Your Stay at Ardmay House

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We will contact you in advance to arrange an arrival time (from 4pm), where you will be met by one of our team. He/she will give you a tour of the house and answer any questions you have.

You will be given the front door code on arrival and a set of keys for the other outside doors through the house.

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The central heating and hot water will be set for your arrival and departure. The heating goes off at midnight and back on at 6am.

In the kitchen you will find the kitchen handbook, a guide to using the equipment. You may want to order food for your trip through one of the large supermarkets (Asda/Sainsburys/Tesco all deliver to Arrochar). Please arrange the delivery after your expected arrival time.

 

There is a cleaning cupboard in the front hall with cleaning products for you to use. On departure the house should be left as it has been found. Check out is by 10am on your day of departure. 

 

We thank you for choosing Ardmay House and hope you enjoy your stay, please contact us if we can help in anyway.

 

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is available using the login information displayed in the front hall.

As Ardmay is an old house with thick walls, the Wi-Fi doesn’t travel into every room, but the Common Room usually has the best connection.

 

Common Room TV and DVD Player

The Smart TV and DVD player in the common room are available for use. Unfortunately due to our location amongst the mountains, we do not get TV reception here at Ardmay House, however there are a selection of DVDs for you to watch and you can connect to Netflix/iPlayer etc.

There is also an HDMI that you can plug into your laptop and it will display on the TV screen.

 

Pets

We can accept a maximum of 2 well-behaved dogs. Please note that dogs should not be left alone in the property at any time during your stay.

 

Baby Equipment

We are able to provide a travel cot, high chair and baby bath upon request.

 

Heating/Hot Water

The Central Heating and Hot Water have been pre-set for your arrival.

Please phone the contact number if there are any problems.

 

Rubbish/Recycling/Waste

All general waste should be put into black bags and placed in the green bin.

All recycling (paper, plastic, cans etc.) should be placed in a blue bin.

All Glass should be placed in the black bin which will be taken for glass recycling.

Bins throughout the house should be emptied daily and on your departure in accordance with the guidance above.

 

Cleaning

Upon departure, the house should be left as it has been found. Please open windows.

 

There are cleaning materials available as follows:

 

• Housekeeping – Cupboard in Front Hall

• Toilets and Showers – Cupboard on 1st Floor landing toilet/shower

• Kitchen – Below the kitchen sinks.

 

Septic Tank System

We have a septic tank system for our waste drainage please do not flush wipes, sanitary items or disposable nappies etc down the toilet. Use the bags and bins provided.

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Linen

You will be supplied with bed linen and towels.

At the end of your stay, please strip beds, do not fold sheets and pillowcases, leave linen and towels on each room floor for our Laundry team to pick up after your departure.

Laundry Facilities are not available

 

Fire Alarm

If the alarm goes off please ensure all guests leave the building and assemble outside beside the green ‘fire assembly point’ (on wall at front of house). Check if there is a fire. Call Emergency Services on 999

Call your Ardmay contact to reset any false alarm.

 

Pianos

There are two pianos, the Grand Piano in the front hall and the upright piano in the lounge. Please feel free to play the pianos but remember they are old instruments so please treat them with care.

 

Hair dryers/Straighteners

Please open the window if using these products as heat/steam can set off fire alarm.

 

The Kitchen

Fan: please ensure the fan is switched on when using the kitchen

Hot water Boiler: Can be used for teas/coffees. Please be careful when using the water boiler as the water that comes out is extremely hot.

Kettle and Toaster: 6 slice toaster available

Gas Oven: Large commercial gas oven, lit by ignition switch

Electric Oven: Switch on at the wall

Hob: Large 6 ring commercial gas hob, lit by gas lighter

Microwave

Dishwasher: Instructions on wall beside dishwasher. Please scrape food waste before putting dishes into the machine.

Fridges: 2 large fridges are available for use

Freezer: 1 chest freezer

Kenwood Mixer

Servery: In accordance with Covid -19 guidelines, the Hot Cupboard in the servery area will not be available for use. You may however find it useful for storing food and drinks for ease of service.

Pots & Pans, Crockery, cutlery and glassware are available in the kitchen and servery area

When you arrive at Ardmay House you will be shown around the property and given a guided tour of the kitchen and equipment.

Please refer to the Kitchen Handbook for specific user information.

 

 

The Garden and Grounds

 

The Beach

Ardmay House is situated on the sea loch of Loch Long, and as such the water is salt water. There is a spot with benches on the beach which is great to sit and look out across the Loch. Please do not drop any litter on the beach.

As we are in the heart of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, please be aware that it is illegal to light any sort of bonfire on the beach or in the grounds. We recommend that you stick to the front part of the beach (looking north to the top of Loch Long), which we regularly clean and ensure is safe. Unfortunately rubbish from Glasgow and the surrounding area can be washed up on the part of the beach looking on to the Argarten Forest Park and sharp objects may be found. Children should be supervised at all times.

There is a thick sea wall running all the way around the beach which is great to sit on – however please be careful as the drop on the beach side of the wall is a lot further than it seems.

 

Low Ropes Course

The low ropes course at the front of the garden can be used entirely at your own risk. Children should be supervised at all times.

 

Bug Hotel

If you have children, they may be interested in our Bug Hotel in the garden.

 

Car Parking

There are car parking facilities to the back of the house. Please do not park outside the front door of Ardmay House as we have neighbours who require access at all times (24 hours).

 

Ardmay House Contacts

You will be informed of the name and number of your on-call contact when you arrive at Ardmay House.

 

Local Amenities

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In the village of Arrochar there are a few small shops where you will be able to get essentials, detailed below:

 

Local Shops and Provisions:

Braeside Stores and Newsagent:  Opening hours: Mon to Fri:  6.30am – 10pm, Sat & Sun:  7am – 10pm (these hours may vary due to Covid-19). Telephone: 01301 702304

Arrochar Petrol Station:  24 hours, self-service, situated at the top of Loch Long.

ATM: ATM at The Village Inn (fee applies)

Doctor's Surgery: Kirkfield Place, Arrochar: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, from 8am - 6pm. Wednesday 8am - 12 noon. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Telephone: 08444772520

 

Supermarkets:

The closest supermarkets to Ardmay House are situated in Helensburgh (25 mins) or Dumbarton (30 mins). Please note that Asda, Sainsburys and Tesco all deliver to Arrochar. Please arrange a delivery slot after your arranged arrival time.

Co-Op Helensburgh (7am – 10pm): 54 Sinclair Street, Helensburgh G84 8TQ

Asda Dumbarton (24 hours): St James Retail Park, 27 Glasgow Road, Dumbarton, G82 1RB

Marks and Spencer Dumbarton (8am – 8pm): 19 Glasgow Road, Dumbarton G82 1RB

Morrisons Dumbarton (8am – 9pm): Glasgow Road, Dumbarton, Scotland G82 1QZ

Dumbarton also has a Lidl and an Aldi.  

 

Restaurants and Pubs

The Village Inn, Arrochar: A well renowned traditional bar and restaurant serving good food and a variety of local ales. Telephone: 01301 702 279.

Fish & Chip Shop, Arrochar:  Telephone: 01301 702999

Ben Arthur's Bothy,  Arrochar: Local pub with excellent terrace with Lochside Views. Well-priced menu. Arrochar: 01301 702347

Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Clachan: Exceptional sea food in a wonderful setting overlooking Loch Fyne. Telephone: 01499 600236.

 

 

Things to Do

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There is a lot to see and do near Ardmay House.  We recommend the town of Inverary which is a traditional finishing village around 30mins drive from Arrochar. They have a lovely castle (Inverary Castle), Inverary Jail which is very entertaining and it’s a nice place to wander around. On the way there you can stop at the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar which has excellent seafood.

Another nice place to visit nearby is the conservation village of Luss which sits on Loch Lomond side – it is very pretty. There are some nice cafes, small shops and a beach there (although bare in mind that it is a Scottish beach!).  A good place to eat is The Lomond Arms Hotel.

 

Some Suggestions:

Mansefield Pottery Studios and Gallery, Arrochar http://www.mansefieldstudios.co.uk/

Arrochar Children’s Playpark, Church Road, Arrochar (situated behind the church)

Ardgarten Forest Park (5 minutes drive): Low level walks, forest trails, mountain bike trails: http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/argyll-forest-park/ardgartan

Cruise Loch Lomond, Tarbet (5 minutes drive), experience a spectacular boat trip on Loch Lomond: http://www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk/

Lomond Shores, Balloch (25 minutes): Shopping, restaurants, play park, canoe, bike and pedal boat hire: http://www.lochlomondshores.com/

Luss (15 minutes): Picturesque conservation village with beaches, easy walks, good coffee shop, and speed boat trips.

Loch Fyne (15 minutes): Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, tree house walk, Fyne Ales brewery, Ardkinglas Gardens, Tree Shop garden centre and gift shop.

Inveraray (25 minutes): Inveraray Castle (home of the Duke of Argyll, head of the Clan Campbell), Inveraray Jail, Loch Fyne Hotel with swimming pool, Inveraray Golf Course, walks, The George pub and restaurant.

Helensburgh (25 minutes): Charles Rennie Macintosh's famous Hill House, swimming pool, restaurants, supermarkets, sea front promenade, ferries to Dunoon and beyond.

Dumbarton (30 minutes) historic Dumbarton Castle and the Scottish Maritime Museum

Local Walks and wildlife: please see the information on Argyll Forest Park