Barbreck

Barbreck runs from the sea in front of Craigdhu to the top of the hills to the East.

It is part of the parish of Craignish which includes the village of Ardfern with its Yacht Centre and Galley of Lorne Inn and the more recently built Craobh Haven Marina on the other side of the peninsula.

Barbreck Farm
Barbreck Farm takes in most of the land in the lower part of the glen, including some good arable fields, old oakwoods, low limestone ridges and higher heather clad hills. We carry 100 head of cattle and 800 breeding ewes.

The farm is unique in this part of the west Highlands in that almost all the cattle and lambs are ’finished’ on the place. With our on-farm butchery and chilled storage we are in control of the whole process and can guarantee you superb quality beef and lamb. We have a mobile farm shop which also sells free range eggs, organic vegetables, local venison, smoked fish and other items. See Barbreck Farms for details of prices. We can deliver to Craigdhu.

Beach
The beach in front of the house has a very gradual slope. In the summer when the tide comes in over the hot sand the water can be really warm. If you are into seafood there are plenty of winkles and cockles.

Barbreck River
Barbreck River runs into the sea not far from the house. Guests staying at Craigdhu are welcome to fish the river for salmon and sea trout. It is best just after a spate, the sea pool can be fished with a fly, but for all other pools, a worm is your best bet.

Loch Craignish Viewpoint
For a superb view over Loch Craignish and its many islands, with Jura and Islay in the distance, walk up the hill behind the house, only 5 minutes, to the ridge overlooking the loch.

Barbreck House
Barbreck House, the most prominent mansion house in this part of Argyll, was built by Major General John Campbell of Barbreck and completed in 1789. Some 20 years before building his new house General Campbell, or Colonel Campbell as he then was, raised a regiment known as the Barbreck Highlanders to fight in North America. The Campbells of Barbreck were the custodians of Barbreck’s Bone, a plate of ivory reputed to be a cure for madness. The house is a private residence.

Glen Walk
The walk starts from the beginning of the drive up to the farm – there is a car park here – and continues up the Glen to Turnault. Not far from the car park you may discover the Watchman’s Well. The first part of the walk is along the drive with its old beech trees planted about the time the big house was built. Further on up the glen and a good distance from the Barbreck House, the walk passes the old walled kitchen garden, and a folly known as ‘The Barracks’. For an excellent view of the Upper Glen and information on its farming and history see the Turnault Farms.


Local Wildlife
There will be few places in Scotland where you can see such a variety of wildlife from one house. From the bedroom windows you look down on the beach and loch with oyster catchers, curlew, ringed plover, mergansers, goosanders, eider duck, herons, and many gulls and hooded crows. Occasionally an osprey may be seen fishing the shallow waters at the head of the loch. Buzzards nest in the trees behind the house, and ravens and peregrine falcons breed nearby. Within easy day trip reach of Craigdhu there are a host of wildlife viewing opportunities from sea eagles to puffins, whales to choughs. For more information see Wildlife in Argyll & Bute.