Cairnbaan Hotel
The hotel is open for bookings
We are pleased to maintain that the hotel is open for bookings.
Notices:
Bar opening times:
- Open from 4pm - Monday & Tuesday.
Wednesday - Sunday as normal.
- The bar currently closes at 10:30pm (not our usual 11pm).
Restaurant opening times:
- We open at 4pm - Monday & Tuesday.
- Unfortunately we are closed Mondays and Tuesdays until 4 pm, and are unable to serve lunch on these days due to staff shortages. We reopen at 4pm for check-ins and general customers alike.
Wednesday to Sunday are business as usual unless otherwise stated, (please check our facebook page for any last minute changes).
Updates to the hotel
Showing symptoms of Covid?
If you have and Covid like symptoms, please follow NHS advice. Do not come to the hotel, however please contact us to let us know.
Cash and cards payments
Please note we accept cash, card and contactless payments. All confirmations/invoices etc. will be issued electronically.
Safety of guests and staff
We are taking every measure we possibly can to ensure the safety of our guests and customers but also our staff. While we are doing all we can, we request that our guests and customers also play their part keeping us all safe by observing safe practices, such as washing hands and sensible social behaviour in-line with current government advice.
Menu offerings
Due to staff restrictions both in the kitchen and waiting staff, during this time, we are running on a slightly reduced menu, we appreciate your understanding.
We look forward to your visit,
and offer you a warm welcome!
Booking with us
We look forward to welcoming new and returning guests when we are able to do so, and want to assure you all of our commitment to the safety, health and well-being of all our customers and staff as and when this happens.
Having done a thorough risk assessment, we have put necessary protocols in place. Please play your part in keeping us all safe by observing safe practice.
The current situation once again, throws up new and daunting challenges for the hospitality industry so please bear with us while we find our feet in the new normal.
If you have any concerns or suggestions, please do not hesitate to get in touch – we all need to help each other through these trying times.
More information can be found at: Scottish Government's guidance for hospitality website.
Usual opening times
Usual Food serving times*
Restaurant opening times:
- We open at 4pm - Monday & Tuesday.
- Unfortunately we are closed Mondays and Tuesdays until 4 pm, and are unable to serve lunch on these days due to staff shortages. We reopen at 4pm for check-ins and general customers alike.
Wednesday to Sunday are business as usual unless otherwise stated, (please check our facebook page for any last minute changes).
Breakfast
8am till 9.30am (non-residents please book)
Lunch
12 noon till 2.30pm (booking advisable last orders 2:15pm)
Dinner
6pm till 9pm (booking advisable, last orders 8:45pm)
*These are our usual food serving times unless for some reason we have reduced serving times or staff illness. Please check the highlighted boxes in blue for changes, updates or temporary closures.
The bar
Bar opening times:
- Open from 4pm - Monday & Tuesday.
Wednesday - Sunday as normal.
- The bar currently closes at 10:30pm (not our usual 11pm).
Staying with us
Rooms available are:
8 doubles, 3 twin and 1 single
We have 12 individually styled guest bedrooms, all of which are en-suite.
Pets
Friendly well behaved dogs are welcome in the rooms and the bar area, but we ask they are not left alone in the rooms or allowed on the beds or furniture. We do not charge for bringing your dog.
Fresh water is available on request when in the bar area, and well behaved dogs are likely to get a tastey treat from the doggy bar snacks bowl!
Wi-Fi
Our Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, with quiet places to work on request. Great for keeping the kids entertained on their iPads or working remotely when you just need to check into to the office, or send that email.
Eating and drinking at Cairnbaan hotel
Delicious food and a great list of drinks
We have a core menu of “favourites” (I'm looking at you Fish and Chips), but we also have the ever-changing specials board featuring a variety of seafood, vegetarian dishes, Sunday roasts and seasonal recipes as well as our delicious home-made puddings of course!
Special diets can be catered for:
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy free etc.
However, if you have very specific requirements, we can offer a better choice if you are able to give us reasonable notice before you arrive, please contact us with any requirements.
All day snacks and drinks
We serve a full range of coffees, teas etc and mouth-watering home baking throughout the day. All are open to non-residents.
The bar
Usual opening times for the bar is 11am till 11pm daily, (Except Sunday-Thursday in November, January and February when it will close at 10pm.) Our bar is open to non-residents during these times.
Current restrictions may apply, more information here.
Beers and spirits
The bar stocks a good range of craft gins, malt whiskies and real ales from local breweries and distilleries as well as regular beverages.
Wines
Our wine list features an interesting selection of affordable wines by the bottle as well as 6 whites, 6 reds and 2 roses available by the glass.
Special promotions
Watch for our Pairings Promotions, where we showcase a particular wine, matching it with an exciting creation from Vikki’s kitchen.
Ales on tap
We're proud to have Loch Fyne Ales on tap, an outstanding local brewery a 30 minute drive from us.
To find out more about them, the fantastic ales they stock and where to find them, check out their website at the link below.
About Us
Our historic bar and restaurant
Cairnbaan Hotel is situated halfway along the Crinan Canal- “the most beautiful shortcut in Scotland”.
It was built around 1815 as a coaching inn to serve canal users and continues to provide charming accommodation, refreshments and amazing food to travellers and locals alike.
The staff
The Cairnbaan “family” headed by Christine with chefs Vikki and Alan and their teams, take great pride in their work and look forward to welcoming you to the friendliest hotel around.
Children
Children are welcome when accompanied by adults until 10pm.
Pets
Dogs are welcome both in the bar and the hotel itself (doggy treat jar on the bar and water bowls on request!).
* Please let us know if you are bringing your dog when you book a room.
Functions
Functions & events
Functions, meetings and event accommodation within the hotel is flexible and we can cater for anything from one-to-one meetings to 100-plus guests/delegates for weddings, parties, conferences, funerals etc.
We can also offer small gatherings (around 40 people), if you'd like to organise or book us as a venue, please contact us for more information.
Planning a wedding?
We have successfully held many wedding receptions at our hotel. If you're planning on booking a wedding with us, please don't hesitate to contact us to see what we can do for you.
Food & drink
We do not offer a set choice of function menus, preferring to tailor your event to your specific requirements. Catering for your event can be as simple as soup and sandwiches or canapes and fizz, all the way through finger or fork buffets to full scale sit-down 4 course dinners.
Drinks packages are also available on request. We aim to provide you with exactly what you want!
Please contact us for more information.
Room hire
There is no charge for room hire when holding a function; costs are per head based on food/beverage service.
When holding a function, we can offer special room-only or B&B rates for guests who wish to stay over.
Live music
Please contact us if you wish to book a live band, or have music at your function.
Cairnbaan has regularly hosted live music nights pre-covid, for updates or the latest "what's on" - please see our Facebook page.
A wealth of attractions in the local area
Cairnbaan Hotel is situated on the banks of Crinan Canal in the historic glen of Kilmichael.
Crinan Canal
The canal joins Crinan to Ardrishaig and is lovely at any time of year. You can walk or cycle along the entire length, all the while enjoying stunning views and passing boats and wildlife. Aside from the canal itself, there is a vast range of countryside to explore.
Local art
Argyll is home to many artists- probably due to the stunning scenery and the extraordinary quality of light.
Many of them participate in Art Map when studios are open to the public and artists are delighted to meet you and discuss their work.
Wild beavers & wildlife
Nature and wildlife enthusiasts will delight in the abundance of flora and fauna in the area.
Knapdale Forest is home to the Beaver Trials (nb, not like sheepdog trials!)- Norwegian beavers were introduced in 2009 and have settled well into the area. Go along to Loch Coille Bharr, especially at dawn or dusk, where you might be lucky enough to spot one.
Horticulture & bird watching
For horticulturists there are two NTS gardens in the vicinity, Crarae Gardens between Lochgilphead and Inveraray and Arduaine Gardens near Kilmelford.
The wide variety of birdlife on the Add estuary and Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve will have twitchers reaching for binoculars and camera.
“The Moss” is also famed for rare mosses and dragonflies.
History & archaeology
Just a short walk directly behind the hotel is the Cairnbaan rock art featuring the esoteric cup and ring carvings. There are also castles (Carnasserie, Skipness and Castle Sween) and ancient chapels (Keills, Kilmory) to explore as well as the hill-fort at Dunadd, seat of the kings of Dal Riada.
History and archaeology aficionados should head for Kilmartin Glen and Kilmartin Museum to find out about and visit the many pre-historic standing stones, cairns and rock-art.
Activities & walks
The Surrounding of Cairnbaan and wider afield has a host of interesting walks and amazing views, just waiting to be explored!
The hotel has a small range of literature on the area available to guests, please ask!
Seafari and sea-based wildlife tours and trips to the famous Corryvreckan whirlpool can be arranged locally with Venture West.
Shopping
While the nearest town of Lochgilphead is not a large metropolis, there are many interesting independent shops where you can often find that unusual gift or memento. The Archway Gallery exhibits work by local artists.
Mid-Argyll swimming pool is open all year round.
Breweries & distilleries
Distillery tours are also available in Oban and Fyne Ales at Cairndow offer brewery tours as well as a taproom and shop.
Golf
A trip to Campbeltown is recommended for golfers – there are three 18-hole courses, and another course on the way at Tarbert, there is also a course in Lochgilphead!
While non-golfers can take a distillery tour or visit the newly restored Art Deco cinema then drive out to the Mull of Kintyre, made famous, of course, by Paul McCartney.
Further afield
A little further away (27 miles), the Castle, home of the Duke of Argyll, and the Jail at Inveraray are both well worth a visit.
From Oban, under an hour away by car, known as the Gateway to the Isles, you can take a ferry to Mull then Iona, Colonsay, Tiree etc.
To the south, the Islay ferry departs from Kennacraig, the Arran ferry from Skipness, the Portavadie ferry from Tarbert and the Gigha ferry from Tayinloan.