Dogfriendly

Thanks to Lorraine McKechnie-Ryder             

Holiday Destination:  Scotland, Oban.
Name Of Accommodation:  Oban Camping & Caravanning Site

Address Barcaldine by Connel, Argyll PA37 1SG
Type Of Accommodation:  Touring Site

Telephone 0845 130 7633

Website www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

Describe The Property – C & C site open to non members, set in a beautiful Victorian walled vegetable garden about 13 miles from the town of Oban (age, character, quirkiness)

Describe The Surroundings. – It is a sheltered site next to Sutherland’s Grove, a Forestry Commission woodland criss-crossed by colour coded walks and cycle paths with fire trees and waterfalls.

Describe Nearby Attractions – The town on Oban is to the south, where you can get the ferry to the one of the Western Isles.  There are more walks near Dunstaffnage Castle overlooking the Bay near Oban.  The Scottish Sealife Centre is also less than three minutes’ drive from the site.

Price  – members from £15 to £22 per pitch per night for 2
(peak, off-peak)

Any Extra Charges  – No
(charge per dog)

Dog-Friendly Provisions – Dog biscuit treat on arrival, plus water bowls
(bed, treats, poo bags, food, bowls, accessories)

Your Holiday Experience:

Nelly and I arrived at the Oban Campsite on a lovely day in late September, the site being in a walled garden was delightfully sheltered.  The campsite is in a fantastic location, through the ancient doorway set in the wall, leads you to excellent dog walking in the forest. The Scottish Forestry Commission have done a marvellous job of making the forest very dog and walker friendly by the various coloured walks of different length to follow around the woodland.  Not thinking I would do very much but walk Nelly around the woods for the next couple of days, the manager of the site encouraged me to go further a field with Nelly.  So under his instructions the following day we headed off the Oban arriving to catch the noon ferry to Mull, it was £7.55 for a return ticket (no charge for dogs).  The crossing was very smooth and we sat outside looking at the beautiful scenery gliding by.  I believe there also is a lounge below decks that dogs are welcome should the weather be inclement.On arrival in Mull we then boarded a luxury coach (yes, they let dogs on these too!!), and after the 45 minute drive we arrived in Tobermory a picture postcard village where they filmed the children’s series Balamory.  At the far end of the pier is situated Cafe Fish in the old waiting room for the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry which has superb views over the Tobermory bay to Calve island and beyond from its dining terrace and offers an amazing selection of fresh seafood dishes straight from the sea.  The dining terrace (dogs allowed) was where I enjoyed a crab lunch washed down with lovely glass of wine.  The owner spoiled Nelly by hand feeding her loads of little chunks of lobster.  This has to be one of my favourite stops on my tour of Scotland.
 

Ratings
Accommodation – great
Walks – excellent
Dog Suitability – excellent
Value – perfect
Overall- wonderful

From Julie, Robin & Millie (German Shepherd)

We’ve just come back from a long weekend in Cornwall.  I took your guides and other Pet friendly guides.  We stayed at www.campingcaradon.co.uk at Trelawne, Near Looe - PL13 2NA, its very close to Tallan Bay. Found them in Pet Friendly places to stay 2009, couldn’t find them in your guide, may be worth a look. Dogs should be on leads… They were very accomodating…
 
In Looe itself, dogs were not allowed on the main beach at any time… although there was a bay next door where dogs were allowed (we couldn’t use it because the tide was in!). We also visited a VERY friendly cafe called Daisy’s in Castle Street, Looe where ‘dogs, kids and muddy boots’ were welcome. We’d recomend them to all dog owners.
 
Visited Readymoney Beach at Fowey.  No dogs on the beach between Easter and 1st Oct. It was a fairly small beach and the coastal walks which were just behind the beach, were full of people with their dogs. The walks were fairly steep and not suitable for people or dogs who are not physically able.
 
We also visited Polperro where we climbed the path to the rocks at the end of the bay to watch the stormy seas.  On the way back I saw a Doggie Vend (see attached photo)!
 
On the way back we visited Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve, Southern Bodmin Moor. Lots of people with their dogs. Rivers were a mixture of strong currents as well as slow streams and still eddies. Fantastic scenery!