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Our Location
A stay at The George gives you the perfect base for enjoying the very best of Scotland, Argyll and The West Coast of Scotland. Our town, Inveraray is full of stunning walks, cute shops and small galleries and of course Loch Fyne is never more than a few steps away.
Inveraray
The present town of Inveraray was the first planned town in Scotland. It was conceived by the 3rd Duke of Argyll, Archibald Campbell, Lord Ilay, from 1743.
Inveraray sits at the top of the longest sea loch in Scotland, Loch Fyne, 1hr 30 mins north west from Glasgow and 2hrs 30 mins from Edinburgh.
It is known as the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’ and is conveniently located between Oban, Campbeltown, Dunoon and Helensburgh.
Loch Fyne
The longest sea loch in Scotland stretching south down to Campbeltown on the Kintyre Peninsula. The Loch has a long history of fishing with Inveraray having 500 fishing boats landing at the Pier in the early 1800’s. Herring was the staple catch.
Argyll
The Adventure Coast of Argyll is 5000 miles long, more than the whole coastline of France. It’s history dates back to ancient Kings of Dal Riata being crowned on Dunadd Hill. This is where the present family owner was married.
The population is only 90,000 for this vast expanse of land and 23 inhabited islands. An amazing area to escape the distractions of modern life.
It’s all there for you, sea adventures, Munro bagging, seven National Nature Reserves, beaches, the islands of Tiree, Coll, Iona, Mull, Rhum, Jura and Islay, distilleries and abundant wildlife.
More Information:
Wild About Argyll (with downloadable guides)
Gardens of Argyll
Inveraray Castle Gardens
The garden covers sixteen acres, of which, around two acres are formal lawns and flowerbeds, the remainder being park and woodland. Extending to 180 hectares they form one of the most important designed landscapes in Scotland.
Ardkinglas Gardens
Ardkinglas' favourable growing conditions lead to the exceptional size and longevity exhibited by many of the coniferous species introduced via the 19th century plant-hunters. The Champion Trees at Ardkinglas include 'the mightiest conifer in Europe' a remarkable European Silver Fir (Abies alba) with a girth of nearly ten metres.
Benmore Gardens
Benmore with its magnificent mountainside setting is a joy to behold. Its 49 Hectares/120 acres boast a world-famous collection of flowering trees and shrubs including over 300 species of rhododendron and over one third of the world’s hardy conifer species.
Crarae Gardens
A spectacular 50-acre woodland garden in a dramatic setting. Crarae has a wonderful collection of woody plants centred on the Crarae Burn, which is spanned by several bridges and tumbles through a rocky gorge in a series of cascades.
Arduaine
Gardens
The garden was begun on a bare promontory in 1898 by James Arthur Campbell and continued by two succeeding generations of his family. In 1965 Arduaine House was sold and became the Loch Melfort Motor Inn, later the Loch Melfort Hotel.
More on gardens in our area...
This website, dedicated to the beautiful gardens of Argyll and Bute is an excellent guide.
The West Coast of Scotland
Empty beaches, sea lochs, fresh water lochs, wildlife and hills all around. Escapism, history and wild, fresh, local food.
Within reach
Oban
Nestled on the west coast and surrounded by miles of dramatic shores and beautiful countryside, the seaside town of Oban is a great place for a holiday. Often called the 'Gateway to the Isles', many people travel to Oban as part of a west coast adventure.
Kilmartin Glen
In the New York times top 5 places to visit in 2023. Forts, castles and 5000 year old standing stones. Dunadd Fort where Scottish kings were once crowned.
Kilchurn Castle & Loch Awe
Kilchurn Castle is a marvellously evocative ruin with a stunning setting on Loch Awe.
Campbeltown
The peaceful little town of Campbeltown situated on the beautiful peninsula of Kintyre is one of the largest towns in Argyll and home to the Glen Scotia, Glengyle and Springbank distilleries.
Located on a deep bay sheltered by Davaar Island and the surrounding hills, it is an ideal base for exploring the many attractions of scenic southern Kintyre.
Islay & the Hebrides
The Whisky Isle, the Queen of the Hebrides. Ask our driver to take you - you won't regret it.
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs
Scotland's first National Park is packed with interesting corners for you to explore. Take a cruise on the loch and admire the mighty bulk of Ben Lomond, Scotland's most southerly Munro, as well as the jagged shoulders of the Arrochar Alps. You could even visit one of the loch's 30 islands.
The Town
The Royal Burgh of Inveraray, nestling near the head of Loch Fyne, is a perfectly maintained Scottish, Georgian era conservation town, built from the 1740’s and is beautifully preserved to this day.
Inveraray is the perfect Scottish destination, the epitome of a historic Scottish coastal town, complete with castle, lochs, gleaming white Georgian buildings, seafood caught responsibly just moments away and lots of Whisky!
Walk Highlands - Guide to walking in and around Inveraray.
Our Community
The George owes so much to our incredible local community here in Inveraray and Argyll. In return we do everything we can to support our local pensioners, Shinty team, Inveraray Golf Club, Inspire Inveraray and other local organisations as well as excellent, grass roots charities throughout Scotland. We sponsor the World Caber Tossing championship at the Inveraray Highland Games.
Main Street
A beautiful, listed street of black and white Georgian buildings with galleries, shops, cafes and never more than a few steps from the shores of Loch Fyne.
Shops in Inveraray
Loch Fyne Whiskies
McIntyres
Countrywear
The Harbour Gallery
The Courtyard
Dreamtime Studio
Purdies Soap
Inveraray Bell Tower
In 1914 the 10th Duke of Argyll, Niall Diarmid Campbell, became the Honorary Colonel of The 8th Battalion of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. When the First World War ended he decided that there should be a fitting memorial to commemorate the Clan Campbell dead.
The construction of the 126 foot high tower was begun in 1921 and completed ten years later in 1931. The striking outline of All Saints Bell Tower can be seen for miles along Loch Fyne, dominating the town of Inveraray.
The peal of 10 bells was cast by John Taylor and Company in Loughborough in 1920. The heaviest bell, the Tenor, weighs 2112kg making Inveraray the second heaviest peal of 10 bells in the world (the heaviest being Wells Cathedral, England).
Inveraray Jail
Step through the doors of Inveraray Jail and step back in time to a 19th-century prison. Experience what life was like for the real men, women and children – some as young as seven – who were tried and locked up here. Explore the atmospheric historic buildings at your leisure and meet the costumed characters who animate the past in this unique living museum.
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Inveraray Castle
Inveraray Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell and the iconic, a must-see visitor attraction on the West Coast of Scotland.
Inveraray Castle is just minutes walk from The George Hotel. Find out more about the Castle and its history and take a trip around the beautiful grounds & gardens.
Auchindrain Township
Step back in time and discover Scotland’s rural history at Auchindrain, the most complete and well-preserved example of a Scottish Highland farm township. Vividly imagine life in the old Highlands as you walk through the settlement and see how ordinary people lived and worked. Step into the restored longhouses, see the objects of everyday life and learn about the past inhabitants. Explore the byres, stables and fields to understand how groups of families worked the land in common. Uncover a fascinating, long-vanished Scottish way of life deep in the hills of Argyll.
Inveraray Golf Course
Inveraray is a nine-hole course with a total length of 5, 598-yards. The nine holes consist of two par threes, one par five and six par fours.
The course is set on the shore of Loch Fyne with splendid views of the course and surrounding countryside, so if you happen to run into a bit of bother during your round, then just take refuge in the surrounding panorama.
The Inveraray Highland Games
The Games celebrate our rich culture and heritage with field and track events, piping, highland dancing competitions and heavyweight events including the world championships for tossing the caber. You will also find a good selection of local Scottish food and drink. Games day starts with a parade from the Town to the Games field with the Pipe Band which starts promptly at 10.45am which takes around 15-20 minutes.
By then, the Piping, Highland Dancing and Track events are already underway and continue throughout the day until around 4.30pm-5.30pm. The Heavy events commence around 11.00am and continue throughout the day with the World Caber Tossing Championship around 3.30pm.
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Inveraray
Shinty Team
Remarkable shot of Inveraray Shinty team in 1882, one of the earliest shinty clubs to be photographed (left).
Inveraray Shinty Club are a shinty club from Inveraray, Argyll. The club was formed after a public meeting in 1877. Today the first team play in the National Division and the reserve team in South Division 2.
You can watch them play at their home pitch beside Inveraray Castle.
Munro Bagging
Loch Lomond and Loch Long
Bag these: Ben Lomond, Beinn Ime, Beinn Dubh, Beinn Mhor and Ben Arthur (The Cobbler)
Loch Awe
Bag these: Ben Cruachan, Beinn Eunaich and Beinn a’Chochuill
Tyndrum
Bag these: Beinn Oss, Beinn a Chleibh, Ben Lui and Ben More
Inveraray Pier
Situated at the northern end of Loch Fyne the Royal Burgh of Inveraray overlooks the loch with its deep waters, sheltered bays and superb onshore facilities. The pier is the seaway to Inveraray, and the town is a gateway to the Highlands & Islands providing an excellent base for day touring and placed within easy access south (A83) to the Mull of Kintyre; west (A819 -A85) to Oban on the west coast with access to the Islands; north (A83-A82) to Glencoe and Fort William; and south-east (A83) to Loch Lomond and Glasgow.
The pier is owned and managed, on behalf of the community of Inveraray, by Inspire Inveraray.
The Pier's website is an excellent resouce with tide times and information of mooring.
Dùn na Cuaiche
The Dùn na Cuaiche watchtower was completed in 1749 under the policies of Roger Morris, William Adam and William Douglas at a cost of £47.
It is said to cast a benevolence over the town. It is a one hour wander up the 800 foot of hill, You can find more details on the Inveraray Castle website below.
Visitors can't miss the tower up on the hill as they arrive in Inveraray - it takes around 45 minutes to walk to the top for a wonderful view of Inveraray.
Neil Munro & The Vital Spark
Born in Inveraray in Argyll, in 1863, Neil Munro is best known for his ‘Para Handy’ stories these days but his writing career encompassed journalism, poetry and criticism, as well as his novels, making him one of the most visible literary figures of his time.
Visit The Vital Spark, the famous red boat at Inveraray Pier and famous from Munro's stories.
Argyll
Adventure
Argyll Adventure is just a few minutes drive from Inveraray and is home to a variety of exciting themed activities which will keep the whole family entertained for hours, We are the only Visit Scotland five star attraction in the area and have been ranked the number one attraction in Inveraray by Trip Advisor.