Barfad Holiday Cottages, Tarbert, Argyll

In the peaceful surroundings of 100 acres of farm and woodland, and with 1.75 miles of its own coastline along the shore of Loch Fyne, Barfad Holiday Cottages provide the perfect tranquil get-away destination.

Barfad Holiday Cottages consist of three cottages lovingly converted from an old stone barn, with two of these currently available for holiday lets. They boast beautiful coastlines and grand scenery within walking distance. The peace and quiet will make any stresses and strains of ordinary life disappear.

Just a 2-minute drive or a 15-minute walk through our beautiful woodlands is the bustling fishing village of Tarbert. From craft shops to souvenir shops and even a homemade candle shop there are plenty a place to browse. Tarbert also has a number of dog-friendly pubs and restaurants, cafés to enjoy a sit-in meal. At the weekend there is an outlet selling excellent local caught fish served with chips from the 'Silver Darlings' van at the marina where you can enjoy eating on one of the many picnic benches surrounding the Tarbert Harbour while taking in the view.

All dogs Welcome!

There is plenty to do during your stay at Barfad from stunning nature walks to a more relaxed day at the PortAvadie Spa boasting a heated outdoor infinity pool just a 20-minute ferry away – more about this fantastic day out plus more can be found in our ‘Things To Do’ tab.

PortAvadie Spa
Enjoy a day in Scotlands largest outdoor heated infinity pools or it’s Scandinavian Sauna and you will surely feel like you’ve spent a day in paradise. PortAvadie is only 20 minutes across the water on the ferry from Tarbert and is not to be missed. A fantastic day out to be enjoyed by all.

Whisky
Argyll & Bute is renowned for its whisky distilleries with people travelling from all over the world to take some of the local whisky tours. Campbeltown (Tarbert’s closest distilleries) has 3 distilleries; Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle. For those keen to travel a little further afield (including a ferry journey!) there is the world-famous Isle of Islay boasting well over 10 distilleries; Ardbeg, Laphroig, Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain to mention but a few.

History and Castles
There are many intriguing artefacts in the surrounding areas –standing stones can be found at Kilmartin Glen in Mid Argyll and sculptured stones can be found at at Kilberry and Kilmory Chapel. Tarbert has many surrounding castles, from it’s very own in Tarbert itself to Skipness castle – whilst there why not try some tasty seafood from the seafood cabin? A little further afield is Carnasserie and Inverary castles.

Beaches and Walks
For something a little different head to Shell beach where the small beach cove is made up entirely of broken shells from clams and queenies which were dropped in the water offshore many a year ago from the factory that used to process these foods and have washed onto the shore over time. For a more traditional sandy beach, the beautiful West Port and Machrihanish beaches towards Campbeltown are not to be missed. Tarbert is a perfect rural location for lots of forest and coastal walks as well as the famous Kintyre Way stretching the whole of the Kintyre peninsula offering some of the most stunning scenery in Scotland.

Golfing
Tarbert golf course has a 9-hole course with stunning moorland scenery and is quite challenging. Some 35 miles South lies the Machrihanish 18-hole course in truly spectacular coastal surroundings set within the Machrihanish Dunes. The opening hole requires a drive over the Atlantic Ocean and the course was redesigned in 1880 by Old Tom Morris himself. Or for a shorter round there is also the small 9-hole course.

Festivals
Tarbert hosts a range of festivals throughout the year with the first being held in May, the Scottish Series which is an annual yacht race dating back to 1977 and sees competitors and spectators returning year after year. From bands and a bar in the Marquee by the shore to entertainment in the local pubs it always delivers a weekend to remember.

The Seafood Festival held in July celebrates Tarbert’s seafood heritage and see’s the streets packed with stalls along the harbourside offering many fresh local delicacies and even cookery demonstrations. There is also a huge amount of entertainment organised for the 2-day festival and also sees the crowning of the Seafood Queen and her princesses. This is a great family fun filled weekend not to be missed!

The Music Festival is held in September and has been running since 1988. It helps showcase local talent as well as bands from a little further afield. This festival sees the weekend packed with a whole variety of bands playing in various locations throughout the village with the Sunday seeing an open-air concert held at the Quay, and little impromptu sessions in local pubs are not unheard of! See the link at the bottom of the page for a full list of the many festivals and dates.

Above see’s just a handful of the many wonderful things to do in and around Tarbert. Whether you find the peace and quiet of Barfad Cottages enough with it’s woodland walks and varied wildlife or you are looking for a more active and sightseeing holiday Barfad Cottages is the perfect place to stay.

Links
Portavadie
Islay Whisky Distilleries
Campbeltown Distillery
Tarbert Festivals
Calmac Ferries
Tarbert Village

Islands
Tarbert is the perfect base for visiting one of the many islands around the West Coast. From the glorious beaches on the Isle of Gigha, to the relaxing Auchrannie Spa on the Isle of Arran all islands offer a fantastic day out.