Gylen Castle

Gylen Castle

Perched high on old sea stacks at the south end of Kerrera, the magnificent Gylen Castle cuts a slim but imposing figure over the Firth of Lorne.
 
Build in 1582 by the Clan McDougall, the castle barely managed 100 years of occupation before it was besieged and burned down in 1647. This happened during the War of Three Kingdoms and sounds like a real life Game of Thrones episode! 
 
When you approach the castle and it's surroundings you cannot help but try and imagine how it was built and what life was like there during its time as an active home and hub.
 
In 2006, Historic Scotland and members of the Clan McDougall funded a partial restoration so that you can now enter the castle and let your mind conjure up even more images of what that time must have been like for those who lived and worked in the iconic building.
 
It's now home to breeding Ravens and some visiting sheep and goats and affords breathtaking views over the many islands dotting the horizon. No visit to Kerrera should skip this amazing landmark.
 
Please see here for a further information about the castle in a detailed blogpost about a very enjoyable family day trip on Kerrera in 2017.
 

Eat & Drink

Eat & Drink

Kerrera Tea Garden

Kerrera Tea Garden serves lunch from Thursdays to Mondays each week from Easter til September (11am - 4pm, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). With a nod to the traditional and the hearty, expect soups from around the world, Scottish stews, home made muffins and cakes as well as hot and cold drinks. 

Further information can be found here: https://kerrerabunkhouse.co.uk/

and the most up to date info will be on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerrerateagarden

Kerrera Marina and the Waypoint Bar & Grill 

If you’re having a day out in Oban, staying in accommodation on the south of Kerrera or just having a leisurely stroll on the island why not include the north end of the Isle of Kerrera in your itinerary.

A foot passenger ferry is available from the North Pier. The ferry timetable is available online and you can book your space too – please visit https://kerreramarina.com/book-a-ferry/ for more information. Alternatively you can call 01631 565 333 for further information or assistance.

During the summer season the Waypoint Bar & Grill offers a unique dining experience with a superb menu and spectacular sunset views over the marina and Oban.

The marina can also cater for parties of up to 46 patrons should you wish to celebrate a special occasion and truly make it memorable.

https://kerreramarina.com/waypoint/

To avoid disappointment we strongly recommend making a reservation.

Ardentive Farm

Ardentrive Farm, at the north end by the marina, run a farm shop and small gallery. They will be sell their Isle of Kerrera beef, lamb and pork, eggs, fruit and veg, (when available) and other island produce too!

http://www.ardentrive.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ArdentriveFarm

 

Balliemore Farm Shop

A small family run farm on the isle of Kerrera, just off Oban on the West coast of Scotland. We produce and sell our own beef, pork, lamb.

https://www.facebook.com/balliemorefarmkerrera

Hiking & Walking Routes

Hiking & Walking Routes

Central and Southern Circuit

Kerrera has a delightful ready made 10km circuit that starts and finishes at the main ferry port in the middle of the island.

If you head south on the circular walk you'll take in the Sound of Kerrera and then drop down with stunning views out towards Mull, Colonsay and the Garvellachs. The excellent Kerrera Tea Garden is approx 3.5km from the ferry serving home cooked goodies to fuel your wander. The magnificent Gylen Castle is a few minutes walk, again with some fantastic highland island views including Scarba, Luing, Seil, Jura and Islay.

Heading on round the southern tip of Kerrera past Ardmore yet more incredible vistas await you with a peek up Loch Spelvie and Mull's magical mountains. These blend with the hills of Morven and are detailed by the long slip of Lismore. Beyond lie stacks of Highland Munroes as far as the eye can see.

Cutting back inland you are afforded an amazing look up to the twin peaks at Cruachan, before you descent down to the ferry port.

This walk can be done in either direction although some believe that heading anti-clockwise ensures the hills are in your favour but be aware, there are a few of them. Decent footwear is recommended.

It's worth noting that Kerrera is pretty much a huge sheep and cattle farm. With that in mind we politely request that you leave gates as you find them and keep dogs on a lead.

North End Adventure

You can reach the North end of Kerrera and the lovely Waypoint Bar and Grill by ferry from central Oban. From there you can walk south following the Sound of Kerrera Coast or cut inland and loop round the East coast past shell bay. Both are much more off road and without a track in parts but again reward you with some amazing views and up close wildlife.

Get In Touch

Please use the email address below to contact the Isle of Kerrera Development Trust. For all other contact details please see the Directory page.