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Seal Cabin, Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute

Seal Cabin

For two, with one bedroom, firewood and room for the dog. Two nights at least.

Book on their website
Welcome

The Woodside Lodge estate's old Victorian boathouse, on the rocks at the edge of Loch Goil: a cabin for two with a log burner, a bed up a ladder and a deck where the seals come by at breakfast.

Seal Cabin is a little red timber cabin for two at the very edge of Loch Goil, on the Woodside Lodge estate near Lochgoilhead, and it began life as the estate's Victorian boathouse. It stands on the rocks with a deck over the shore, and French doors open from the living room onto it, with views over the loch, the mountains and the woods.

Inside it's all white panelling, with a log burner and a sofa, and the double bed is up a ladder on the mezzanine, under a clover-shaped window in the gable. There's a very small kitchen and a wet room, and a welcome pack, dressing gowns and slippers are waiting when you arrive. Platters and drinks can be ordered ahead, with five days' notice.

Iain Hopkins, who has looked after Woodside Lodge for thirty years, meets every guest himself, and calls breakfast on the deck, with a seal making an appearance, the best start to a day here. He can book restaurants, arrange a boat trip on the loch to the seal colony and Carrick Castle, and collect you from Arrochar & Tarbet station or the airport. Seal Cabin is also where many of the estate's elopements begin.

Good to know: stays are from two nights to five, one dog is welcome, and there's Wi-Fi and a DVD player.

Iain Hopkins leans against the red timber boathouse at Woodside Lodge, his border collie lying by a pile of logs.
People remember how they were treated long after they forget what something cost.
Iain Hopkins
Our interviewWoodside Lodge: The Jewel of Loch GoilRead our interview
What is here

A one-room cabin for two with a log burner, French doors onto a deck over the loch, a mezzanine double bed reached by a ladder, a very small kitchen with a fridge, hob, toaster, kettle and microwave, a wet room, Wi-Fi and a DVD player.

Wood for fires
Private terrace or patio
Outdoor dining area
Board games
Books
Dog friendly
Kitchen
Local maps and guides
TV
Welcome hamper
Wifi
Wood-burning stove
Good to know
Arrival
Check-in from 4pm, departure at 10am.
Included
A welcome pack, towels, dressing gowns, slippers, toiletries and a dog basket with treats.
Dogs
One dog, for a £30 fee.
Stays
Two to five nights.
Food
Seafood, charcuterie and cheese platters, with champagne, wine and beer, to order ahead.
Activities
Boat hire, mountain biking and paddle boarding can be arranged.
At Woodside Lodge on Loch Goil
A stone cottage with a slated roof sits nestled among dense woodland, two paddleboards resting on the lawn in front.Red Squirrel CottageSleeps 6Check datesThe whole placeWoodside Lodge on Loch GoilBoth places, and where they are.See Woodside Lodge on Loch Goil
Where it is

Seal Cabin is on the Woodside Lodge estate near Lochgoilhead, on the shore of Loch Goil in Argyll, about 75 minutes from Glasgow by car.

If you're coming by train, the station to use is Arrochar & Tarbet, and the lodge can also arrange a driver from Glasgow Central, Glasgow Queen Street, Glasgow Airport or Prestwick.

Close by
  1. A coffee on a timber table at the Boat Shed.The Boat Shed CaféA small café in the boat shed at Loch Goil Cruisers, Lochgoilhead, with home baking and feeders for red squirrels outside the window.Under half a mile 1 min by road
  2. Loch Goil between steep, wooded hills.Loch GoilA small, fjord-like sea loch in the national park, reached by a single-track road from the Rest and Be Thankful.1 mile 3 min by road
  3. Carrick Castle on the shore of Loch Goil under low cloud.Carrick CastleA 15th-century Campbell tower house at the water's edge on Loch Goil, its walls reflected in the loch.3 miles 7 min by road
  4. The blacksmith at the glowing forge.Strachur Smiddy Museum and CraftsA village blacksmith's shop at Strachur, worked by four generations of Montgomerys and kept as a museum with a working forge.6 miles as the crow flies
  5. The Tinkers' Heart, white quartz pebbles set in a heart in the old road surface.Tinkers’ Heart8 miles 13 min by road
  6. Beinn Ìme above an old stone bridge in autumn colour.Beinn ImeThe highest of the Arrochar Alps, 1,012 metres above Loch Long, climbed from Succoth with rocky Beinn Narnain.9 miles 14 min by road
  7. Chilled counter and shelves of jars inside the Loch Fyne Deli and ShopLoch Fyne Oyster Bar13 miles 20 min by road
  8. Two ribs on the loch.Loch Lomond Leisure Boat HireBoats, kayaks and paddleboards for hire at Luss Pier and Balloch, from rowing boats to speedboat charters.25 miles 37 min by road
Walks from here
  1. Arrochar and TarbetArrochar and Tarbet4½ miles, about four hours8 miles away
Directions
Walkers descend a rocky hillside path beside a tumbling burnAttractionsThe Cobbler9.4 miles
A dark timber cabin with a pitched metal roof stands among ferns and birch trees.CairndowKabnSleeps 2 · 9.8 miles
The Fyne Ales farm buildings in the glen from above.AttractionsFyne Ales13 miles
Wooden footbridge leading to stone steps through mossy woodlandAttractionsTarbet16 miles
The road climbing Glen Croe to the Rest and Be Thankful between steep green hills.AttractionsRest and be Thankful16 miles
Picnic tables under the trees by the loch.AttractionsFirkin Point19 miles
Loch Lomond and its hills from the slopes of Ben Lomond.AttractionsBen Lomond19 miles
White cottages with black roofs beside a loch, timber-clad building in foregroundRestaurantsInver, Strathlachlan22 miles
Ruined stone tower on a small wooded promontory beside a lochAttractionsOld Castle Lachlan22 miles

Recommend to a friend

Days out from Seal CabinAll days out from here
  1. Carrick Castle and the Cormonachan woods on Loch GoilCarrick Castle and the Cormonachan woods on Loch Goil3 miles away A few hours
  2. The Allt Robuic waterfalls walk at GlenbranterThe Allt Robuic waterfalls walk at Glenbranter5 miles away A few hours
  3. The Rest and Be Thankful and a walk across the Tarbet isthmusThe Rest and Be Thankful and a walk across the Tarbet isthmus6 miles away A few hours
  4. The Laird's Trail walk at Ardentinny beachThe Laird's Trail walk at Ardentinny beach6 miles away A few hours
  5. Ardkinglas Woodland Garden and lunch at Loch Fyne OystersArdkinglas Woodland Garden and lunch at Loch Fyne Oysters7 miles away A few hours
  6. Inveraray Jail and lunch at the GeorgeInveraray Jail and lunch at the George9 miles away A few hours
  7. Travelling Around Loch FyneTravelling Around Loch Fyne9 miles away A day out
  8. A walk up Dun na Cuaiche above Inveraray CastleA walk up Dun na Cuaiche above Inveraray Castle9 miles away A few hours
  9. Luss Heritage Path walkLuss Heritage Path walk11 miles away A few hours
  10. Historic Kilmun and lunch on Loch EckHistoric Kilmun and lunch on Loch Eck11 miles away A few hours
  11. A walk to Old Castle Lachlan from InverA walk to Old Castle Lachlan from Inver12 miles away A few hours
  12. Castle Hill and West Bay in DunoonCastle Hill and West Bay in Dunoon14 miles away A few hours
  13. Conic Hill and lunch at the Oak Tree InnConic Hill and lunch at the Oak Tree Inn15 miles away A few hours
  14. Balmaha, Conic Hill and Inchcailloch by train and busBalmaha, Conic Hill and Inchcailloch by train and bus15 miles away A day out
  15. SEA LIFE Loch Lomond and a cruise from BallochSEA LIFE Loch Lomond and a cruise from Balloch16 miles away A few hours
  16. A walk to the Falls of Falloch and lunch at the Drovers InnA walk to the Falls of Falloch and lunch at the Drovers Inn16 miles away A few hours
  17. Balloch Castle Country Park and lunch at the Tullie InnBalloch Castle Country Park and lunch at the Tullie Inn16 miles away A few hours
  18. RSPB Loch Lomond and the Dumpling hill at GartocharnRSPB Loch Lomond and the Dumpling hill at Gartocharn17 miles away A few hours
  19. St Conan's Kirk and afternoon tea at the Oban Bay HotelSt Conan's Kirk and afternoon tea at the Oban Bay Hotel18 miles away A few hours
  20. Kilchurn Castle and lunch at the Hollow Mountain CafeKilchurn Castle and lunch at the Hollow Mountain Cafe18 miles away A few hours
  21. Following the Quiet Road Around Loch AweFollowing the Quiet Road Around Loch Awe18 miles away A day out
  22. A drive along the Kyles of Bute and lunch at PortavadieA drive along the Kyles of Bute and lunch at Portavadie18 miles away A few hours
  23. The Lochan Spling walk in Loch Ard ForestThe Lochan Spling walk in Loch Ard Forest19 miles away A few hours
  24. A walk up to the Cruachan Dam above Loch AweA walk up to the Cruachan Dam above Loch Awe19 miles away A few hours
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