Appin is a relatively large area stretching some 10 miles from Glen Creran to Duror and situated near Oban, Gateway to the Isles. Boasting some of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland, visitors love the peace and tranquility Appin has to offer.
There are also plenty of activities to enjoy including pony-trekking, watersports, boat hire, white water rafting and hillwalking not to mention the close proximity of Scotland’s most dramatic mountains in Glencoe and a bit further north, Britain’s highest, Ben Nevis. The picturesque village of Port Appin, 3 miles from the café, is also the departure point to the historic island of Lismore.
Location
We are located on the main A828 between Oban and Fort William on Scotland's west coast, 17 miles north of Oban and 22 miles south of Fort William. The perfect location for a half-way stop!
Monty Python
You may recognise the castle from somewhere a little out of the ordinary... Castle Stalker featured as "Castle Aaaaaaaargh" in the Monty Python cult classic The Holy Grail. It was a terrific backdrop for what was to become one of the most memorable scenes at the end of the film when Arthur and Belvedere reach the end of their quest and are promptly arrested by the local police.
"He who is valorous and pure of heart may find the Holy Grail in the aaaaarrrrrrggghhhh..."
Crossing a magical lake (Loch Linnhe)
towards Castle Aaaaarrrrgh
Entering the sacred Castle Aaaaarrrggh
Arthur and Bevedere leave the castle
Arrested!
History
The name Appin derives from the Gaelic “Apuin” meaning Abbeylands of the Lismore Abbey founded by St Moluag who brought Christianity from Ireland around 564 A.D.
Castle Stalker is a renowned Scottish landmark, the name originating from the Gaelic “Stalcaire” which means hunter or falconer. Originally a fortified building dating from 1320 and belonging to the MacDougalls, the castle was a stronghold of the Stewarts of Appin for many years. King James IV, who was a cousin of the Stewarts, made frequent hunting trips to the castle around the end of the 15th Century. In 1620, the castle passed into the hands of the Campbells as the result of a drunken wager by the Stewart Chief in exchange for an eight-oared wherry (a boat).
It was in 1908 that Charles Stewart of Achara purchased the castle, bringing it back into Stewart hands. Finally in 1965 Lt.Col. D.R. Stewart Allward negotiated terms to buy the castle, and spent the next 10 years restoring it with the help of his friends and family.
The castle can be visited at certain times of the year. Please visit www.castlestalker.com for dates. For more detailed tourist information on the area visit the Oban & Lorn Tourism Association at www.oban.org.uk.
Gallery
Images by Pete Hardy. Click to enlarge.
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