Cairnbaan House

Crinan, Cairnbaan
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At a Glance
Sleeps 4
Wi-Fi
Dog Friendly
Parking
Garden/Patio
Washing Machine
Dishwasher
Smart TV
The Property
Cairnbaan House is an inviting, newly renovated holiday home full of history, character and charm, set in a superb location overlooking the Crinan Canal in the peaceful village of Cairnbaan. This traditional stone cottage has a charm of it’s own, originally built in the 1800's. 
 
The area is steeped in history and surrounded by beautiful scenery, with access to the Crinan Canal, that meanders through stunning scenery, a wonderful waterway waiting to be explored. Enjoy leisurely walks along the banks of historic Crinan Canal. An ideal holiday base for families or couples looking to explore the West Coast of Argyll, Scotland.    
 
Interiors
Filled with quality furnishings and a Scottish flair throughout. Soak up the atmosphere of the open living and dining area that creates the heart of the home.  After a day of exploring settle in and enjoy this wonderful space featuring it's original interior features with a glass of wine, or cosy up and gaze through the windows to enjoy the ever-changing canal views. The window ledges have cushions to cosy up and watch the sail boats pass by.
 
For entertainment there is free Wi-Fi, and a 48” Smart TV.
 
The kitchen is well-equipped with fridge freezer, dishwasher, electric oven and hob, microwave, Nespresso coffee machine. From the kitchen there is a small sun room lobby, ideal for a quiet reading space.
 
There is a washing machine for the convenience of longer stays.
 
There are two well appointed double bedrooms with cushioned window ledges to soak up te views. One double room can be converted to a twin bed.  Please request at time of booking.  
 
Bedroom 1: King bed or Twin conversion (request twin configuration)  
Bedroom 2: King bed  
Bathroom: Family bathroom with vanity, walk-in shower and toilet
 
Oil heating and electricity is included.
 
Outside
Your front door opens up to the outdoor paved terrace with views overlooking the Crinan Canal. The perfect location for morning coffees, afternoon ice-cold G&Ts, or a cold beer while taking in the scenes and watching the sail boats pass through the canal. A perfect spot to catch the afternoon sunshine.  
 
Explore
Guests have access to nine miles of canal pathways suitable for leisure walking, running and cycling. This historic area includes a magical network of paths, lock gates, towpaths and shoreline to wonder around including the famous Crinan walk taking visitors to the heart of Knapdale forest before reaching a high point at Castle Dounie.
 
Cairnbaan House is a short drive of 2.5 miles to the town of Lochgilphead where you will find local welcoming pubs and cafes. For shopping Lochgilphead has a Tesco Express, a Co-Op, fishmongers, bakery and butcher.
 
Nearby visit Kilmartin village, rich in archaeological and historical remains of Neolithic and early Bronze Age monuments. Visit standing stones, burial cairns, castles and famous gardens. Visit the bustling town of Oban, seafood capital of the west coast, just 30 miles north. 

Explore further afield and experience the Mull of Kintyre and Islay and take the passenger ferry from Tayvallich to the island of Jura (summer only) and sail from Oban to Mull and Iona. 
 
For anyone interested in the understanding the early history of Scotland, a visit to the Mid Argyll is a must. Steeped in history and surrounded by beautiful scenery, Cairnbaan is the ideal holiday base for exploring the West Coast of Argyll.  
 
Dog Policy: One well behaved dog is welcome GBP 20.00 per stay. No enclosed garden. Please pre-book. 
 
Car Parking: Car parking is next to the property.
 
House Rules: Strictly no smoking allowed.  No parties or events.
 
Safety Features: Smoke alarm, Carbon Monoxide Detector, Fire extinguisher, Fire blanket.
 
Cleanliness & Disinfecting: Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against Covid, Linens, towels and laundry washed in accordance with local authority guidelines, Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays.
 
 
History of Cairnbaan House:  Cairnbaan House situated at Lock 8 of the Crinan Canal functioned as a General Store for over 100 years. Prior to the building of the store, in the late 19th Century, there had always been a shop at Lock 8 from the early days of the construction of the Crinan Canal. Known as Cairnbaan Store it remained a functioning shop up until the beginning of the 21st Century when it was then converted into a house taking up the name Cairnbaan House. First owned by Neil Smith, Great Uncle of the current owners, the Ross family have preserved the building’s history, by retaining its original features.  Stepping through the door is like stepping back in time. 
 
The construction of the Crinan Canal was authorised by an Act of Parliament in May 1793. Building of the Canal which runs from Ardrishaig to Crinan began in 1794 and was completed in August of 1809. The idea behind the project was to enable trading vessels from the Clyde and the West Highlands to avoid the circuitous passage round the Mull of Kintyre.  The Crinan Canal has been nicknamed ‘Scotland most beautiful shortcut.’ 
 
Cairnbaan Store sold nearly everything, quite literally from aneedle to an anchor, and you could buy tickets for passage to America on the boat ‘The California’ pictured in the frame in the living room. The California was sunk by German U-boats in 1917 on her return journey from New York to Scotland. The store also had two petrol pumps which were located on the other side of the canal where the bus stop is today. Cars had to sound their horn for service and you can see the original sign in the kitchen today above the sink. 
 
Cairnbaan and Mid-Argyll are a magical place to stay and explore.  
 
 
LICENCE NUMBER: AR00119F
EPC: F

 

Features
Picturesque location
Waters edge of Crinan Canal (Lock 8)
Patio with outdoor furniture
Oil central heating 
Wi-Fi downloading consistently at 70 mbps
Smart TV 48" 
Freeview and live streaming
Well equipped kitchen
Fridge / freezer
Electric oven
Electric hob 
Microwave, kettle & toaster
Nespresso coffee machine, first pods included
Cafetiere
Washing machine
Outdoor clothes line
Iron and ironing board
Linen and towels 
Hairdryer
Close to village 400 metres
Pub / restaurant nearby 400 metres
Good housekeeping security deposit £150
Cairnbaan Cottage
Lock 8,
Cairnbaan by Lochgilphead
PA31 8SQ
Argyll
 
Directions and full address to be advised in Key & Arrival Instructions after final balance is paid.
 
CAIRNBAAN
Cairnbaan is a village situated on the Crinan Canal, in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland. Cairnbaan is about half way between Ardrishaig on Loch Gilp at the canal's eastern end and Crinan on the Sound of Jura to the west.
 
DIRECTIONS:
Directions from the South: take A82 from Glasgow (or M8 followed by M898 (Erskine Bridge) and then A82), along Loch Lomond side, taking the A83 at Tarbet through Arrochar and Inverarary to Lochgilphead, continue to Cairnbaan via the A816. Precise directions will be sent to you just before arrival.
 
I guarantee you will not be disappointed in Cairnbaan House
4.8/5 Stars Upfront Reviews - April 2025

When you have nothing at all bad to say about an accommodation then it must be the perfect place, right? Well, Cairnbaan House has to come very close to perfection because we can't find anything bad to say about it. Well... maybe the water pressure in the shower was a little low, but the bed linen was gorgeously soft yet crisp at the same time, the beds were very comfy, the heating was great, and the cottage was spotlessly clean. There were also many small interesting touches of interior decorating showing that at a previous point in time the cottage was actually a sort of general store for this part of the canal, plus the whole feel of the place from the moment we walked made us feel at home. Shout out to Katrina, who lives next door. She and her husband have a family connection to the cottage and she was very helpful, with lots of tips and knowledge about the local area. And the location? Front and centre to the Crinan Canal which not only provided an amazing view from the cottage but also a lovely place to walk along.

There is heaps to do in the area. Our highlights from our four nights and three full days were: climbing Dunadd Hillfort and doing the Moine Mhor walk followed by lunch at Smiddy's Bistro in the beautiful Lochgilphead, and then a second, very long, walk in the Taynish National Nature Reserve in the afternoon; Inveraray Castle and Gardens and the village of Inveraray especially lunch at the George Hotel; and a trip over to the Isle of Arran for the day especially the gardens of Brodick Castle. We just wish we had been able to stay at least one more night (although longer would have been even better), so we could have also driven down to the Mull of Kintyre, but the rest of Scotland beckons...

I highly recommend Cairnbaan Cottage to anyone wanting to stay in the Lochgilphead area. You won't be disappointed.

 
Lovely Cottage
4.7/5 Stars Upfront Reviews - August 2024
Lovely unique cottage. Lovely place to watch the boats go up and down the locks.
So relaxing away from any biz. Lovely walk along the tow path to either end of the canal.
The cottage is a lovely and the history displayed in its furnishings, makes this property so different from the usual blank rooms.
Lovely helpful neighbours guided us on place to eat and visit.
Will no doubt return, hopefully when it’s not raining.
 
Fabulous House
5/5 Stars Upfront Reviews - June 2024
We loved this house, very well equipped and comfortable, and it's history.
Excellent location, great watching all the activity on the canal.
If we were to go back to that area we would definitely book Cairnbaan House again.I
Very friendly and helpful neighbours.
 
A Beautiful Canal-side Retreat
5/5 Stars Upfront Reviews - September 2023
Such a treat to stay at Cairnbaan House, beautifully situated on the Crinan Canal with a 'front row' view of yachts coming and going thru lock number 8! Lots of walks locally, a brief drive only to Lochgilphead for basics shopping, cafes, etc. Good eateries at Crinan after a good walk along the towpath! Very ell- equipped cottage and comfortable and cozy. Thoroughly recommend!
 
Cairnbaan House
5 Stars VRBO Reviews- September 2023
Brilliant cottage, so well appointed , has everything you could need. The view from the window is something else, you can watch the boats/ yachts coming and going along the canal. It's centrally located on the Crinan canal and there is easy access to all of the Kintyre peninsula which is stunning to say the least. The cottage is dog friendly and our dog had a lovely welcome of dog biscuits from the next door neighbours, Mr and Mrs Ross. In fact the whole area is very dog friendly. Can't recommend the Cairnbaan cottage and its location enough. 
 
A week by the Crinan Canal
4.7/5 Star Upfront Reviews - August 2023
We were so well looked after at Cairnbaan house. Our hosts were very friendly and provided lots of good information. A bed was a bit hard,but they provided an additional matress to help us out and ordered a new one the same day.
We enjoyed watching all the activity along the canal,chatted to friendly neighbours,explored the local area and also used Cairnbaan as a base to venture further. Inveraray castle was well worth a visit, castle Swain had a lovely position and the beach at Kilmory was just amazing.
The house is well equipped and ideal as a base for day trips. The brown interior is in keeping with its history as a shop, worth looking into.
 

Happy Stay

5/5 Star Upfront Reviews - July 2023

We were very happy with all the details of our visit to the Kilmartin Glen / Crinan / Kilmichael Glassary area. Although the weather was not 100% great we were able to explore the region from Oban to Lochgilphead efficiently because the location of Cairnbann House was so great.

The accommodations were clean, comfortable, up to date, and scenic with the canal right out the front door.

I would highly recommend this property for your stay in the area.

 

Cairnbaan Cottage

Guest Book Review - July 2023

Our family of four stayed four nights in this wonderful house. We truly enjoyed it, with its location and interesting past. We were amazed by the canal,  Dunad,  Kilmartin Glen and Crinan ferry’s beach. We have made beautiful memories from this marvellous part of the world. Thank you so much, Dean and Stephanie from Québec, Canada.

 

Cairnbaan House

Guest Book Review - July 2023

We spent a great week here in Cairnbaan House, exploring Argyll with it's magnificent ancient monuments and nature.

Thank you for the exceptional holiday home. Everything was just perfect.

Marta & Stefan from Prague.

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