Stay in Kilmartin or Lochgilphead?

The Kilmartin Hotel has good reviews on Booking.com. It puts you close to everything in the Kilmartin area. Visit the churchyard with its ancient Early Christian gravestones and crosses.

Although it’s further away, Inverary has a good selection of hotels. Get info and help with what to see at the Kilmartin museum, which also has a nice tea room with excellent scones! Oh, there is also a castle in Kilmartin, may be a very small town but has a lot to fill a day!

Hi, Jacqui,

You would probably find a greater range of accommodation in Tarbert, which is only five or so miles from Kennacraig. Tarbert is right on the shore of Loch Fyne. You could take your time exploring Kilmartin, then not have to worry about having to drive a long way to Kennacraig the following morning.

Lochgilphead is not a particularly attractive town, but you'd have a better chance of accommodation there than in Kilmartin Glen.

Glad to hear that you're close to finalizing your plans. You will love Islay!

Best wishes, and Happy Holidays!

Mike (Auchterless)

I don’t CC see when your trip will be, but the Kilmartin museum is closed for renovations until sometime in 2023, I recently read. I’m sure hoping it will be back open by May when we plan to visit!

I have a friend named Martin. He is offended by this.

Big Mike,

I hope Martin doesn't drink Killian's beer!

Mike (Auchterless)

The Kilmartin museum is closed for renovations until sometime in 2023.

The website says that it will be open by spring of 2023, but they said on their Facebook page that it is nearing completion.

Both Kilmartin and Lochgilphead are very small villages, but the latter is slightly bigger. The stones in Kilmartin are well worth seeing if that type of thing interests you. But you'll have more choices for lodging in Tarbert and Inveraray.

In Tarbert -- a mile or so north of town on the loch shore -- is the Stonefield Castle Hotel. It was formerly a country house; it has atmosphere rather like a scaled-down version of Downton Abbey. It also serves meals, so you don't have to drive into town for dinner. We enjoyed staying there in 2016, although we did notice that the plumbing needed a bit of attention as our shower dripped constantly.

In Inveraray we can highly recommend Brambles for lodging and breakfast/lunch/tea. The George Hotel has a great pub and restaurant. Lodging at the George is probably also good, but we didn't stay there.

What time of year are you going? Be aware that there's a major regatta each year (in May, I think) that draws people from all over and fills up every room in the region for several days.

Thank you for the replies so far. Our plans put us at Kilmartin area the nights of 29& 30 April.
Not sure I want to stay as far away as Inveraray due to morning ferry schedule.
Jacqui

Yes, I agree that Inveraray is too far for convenient access to the Kennacraig-Islay ferry. It's a nice town for other reasons, so if you are passing through you might appreciate the architecture and avail yourself of the Tourist Info office, the good range of shops selling traditional woolens (watch the labels, though; not all are made in Scotland), and of course the castle. But if you're driving straight through, want time to explore the Kilmartin stones, and only staying one night before the ferry, do see about lodging near Tarbert.

The Kilmartin museum is closed for renovations until sometime in 2023.

The website says that it will be open by spring of 2023, but they said on their Facebook page that it is nearing completion.

I just checked the website again and now it is saying the museum will be closed until summer. That's too bad - looks like I will miss it.

I stayed at Stonefield Castle when I attended the Tarbert Music Festival Years ago. I did enjoy it. It's a wee town. :)