Things To Do Around Easdale Island
Seafari Adventures offers wildlife and nature boat trips to see whales, porpoises, sea birds from Easdale. You can experience the Gulf of Corryvreckan, home of the World’s Third Largest Whirlpool.
Their range of tours, varying from two to three hours long, offer you the opportunity to see whales, porpoise, dolphins, basking sharks, otter, golden and white tailed sea eagles and much more in our European Special Area of Conservation – Firth of Lorne.
Another tour operator, Sealife Adventures run three, four and five hour whale search and wildlife watching boat trips from the Isle of Seil. All Sealife Adventures trips include the Corryvreckan whirlpool, Ballachuan Hazelwood (a Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve), dramatic sea cliffs and uninhabited islands where golden and sea eagles are resident. The rugged coastline is home to otters, deer and wild goats.
History
Easdale Island Folk Museum Easdale Island gained in prominance during the 18th century with the rise of the slate industry after the Earl of Breadalbane set up the Marble and Slate Quarrying Company of Netherlorn to exploit the local Easdale Slate.
Kilmartin Museum and Kilmartin Glen. Kilmartin Glen is one of the world’s most significant archeological landscapes. Sites including stone circles, standing stones and rock art abound. There are thousands of years of history and natural history to explore in this beautiful landscape.
Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds. For more than 1000 years, the Clan Chiefs and Lords of Lorn ruled large areas of Argyll and the Isles from Dunollie Castle in Oban. Today it remains the ancestral home of the Clan MacDougall. Dunollie lists: unique exhibitions and displays; enchanting woodlands for wandering though; Explore the ancient castle ruin; seasonal activities and events; locally handmade gifts to purchase; refresh with delicious snacks and home baking
Dunstaffnage Castle is an impressive but grim old ruinous walled castle, with later tower and atmospheric chapel in a wooded spot near Oban. Dunstaffnage Castle consists of a massive 13th-century curtain wall with round towers and an altered 16th-century gatehouse. The wall is 60-foot high in places, crowned by a parapet with a wall walk, still accessible for part of the wall, and is pierced by arrow slits. Ranges of buildings within the walls contained a hall and kitchen. Captured by Robert the Bruce in 1308, the castle remained in royal hands until 1469. Flora MacDonald was held at Dunstaffnage in 1746 before being sent to the Tower of London for aiding Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape.
Oban Distillery. Nestling beneath the steep cliff that overlooks Oban, one of Scotland’s oldest and one of the smallest sources of Single Malt Scotch Whisky is just a short meander from the sea. Established in 1794, the Oban distillery has never expanded or moved location. Distillery tours are available.
The World Stone Skimming Championships
The World Stone Skimming Championships are held on Easdale Island on the Sunday preceding the last Monday of September every year.
Contestants hail from around the world and the championships now attract over 300 participants and many spectators. Anyone of any age and any level of skill can enter the championships.
On the Saturday night before the event, there is the Pre-Skim Party in Easdale Island Community Hall where there will be a licensed bar, live music, and where children are most welcome.
Food and Drink
The Puffer Bar and Restaurant, on the island so just a minute’s walk from the cottage, reopened in June 2022.
Across the Sound, The Oyster Bar & Restaurant is a family run business located in the beautiful and historic village of Ellenabeich.
Also on Seil, next to the famous Bridge over the Atlantic sits an 18th century inn, The Tigh an Truish – bar, restaurant and beer garden.