The house is large enough to accommodate two families (or one large family) including well behaved dogs. The interior is that of a lived in country lodge, so you won’t feel like you’re walking on eggshells – just make yourself at home. Obviously we want people to respect the property, which is why we discourage stag and hen parties, or groups of under 21’s, but we also want you to feel like you can relax and let the kids play, while you enjoy watching the boats sail through the Crinan canal, or the weather roll over the Argyll hills.

The property benefits from a large, landscaped garden, oil central heating, a wood burning fire (with a full log basket supplied) and accessible ground floor rooms (including a bedroom). We have all the mod-cons including a large TV, DVD and CD player, a microwave and hair dryers, as well as a washing machine and tumble dryer in a separate utility room.

It's a family affair, Mike and Dinah live in Dunoon, on the Cowal peninsula of Argyll. Simon, Dinah's brother, lives locally so is on hand if necessary. Dinah runs Bookpoint, an independent bookshop and a community hub in the heart of Dunoon.

Once the children had flown the coop, there was no need to live in such a large house. Now we keep chickens in an an actual coop, and let other families enjoy the home comforts and tranquil pace of life in Cairnbaan.

We enjoy sailing and walking and good food, all of which can be enjoyed aplenty in Argyll. We’re sure you’ll have a great holiday at Shelburn Lodge, and we’re always available to answer any questions.

Argyll has plenty to offer holidaymakers no matter if you’re into adventuring or merely wish to escape from the hustle and bustle to beautiful surroundings.

Cairnbaan is a safe place for children to play, and the tow path by the canal makes for a nice walk or cycle route, with a hotel at each end offering good dining. Cairnbaan Hotel is a short walk away from Shelburne Lodge and Crinan Hotel is only a 90 minute walk, following the canal to Crinan. That means you can set off late in the morning, have lunch at Crinan, then head back to Cairnbaan in time for dinner.

There’s a plethora of places to visit and activities for the whole family to take part in. Too many for us to list here, but you’ll find useful leaflets in both of the hotels mentioned above. Below we’ve selected a range of options that we think might well be suited to a family holiday – but it’s by no means exhaustive.

But don’t forget, one of the biggest appeals about holidaying in a quiet village on a popular canal route, is the simple joy of doing nothing and just watching the world pass by!