loch Lomond – all 57 miles of it! (92km). This makes it possible to walk all the way from the  Mull of Kintyre to Inverness (excepting intervening sea crossings unless you are very special!) but there are ferries…

The new Rucksack Readers guidebook to the Cowal Way can now be pre-ordered

To mark this exciting development an afternoon of fun and activities has been organised, based at the Glendaruel Village Hall.

Why not join us on Saturday 16th May 2009, from  1400hrs?

·         Guided and non-guided walks

·         The Walking Theatre Company – ‘Whisky Walk’ (terrain not child buggy friendly!)

·         Refreshments available from 1400hrs – teas, coffees and home baking

·         New guidebook for the Cowal Way to be ‘launched’ by Michael Russell MSP (be among the first to buy a copy!)

·         Barbeque by Winston Churchill

·         Bar from 1730hrs

·         Ceilidh with Canned Haggis

For more information on the Cowal Way and the 16th May events see www.cowalway.com

Visitors to the glen will be warmly welcomed.

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For reasons too complex to detail here, but not the least being the uncertain future of  The Glendaruel Hotel, it was decided by the committee not to hold a Cowal Way Day at the Clachan this May. However, the ever resourceful Nick Lewis suggested that we hold a Midsummer Music Festival instead. To quote him, “The people I’ve got on board so far are all songwriters, so I’m thinking of going with that angle. Five bands / performers with DJ sets and an hour or so of Ceilidh dancing courtesy of Gramps to finish off. Hopefully we can put a barbie on or something.”

So, what d’ye think? Any suggestions or offers of help to Nick, Gramps, Annie or Michael. All culinary offers of help to Ann Lamb.

The celebration of the Cowal Way took place in the Clachan of Glendaruel on Saturday 5th May. This vibrant and popular community-led event now in its fourth year draws visitors and locals alike to the Glen and each year succeeds in raising the awareness of this remarkable, remote and truly breath-taking walk. Running the length of the Peninsula, the walk covers 47 miles and climbs 5050 ft (1540 m) along the way, drawing together some of Cowal’s most beautiful and remote landscapes.

Starting in the South West at Portavadie beside Loch Fyne and ending in the North East at Ardgartan by Loch Long, the ’spine’ of the Cowal Way is separated into six sections of varying length and difficulty with an additional seven circular walks, each linked to the main route. Wildlife, spectacular scenery, forest plantations, moorland, prehistoric and heritage sites are but a few of the focal points on a route which is detailed in full in the Cowal Way Guide Book. (more…)