You need to anchor as far away from the road noise as you can, best by the Abbot's Isle from where it is possible to get up to Achnacloich Gardens (strike up behind the boathouse and you will come to a little-used zigzag path which leads to the house and gardens). But alas the gardens were closed to the public in 2012 when the owner died. I gather from local gossip that the house was then passed on to a relative, who lived in London and is apparently a banker. Oh dear, these days it is difficult indeed to love bankers. The house now seems to be a top-end rented holiday property, sleeping up to 18 people — snooker table, nursery, six bathrooms, three washing machines sort of a place. However, on Saturdays between 10 am and 4 pm you are allowed to get a squint at the gardens. The house itself is rather dull, late-Victorian Baronial Gothic, but the woodland gardens are delightful. There are some tremendous trees here, Scots Pine and a nearly-200-year-old Douglas Fir just by the house. And here are some nice lookouts over Loch Etive, with seats.
