Ardfern

Ardfern has been our boat's winter home for years so I cannot escape a personal bias for such a nice place. The marina is sheltered, the chandlery is the best in the area, there is a webcam, the staff are exceptionally friendly and will fix all the broken bits, this is a good place to leave a boat for a bit, and the countryside around is Argyll at its knobbly best (ph 01852 500247) . Of course it is quite a way up Loch Craignish and not a place to escape from people but there are compensations as well as the marina facilities: the pub, the Crafty Kitchen, the shop, and the walks.

Out of the marina to the left you get to a very well stocked shop in a couple of minutes, and in another few minutes to the Crafty Kitchen and across the road the Galley of Lorne. The Crafty Kitchen does excellent wholesome food (and sells brilliant Christmas cakes, although you are unlikely to be sailing in December), there are pictures by local artists on the walls, and there is also a rather nice little craft shop attached to it (ph 01852 500305).

The Galley of Lorne has a cosy bar with good meals, you can eat the same menu in the rather large and wide open restaurant (the view is good so try for a table near the window), and usually they have a decent draft beer as well as the usual unmentionable fizzy stuff which explodes out of taps (ph 01852 500284).

Just past here you will find the early 19th century parish church, a bit dilapidated outside with a couple of curious painted walls to look like windows, but inside it is plain and serene - the woodwork is painted and gives a charming sense of airiness.

If you turn right our of the marina a 10 minutes walk takes you to the Craignish Village Hall, built relatively recently after years of fund raising; it hosts many activities and there might be something on when you are around (check their website).