📌 Cairndow, Argyll & Bute
★★★
On a shady hillside above Loch Fyne, Ardkinglas gained recent attention when it announced the creation of a Gruffalo Trail, using scenes and characters from the popular British children’s book. In truth, the child-friendly path only makes up a tiny part of what is a delightful, leafy oasis, with spectacular rhododendron displays and bluebell carpets as spring gives way to summer. These species dominate the upper section of the garden, while the lower portion backs onto the River Kinglas and boasts several “champion trees” notable for their height or girth. Across the river is a more extensive but less interesting part of the estate surrounding Ardkinglas House (though the house itself is worth going to see). Facilities are limited (a Portaloo is the only toilet), but look past this and the garden otherwise makes the perfect place to spend an hour or two.
🌍 Location
📌 By minor road just south of Cairndow
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 180106
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.252627,-4.939796
🚌 Bus stops on A83 at garden turnoff to north (0.5 mi)
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
⌚ Daily – best in late spring / early summer
🎫 £5 adult / £2.50 child
