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Argyll and Bute

Poppies, Saulmore

A garden centre, gift shop and tea room on the shore at Saulmore near Connel, with home baking, soups and seafood and a view across to Dunstaffnage Castle.

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Welcome

Poppies hides on the shore at Saulmore, just off the road between Oban and Connel, and its entrance is easy to miss.

Persevere, because it is a local favourite: a garden centre, a gift shop and a tea room all in one, right beside the water.

The nursery is well stocked with plants and shrubs, and there is a little gift shop. The tea room serves home baking, daily soups and local seafood, as well as a good breakfast. Sit on the deck outside and you look straight across the marina to the walls of Dunstaffnage Castle.

Poppies opens every day from nine until half past four, with plenty of parking.

The Daily

Arrives at 5am every day.

A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.

The Daily for 27 October, from Scotland with love. An aerial view shows a sandy cove between rocky headlands, a white house standing on the autumn-toned hillside above the turquoise sea.
A short drive awayKerrera Tea GardenAnother tea garden, on Kerrera.11 min by roadSee itKerrera Tea Garden
Before you go

Open every day, 9am to 4.30pm.

Where
Saulmore Shore, near Connel.
Tea room
Baking, soups, seafood.
View
Dunstaffnage Castle.

Opening hours

Monday
9am–4.30pm
Tuesday
9am–4.30pm
Wednesday
9am–4.30pm
Thursday
9am–4.30pm
Friday
9am–4.30pm
Saturday
9am–4.30pm
Sunday
9am–4.30pm

Eaten here? Tell others what to order and when to go, and the best go on this page with your name.

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Where it is

On the shore at Saulmore, off the A85 between Oban and Connel; the entrance is easy to miss, PA37 1PU.

Close byDunstaffnage.
  1. Dunstaffnage CastleDunstaffnage CastleOne of Scotland's oldest stone castles, built by the MacDougalls before 1240 on a rock at the mouth of Loch Etive.1 mile 3 min by road
  2. Ocean Explorer CentreOcean Explorer CentreThe marine scientists' visitor centre at Dunbeg, with a giant globe, microscopes on the Firth of Lorn and free entry.1 mile 3 min by road
  3. The Oyster Inn, ConnelThe Oyster Inn, ConnelAn old inn by the Falls of Lora at Connel.1 mile 2 min by road
  4. Connel BridgeConnel BridgeThe steel cantilever of 1903 over the Falls of Lora at the mouth of Loch Etive, built for the railway and now carrying the road.2 miles 3 min by road
  5. Fishing boats Kyrene and Dorus Mor moored in Oban harbour, McCaig's Tower above the townOban BayOban, a few miles along the coast.3 miles 5 min by road
Directions
Ganavan Sands, Argyll and ButeAttractionsGanavan Sands1.9 miles as the crow flies
A seafood platter at Ee-Usk in Oban: langoustines, oysters, mussels, a crab claw, scallops and smoked salmon on a white plate, with a glass of white wine.RestaurantsEe-Usk3.0 miles
The Drury from the lawn below: a grey granite Victorian villa with sandstone bay windows, dormers in the slate roof and tall chimneys.ObanThe DrurySleeps 22 · 3.1 miles
Sorcha Bakery, Argyll and ButeCafeSorcha Bakery, Oban3.1 miles
The Jetty Gallery, Argyll and ButeShoppingThe Jetty Gallery, Oban3.2 miles
A large abstract painting and framed works in the white gallery.AttractionsPassing Place Gallery3.2 miles
Oban Whisky and Fine Wines, Argyll and ButeShoppingOban Whisky and Fine Wines3.2 miles
Colourful waterfront buildings and McCaig's Tower overlooking Oban harbourAttractionsOban3.3 miles
The dark stone front of the Oban Distillery and its sign, Estd 1794.AttractionsOban Distillery3.3 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the tea room, and when each is next free.

Glencruitten House, Argyll and ButeGlencruitten House
  • To stay
  • In Oban
  • 3 miles from Poppies
Check datesThe Drury from the lawn below: a grey granite Victorian villa with sandstone bay windows, dormers in the slate roof and tall chimneys.The Drury
  • Sleeps 22
  • In Oban
  • 3 miles from Poppies
Free 29–31 OctTimber cabin with copper roof beside a loch, shaded by oak treesUisge Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Oban
  • 4 miles from Poppies
Check datesBlack timber-clad cabin with corrugated roof and stove flue, set among trees and long grassBeatha
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Oban
  • 4 miles from Poppies
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Argyll and ButeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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