Balblair Cottages | Self Catering Holiday Cottages in Easter Ross, Scotland
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Achnacloich, Connel

Guest Rating
Rating
4.8
out of 5
Guest Rating
Rating
4.8
out of 5
Argyllshire & Islands » Achnacloich, Connel
Sleeps up to 18
Bedrooms: 9

Achnacloich is a grand mid-19th century country mansion sitting on a 5,000-acre estate on the shores of Loch Etive in Argyll and Bute. Just 5 miles from Oban, this is a proper Scottish mansion original features throughout, a huge entrance hall and a drawing room that looks straight out of Downton Abbey. The formal dining room seats 15 for dinner. This is not a standard holiday let.

The estate runs right down to the loch. You can row to your own island, swim in Loch Etive, fish for brown trout and salmon or simply walk the grounds. The gardens are spectacular labelled tree specimens, woodland walks and benches placed at scenic viewpoints.

 

About Achnacloich

Achnacloich is a grand mid-19th century country mansion sitting on a 5,000-acre estate on the shores of Loch Etive in Argyll and Bute. Just 5 miles from Oban, this is a proper Scottish mansion original features throughout, a huge entrance hall and a drawing room that looks straight out of Downton Abbey. The formal dining room seats 15 for dinner. This is not a standard holiday let.

The estate runs right down to the loch. You can row to your own island, swim in Loch Etive, fish for brown trout and salmon or simply walk the grounds. The gardens are spectacular labelled tree specimens, woodland walks and benches placed at scenic viewpoints. Connel Bridge and the Falls of Lora are just 3.5 miles away.

Sleeping up to 18 guests across 9 bedrooms: one ground-floor twin with en-suite bath and walk-in shower, two doubles sharing a Jack and Jill shower room, two further doubles, three twins and a children's bunk room. Four bathrooms in total.

Oban Distillery (5 miles), Scottish Sealife Sanctuary (7 miles) and boat trips to Mull and Iona are all nearby.

Achnacloich suits large families, walking groups and celebrations. Repeat guests book year after year. Rated 4.8 from 36 reviews.

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Need To Know

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What Guests Love

Discover why our guests keep coming back to Achnacloich

Loch Etive setting

The mansion sits directly on the shores of Loch Etive with views stretching down the loch from the gardens and many rooms.

Row to your own island

A rowing boat is available for guests to row across to a private island one of the most talked-about highlights in guest reviews.

Grand original interiors

Dating to the mid-19th century, the house is packed with original features including an open log fire, wood flooring and a formal dining room for 15.

5,000-acre estate with stunning gardens

The grounds include woodlands, labelled tree specimens, lawns, viewpoints with benches and a brick-built barbecue all stretching to the loch.

Full-size snooker table and games room

Indoors there is a full-size snooker table, a games room, a play room and a DVD collection great for evenings and rainy days.

Sleeping up to 18 guests

With 9 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms across a spacious mansion, this property works well for large family gatherings, reunions and walking groups.

Getting To Achnacloich

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

From Oban take the A85 east towards Connel. Achnacloich is on the south shore of Loch Etive, approximately 5 miles from Oban town centre and 3.5 miles from Connel village. Ample off-road parking is available on the estate.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Oban, which sits on the Oban Line from Glasgow Queen Street. From Oban station it is approximately 5 miles to Achnacloich a short taxi ride along the A85.

Ample off-road parking on the estate
Oban railway station (5 miles)
Accessible via the A85, Connel, Argyll and Bute, PA37 1PR

Attractions & More Nearby

Everything you need within easy reach

Oban Distillery
Distance: 5 miles
PA34 5NH
Scottish Sealife Sanctuary
Distance: 7 miles
PA37 1SE
Falls of Lora
Distance: 3.5 miles
PA37 1PH
Connel to Loch Etive Shore Walk
Distance: 3.5 miles
PA37 1PH
Ben Cruachan (Munro)
Distance: 14 miles
PA33 1AN
Dunstaffnage Castle Grounds
Distance: 6 miles
PA37 1PZ
Connel Village Store
Distance: 3.4 miles
PA37 1PH
Dunbeg Stores
Distance: 4 miles
PA37 1QA
Oban Town Centre Shops
Distance: 5 miles
PA34 4BX
Oban Ferry Terminal (Mull, Iona, Staffa)
Distance: 5 miles
PA34 4DB
Oban Railway Station
Distance: 5 miles
PA34 4LW
Connel Bridge
Distance: 3.5 miles
PA37 1PH
Oban Distillery
Distance: 5 miles
PA34 5NH
Scottish Sealife Sanctuary
Distance: 7 miles
PA37 1SE
Falls of Lora
Distance: 3.5 miles
PA37 1PH
Connel to Loch Etive Shore Walk
Distance: 3.5 miles
PA37 1PH
Ben Cruachan (Munro)
Distance: 14 miles
PA33 1AN
Dunstaffnage Castle Grounds
Distance: 6 miles
PA37 1PZ
Connel Village Store
Distance: 3.4 miles
PA37 1PH
Dunbeg Stores
Distance: 4 miles
PA37 1QA
Oban Town Centre Shops
Distance: 5 miles
PA34 4BX
Oban Ferry Terminal (Mull, Iona, Staffa)
Distance: 5 miles
PA34 4DB
Oban Railway Station
Distance: 5 miles
PA34 4LW
Connel Bridge
Distance: 3.5 miles
PA37 1PH

Is Achnacloich Right For You?

Discover why this cottage is ideal for different types of visitors

For Families
Achnacloich is excellent for children. There is a dedicated play room, a games room with a full-size snooker table, swings, a climbing frame and a rowing boat to reach a private island. Two travel cots and two highchairs are provided. The 5,000-acre estate gives kids huge space to explore safely.
For Couples
Achnacloich is designed for large groups rather than couples it sleeps 18 and is best suited to families or group bookings. That said, couples joining a larger group will find the open log fire, loch views, rowing boat and stunning gardens genuinely special. Solo couples booking alone would find the scale of the property impractical.
Pet Friendly
Achnacloich does not accept pets. This is a firm policy with no exceptions. Guests travelling with dogs or other animals will need to find alternative accommodation. The estate's extensive grounds and loch access make it a shame, but the rule stands.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Achnacloich

The Oyster Inn

Located 4.4 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: PA37 1PH

The Falls of Lora Hotel

Located 3.5 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: PA37 1PB

The Glue Pot

Located 5 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: PA34 4BX

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Achnacloich

Does this cottage have a hot tub?
No, Achnacloich does not have a hot tub. The property does however offer a wealth of other features including an open log fire, a full-size snooker table, extensive loch-side gardens and a rowing boat for guests to use.
Is it pet friendly?
No, pets are not permitted at Achnacloich. This is a strict policy so guests with animals will need to make alternative arrangements for their stay.
How many guests can Achnacloich sleep?
The mansion sleeps up to 18 guests across 9 bedrooms. The bedrooms include a ground-floor twin with en-suite, two doubles sharing a Jack and Jill shower room, two further doubles, three twins and a children's bunk room.
What are the bathroom facilities like?
There are four bathrooms in total. Three bathrooms have baths, walk-in showers, basins, heated towel rails and WCs and one further bathroom has a bath, basin, heated towel rail and WC.
Is the property suitable for families with young children?
Yes, Achnacloich is well set up for families with two highchairs and two travel cots available. Note that guests must bring their own linen for the travel cots and the extensive grounds and loch access mean supervision of young children is important.
What outdoor activities are available at the property?
Guests can row to a private island, swim in Loch Etive, walk the 5,000-acre estate and fish for brown trout and salmon by arrangement. Clay pigeon shooting can also be arranged separately by contacting the owner directly.
What is the minimum stay at Achnacloich?
Full weeks only are accepted at Achnacloich. Short breaks cannot be accommodated due to housekeeper restrictions, so guests should plan accordingly when booking.
What cooking facilities are available?
The mansion has two fully equipped kitchens including an Aga, two electric ovens, hobs, a microwave, three fridges, a chest freezer, a dishwasher and a washing machine with tumble dryer. Fuel, power and logs for the fire are all included in the rental price.

Achnacloich Reviews

Antoine
Apr 2026
The house, I mean the castle is amazing. The view, the garden, the rooms are incredibles. Great stay with my whole family. At first we feel like visiting a museum, but very quick it became our house for this unforgettable stay in Scotland.
Apr 2026
We had a power cut and there is no information in the house notes about dealing with such an event. ... also the house notes need updating with regard to the bottle bank... the one in Oban apparently stopped a couple of years ago... Otherwise perfect as always..
Feb 2026
This was the third time we had visited Achnacloich and it never disappoints. With a week of rain it was always good to come back to such a great property, spacious, well equipped and with a living fire. We look forward to returning.
Franziska
Dec 2025
The setting is stunning everything was perfect special thanks to Wendy we had a great time!
Lesley
Oct 2025
What a fantastic place to be able to stay. We hosted my daughter's autumn wedding for close family and friends and despite us living not far away, didn't know about Achnacloich house. It truly was amazing. The house is well maintained and very comfortable, everything you could possibly need is provided. The accommodation is spotlessly clean with very comfortable beds, good quality linen and towels, and despite being a big house, lovely and warm and cosy in the cooler days. Well equipped kitchen with an Aga range, which I have never used before, but by the end of the week didn't want to go back to my electric cooker....and the whistling kettle, just reminded me of being back in my Grandma's kitchen.The grounds are stunning, with walks all around, so many tree species specimens, all labelled, the autumn colours were beautiful, stunning views and so lovely to see a familiar area from a different angle. There is a lot of history to the house which was so interesting to learn about. All of our group thoroughly complimented the accommodation and enjoyed their time there and have said they would definitely stay there again, and they are already recommending it to their friends. For me Achnacloich felt like a 'home', not just a rented property, it was both a pleasure and an honour to stay there, I would love to have stayed much longer and felt sad to leave what now feels like an old friend. I hope one day I will return. .
Jennifer
Sep 2025
We had a lovely stay. It is so easy to get lost in the house too so many rooms and hallways, you never know when you will find another bathroom hiding in a corner. My guests thoroughly enjoyed their stay and we look forward to coming back in 2027. We already reserved it!
Aug 2025
We had a wonderful stay. House was perfect for a large family and exactly as described. Beautiful grounds and views, could spend the entire stay on the grounds and in the house. Host was very responsive to questions and helpful. Highly recommend!
Jul 2025
We all loved the property although walk to the Loch was a bit of a trial for some of us ! Our weather was lovely and did think the outdoor furniture could be better We have been to other houses and usually there is wooden furniture more in line with house . All in all though lovely house and beautiful gardens Loved it Thank you
Ludovic
Jul 2025
A truly exceptional stay in a Scottish paradise Our stay at the manor was absolutely fantastic both the property itself and the surrounding environment exceeded all our expectations. The house is beautiful, extremely wellequipped, and offers every comfort one could hope for. The garden is stunning, the view breathtaking, and the entire place feels like a true slice of paradise. We had an unforgettable time here. A very special thank you to Wendy, the housekeeper, whose professionalism, kindness, and attentiveness throughout our stay made the experience even more memorable. We will never forget this beautiful stay and hope to return one day.
Jun 2025
A wonderful place for a group like us with an amazing atmosphere, on top of that house a wonderful garden in a a stunning surrounding. We would love to come back!
Apr 2025
Perfect for our walking holiday group. Enough space for whole party to spread out and relax. Superb house in spectacular location. Great facilities and perfect for groups or families.
Oct 2024
We had a wonderful time! !! The property manager Wendy was communicative and quick to respond to any questions or concerns we had. Achnacloich house itself was beautiful and spacious. It made the perfect location for our family gathering. Would love to stay again and recommend to friends and family for future stays!
Aug 2024
We had a wonderful hoilday at Achnacloich. The place is in the most wonderful location. For all ages we had a fantastic family hoilday. It was like we where in the book 'Swallows and Amazons' with lots of Fishing Walking Swimming & Boating. We would highly recommend Achnacloich to others if they wanted a similar type of outdoors family and friends hoilday.
Francois
Jun 2024
Our stay at Achnacloich Mansion was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we had stepped back in time and were living as royalty. The mansion's grand dimensions and timeless decor transported us to another era, making every moment special. The gardens surrounding the mansion are vast and beautifully maintained, offering a serene escape and breathtaking views. The highlight of our evenings was gathering in the large dining room, which comfortably accommodated all 15 of us for dinner. It was a perfect setting for our group to come together and create lasting memories. One of the most magical aspects of our stay was the stunning view of Loch Etive right in our backyard. Watching the sunsets over the loch was a daily ritual, each one more incredible than the last. Every day, we had to pinch ourselves to ensure we werent dreaming. Achnacloich Mansion is a true gem, offering a perfect blend of historical charm and natural beauty. Its an experience well never forget and one we highly recommend to anyone seeking a unique and luxurious getaway.
Frances
Mar 2024
A wonderful house in a beautiful location. We absolutely loved our stay at Achnacloich, it felt magical. We loved exploring the grounds, especially all of the nooks and viewpoints with benches, and we had fun rowing out to the island. The house felt very authentic and we found it a really interesting place to spend time and explore, rather than simply a place to stay! The living room felt cosy and had great views, and we thought the set up of the kitchens and dining room worked well and made it less of a challenge to feed so many people! Overall a great place to stay and we would absolutely recommend
Alasdair
Jul 2023
What a Heavenly spot! We loved all of the space in the house, the magnificent gardens and the coastal setting. Swimming and rowing to and from the island each day was a real highlight. We do hope to have the opportunity to return again.
Donald
Jun 2023
A grand house in a glorious garden with a great view down Loch Etive, suitable for large parties. There is lots to do in the area.
Jeremy
Jun 2023
We had a lovely stay at Achnacloish. The situation is unbeatable with beautiful grounds and a stunning view down Loch Etive. Wendy prepared a delicious and spectacular meal for us and we were generally very well looked after. Would highly recommend a stay here.
May 2023
Wonderful house in beautiful gardens. A great location near to Oban, mountains, lochs and the sea. Plenty of activities to keep all our group occupied.
Feb 2023
This was our second year at Achnachloich. Group of 10. It is a fantastic property. Lots of space, kitchen has everything you need, all well maintained and lots of character. Loads to do in the surrounding area helped by a fantastic week of weather.
Dec 2022
Fabulous property, amazing grounds, we had a fabulous stay over the new year period. A few points on what could have been better. The property was freezing cold on arrival and it took a few days to heat up. The host Wendy was very helpful and changed the heating settings. One of the guests went out and bought a heater for their bedroom. It would be good to invest in a longer tv aerial to allow the tv to be watched from the comfortable sofas around the living room. We felt the pictures made the property look plush but instead it was more shabby chic.
Aug 2022
Very beautiful location with stunning views. Having a boat and an island to explore was fantastic. House was great and Wendy very helpful. Thank you.
Aug 2022
We had a very enjoyable stay in a beautiful, well equipped and well located house. Everyone was very helpful and friendly. We would definitely recommend.
Jul 2022
Great house for a family holiday. perhaps a note to say the boathouse and jetty are a 'difficult' walk away........we had some wee ones with us and hadn't appreciated the tricky access.