Taynuilt
Encyclopedia
Taynuilt is a large village in Argyll and Bute
, Scotland
located at the western entrance to the narrow Pass of Brander.
. This is just to the west of a narrowing of the loch down to about 0.2 km. The larger River Awe
passes about 1 km to the east of the village and joins the loch just to the east of the narrow point. The West Highland Line
and A85 road
pass through the village.
on the north shore, and for centuries the village was a staging post and resting place for travellers. A small hill immediately to the east of the main street of the village was the site of Killespickerill, which was built in 1228 as the seat of the Bishop of Argyll
. Some of its ruins were incorporated into Muckairn Parish Church, built in 1829. On the north shore of Loch Etive more extensive ruins remain of Ardchattan Priory
, which was founded in 1230. In 1308 it was the venue for the last Scottish Parliament
held in Gaelic. A regular ferry service ran to Bonawe from 1690.
In 1753 the Bonawe Iron Furnace was constructed by the Newland Company, later known as Harrison Ainslie
. It stood just to the north of the village, between the rivers Nant and Awe, making use of timber from the local forests for charcoal
fuel to smelt iron ore brought by sea from England
. The furnace provided work for up to 600 charcoal burners, and was of such strategic importance that in 1756 a military road was constructed, crossing the Pass of Brander and the Bridge of Awe to reach the furnace. Twenty years afterwards the road was extended westward to Connel
, and later still on to Oban
. The factory produced 42,000 cannonballs in 1781. Closed in 1876, the furnace is still substantially complete and is a tourist attraction in the care of Historic Scotland
.
What is claimed to have been the first monument to be erected in Britain to commemorate the death of Nelson
at the Battle of Trafalgar
stands at Taynuilt with an inscription dated 1805 on its base, a reminder of the wide popularity of Nelson and of the many Scots crew and captains at the battle.
The Callander and Oban Railway
opened Taynuilt railway station
in 1880, making the village a popular place for tourists visiting the Scottish Highlands
. The ferry service across Loch Etive to Bonawe eventually became a car ferry. Connel Bridge
, which had been built to carry the railway over tidal rapids the mouth of the loch, with cars later sharing it as a toll bridge
, was converted to being a road bridge when the railway was closed. The Taynuilt to Bonawe ferry closed in 1966.
. Kelly's Pier has both old and new parts, with a sweep of pebble beach as well, where small craft can be launched. Day trips up and down the loch are available to see the seals on the Anne of Etive, which is a few minutes from Kelly's Pier. From the loch there are panoramic views of the loch, Bonawe, Ben Cruachan, and Connel.
The modern village has a population of about 800 people and is separated into a number of neighborhoods including Kirkton, Ichrachan, Airds and Hafton. There are two council schemes, Cruachan Cottages and Achlonan. The main A85 road
skirts around to the south of the village, so passing motorists only catch a glimpse of the village. Taynuilt Golf Club lies immediately to the northwest of the village and enjoys scenic views over Airds Bay. Taynuilt Shinty Club
plays in the village. Other amenities in village include a village hall , various shops such as, a hairdresser, The Robins Nest Tearoom, a post office, a doctor's office with a pharmacy, grocery shop, butchers and a recently opened bakery. There used to be a toy shop which has since closed and is used a store room.
and Donald Shaw
of the folk group
Capercaillie
are from Taynuilt.
Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute is both one of 32 unitary council areas; and a Lieutenancy area in Scotland. The administrative centre for the council area is located in Lochgilphead.Argyll and Bute covers the second largest administrative area of any Scottish council...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
located at the western entrance to the narrow Pass of Brander.
Location
The village is situated on the River Nant about a kilometre before the river flows into Loch Etive at Airds BayAirds Bay
Airds Bay is a small bay south-west of Port Appin on the west coast of Scotland. It is located at the south-western end of Appin in Argyll and Bute, forming an inlet north of the mouth of Loch Creran. The bay looks out over the Lynn of Lorn, between Loch Linnhe and Loch Creran....
. This is just to the west of a narrowing of the loch down to about 0.2 km. The larger River Awe
River Awe
The River Awe is a short river in the Southwest Highlands of Scotland by which the freshwater Loch Awe empties into Loch Etive, a sea loch.The river flows from a barrage which stretches across the end of a deep arm of the loch which protrudes northwestward through the Pass of Brander from the...
passes about 1 km to the east of the village and joins the loch just to the east of the narrow point. The West Highland Line
West Highland Line
The West Highland Line is considered the most scenic railway line in Britain, linking the ports of Mallaig and Oban on the west coast of Scotland to Glasgow. The line was voted the top rail journey in the world by readers of independent travel magazine Wanderlust in 2009, ahead of the iconic...
and A85 road
A85 road
The A85 is a major road in Scotland. It runs east from Oban along the south bank of Loch Etive, through Lochawe and Tyndrum, Crianlarich, Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Crieff before passing through Perth, where it crosses the River Tay via Perth Bridge. Its name between the latter two locations is...
pass through the village.
History
The narrows form a natural crossing to BonaweBonawe
Bonawe is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland opposite Taynuilt on the north shore of Loch Etive, most famous for Bonawe Quarry . Bonawe is primarily a linear settlement along on the B845 road and the coast.-Etymology:...
on the north shore, and for centuries the village was a staging post and resting place for travellers. A small hill immediately to the east of the main street of the village was the site of Killespickerill, which was built in 1228 as the seat of the Bishop of Argyll
Bishop of Argyll
The Bishop of Argyll or Bishop of Lismore was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Argyll, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics. It was created in 1200, when the western half of the territory of the Bishopric of Dunkeld was formed into the new diocese. The bishops were based at Lismore...
. Some of its ruins were incorporated into Muckairn Parish Church, built in 1829. On the north shore of Loch Etive more extensive ruins remain of Ardchattan Priory
Ardchattan Priory
The Ardchattan Priory was a Valliscaulian monastic community in Ardchattan, Argyll, Scotland. It was founded in 1230 by Duncan MacDougal, Lord of Argyll. From the early 14th century, the Prior of Ardchattan held the chantership of Lismore Cathedral. In April 1510 it was incorporated as a cell of...
, which was founded in 1230. In 1308 it was the venue for the last Scottish Parliament
Parliament of Scotland
The Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
held in Gaelic. A regular ferry service ran to Bonawe from 1690.
In 1753 the Bonawe Iron Furnace was constructed by the Newland Company, later known as Harrison Ainslie
Harrison Ainslie
The firm of Harrison Ainslie & Co. was a British firm of ironmasters and iron ore merchants, selling high quality haematite from their mines on Lindal Moor to smelters in Glasgow, Scotland, South Wales and the Midlands. From a 21st century perspective, they are more interesting as the last...
. It stood just to the north of the village, between the rivers Nant and Awe, making use of timber from the local forests for charcoal
Charcoal
Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen...
fuel to smelt iron ore brought by sea from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The furnace provided work for up to 600 charcoal burners, and was of such strategic importance that in 1756 a military road was constructed, crossing the Pass of Brander and the Bridge of Awe to reach the furnace. Twenty years afterwards the road was extended westward to Connel
Connel
Connel is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is situated on the southern shore of Loch Etive. The Lusragan Burn flows through the village and into the loch....
, and later still on to Oban
Oban
Oban Oban Oban ( is a resort town within the Argyll and Bute council area of Scotland. It has a total resident population of 8,120. Despite its small size, it is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William and during the tourist season the town can be crowded by up to 25,000 people. Oban...
. The factory produced 42,000 cannonballs in 1781. Closed in 1876, the furnace is still substantially complete and is a tourist attraction in the care of Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for historic monuments in Scotland.-Role:As its website states:...
.
What is claimed to have been the first monument to be erected in Britain to commemorate the death of Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of...
at the Battle of Trafalgar
Battle of Trafalgar
The Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars ....
stands at Taynuilt with an inscription dated 1805 on its base, a reminder of the wide popularity of Nelson and of the many Scots crew and captains at the battle.
The Callander and Oban Railway
Callander and Oban Railway
The Callander and Oban Railway company was formed in 1864 with the objective of linking Callander, Scotland to the west coast port of Oban over challenging terrain, particularly at Glen Ogle and the Pass of Brander at Loch Awe. Callander had been reached in 1858 by the Dunblane, Doune and Callander...
opened Taynuilt railway station
Taynuilt railway station
Taynuilt railway station is a railway station serving the village of Taynuilt in western Scotland. This station is on the Oban branch of the West Highland Line, originally part of the Callander and Oban Railway.- History :...
in 1880, making the village a popular place for tourists visiting the Scottish Highlands
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
. The ferry service across Loch Etive to Bonawe eventually became a car ferry. Connel Bridge
Connel Bridge
Connel Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans Loch Etive at Connel in Scotland. The bridge takes the A828 road across the narrowest part of the loch, at the Falls of Lora.- Construction :...
, which had been built to carry the railway over tidal rapids the mouth of the loch, with cars later sharing it as a toll bridge
Toll bridge
A toll bridge is a bridge over which traffic may pass upon payment of a toll, or fee.- History :The practice of collecting tolls on bridges probably harks back to the days of ferry crossings where people paid a fee to be ferried across stretches of water. As boats became impractical to carry large...
, was converted to being a road bridge when the railway was closed. The Taynuilt to Bonawe ferry closed in 1966.
Facilities
Taynuilt has two main beaches. Airds Bay is a pebble bay with beautiful views to the Duirinnis hill and BonaweBonawe
Bonawe is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland opposite Taynuilt on the north shore of Loch Etive, most famous for Bonawe Quarry . Bonawe is primarily a linear settlement along on the B845 road and the coast.-Etymology:...
. Kelly's Pier has both old and new parts, with a sweep of pebble beach as well, where small craft can be launched. Day trips up and down the loch are available to see the seals on the Anne of Etive, which is a few minutes from Kelly's Pier. From the loch there are panoramic views of the loch, Bonawe, Ben Cruachan, and Connel.
The modern village has a population of about 800 people and is separated into a number of neighborhoods including Kirkton, Ichrachan, Airds and Hafton. There are two council schemes, Cruachan Cottages and Achlonan. The main A85 road
A85 road
The A85 is a major road in Scotland. It runs east from Oban along the south bank of Loch Etive, through Lochawe and Tyndrum, Crianlarich, Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Crieff before passing through Perth, where it crosses the River Tay via Perth Bridge. Its name between the latter two locations is...
skirts around to the south of the village, so passing motorists only catch a glimpse of the village. Taynuilt Golf Club lies immediately to the northwest of the village and enjoys scenic views over Airds Bay. Taynuilt Shinty Club
Taynuilt Shinty Club
Taynuilt Shinty Club is a shinty team based in Taynuilt, Scotland. The club has existed in several different forms most recently in junior form but has reformed and won South Division Two in 2009.-History:...
plays in the village. Other amenities in village include a village hall , various shops such as, a hairdresser, The Robins Nest Tearoom, a post office, a doctor's office with a pharmacy, grocery shop, butchers and a recently opened bakery. There used to be a toy shop which has since closed and is used a store room.
Famous persons
Karen MathesonKaren Matheson
Karen Matheson OBE is a Scottish folk singer, who frequently sings in Scottish Gaelic. She is lead singer of the group Capercaillie and was a member of Dan Ar Braz's group L'Heritage des Celtes, with whom she often sang lead vocals, either alone or jointly with Elaine Morgan...
and Donald Shaw
Donald Shaw (musician)
Donald Shaw is a Scottish musician, composer, producer, and one of the founding members of the group Capercaillie. His sister is fiddler Eilidh Shaw....
of the folk group
Music of Scotland
Scotland is internationally known for its traditional music, which has remained vibrant throughout the 20th century, when many traditional forms worldwide lost popularity to pop music...
Capercaillie
Capercaillie (band)
Capercaillie is a Scottish folk band, founded in the 1980s by Donald Shaw and fronted by Karen Matheson. They have seen four of their albums placed in the UK Albums Chart, and continue to perform and record to the present day.-History:...
are from Taynuilt.
External links
- Taynuilt Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland
- OS Grid RefBritish national grid reference systemThe Ordnance Survey National Grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references used in Great Britain, different from using latitude and longitude....
- Life On The West Coast Of Scotland, Local Weather Cam