Ardfern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ardfern
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_2006-11-18.JPG) View of Ardfern, Scotland From the A816 road |
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 Ardfern
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| Population | 400 |
| OS grid reference | NM806043 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LOCHGILPHEAD |
| Postcode district | PA31 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Ardfern (pronounced Ard-fern) is a charming village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Its name comes from the Scottish Gaelic "Aird Fheàrna," which means "the head-land of alder-trees." This gives you a hint about the beautiful natural surroundings.
Ardfern is found on the southern coast of the Craignish peninsula. It faces out onto a body of water called Loch Craignish. The village is located between the towns of Oban to the north and Lochgilphead to the south. About 400 people call Ardfern home.
Contents
What Can You Find in Ardfern?
Ardfern has several useful places and services for its residents and visitors.
- The Galley of Lorne: This is the local pub and hotel in Ardfern. It's a great spot for food and a place to stay.
- Ardfern Yacht Centre: This center is a marina where boats can dock. It also offers repair services and sells boating supplies.
- Lucy's Ardfern: This popular café opened in 2020. It has received very good reviews, even being mentioned positively in The Times newspaper.
- Village Store: The village store provides everyday necessities for the community. It used to have a post office inside.
Craignish Village Hall: A Community Effort
The original Craignish Village Hall was built in the early 1950s. The land for it was kindly given by John Lindsay-MacDougall of Lunga. However, by 1997, the old hall was falling apart. Its kitchen was unsafe, and the building itself was crumbling.
The community knew a new hall was needed. They started working hard to raise money for a new building. By 2004, enough funds had been collected to begin construction. The cost had increased from £471,000 to £600,000 due to the delay. Luckily, more money was raised during construction. This allowed the project to be finished exactly as planned. The new Craignish Village Hall officially opened in 2005.
Ardfern's Past: A Quick Look
Ardfern has a long and interesting history. People have lived here since prehistoric times.
Early Settlements and Land Ownership
Around 600 AD, people who knew St. Columba settled in the area. The oldest church on Craignish, called Kilvaree, dates back to the 12th century or even earlier. Today, it is a ruin.
After 1778, most of the peninsula was owned by the Campbells of Craignish. They had been the main family in the area since about 1100. Over time, parts of their land were sold off. By 1850, most of the land was divided into two large estates. These were the Lunga estate to the north and the Craignish estate to the south.
This division largely remains the same today. However, in 1983, a part of the Lunga estate was sold. This land was used to create Craobh Haven. Craobh Haven is a modern marina and village built around a natural harbor. It is located on the western side of the peninsula.
Farming and Industry in the Past
For a long time, farming was the main job in Ardfern. Cattle from nearby islands like Jura and Scarba were brought ashore near Craignish point. They were then herded along the peninsula to markets on the mainland. These markets included Crieff and Falkirk.
There were three inns that helped these cattle drovers. Only one of them, now called the Galley of Lorne, still exists in Ardfern. It dates back to the 16th or 17th century. Farming continued into the early 20th century. There was also a busy weaving industry and three mills in the area.
Changes and Growth in Modern Times
In the 19th century, farming and traditional industries began to decline. The population of Ardfern fell from 1000 people to 451 by 1881. It reached a low of 200 people in the 1940s. Today, the population is more than 400.
Colin Lindsay-MacDougall, the current owner of the Lunga estate, saw that the community needed to change to survive. He worked to bring new life to the area. He created the Ardfern Yacht Centre to attract more people who enjoy sailing. He also reopened and improved the old inn, the Galley of Lorne.
He sold plots of land for houses to encourage people to move to Ardfern. He also supported artists and skilled workers needed for a thriving community. Thanks to these efforts, Ardfern today has a diverse and growing population.
The Yacht Centre and the new marina at Craobh Haven are now home to many cruising yachts. Tourism and related businesses bring a lot of money to the village. Ardfern is a bit isolated, being 16 miles (26 km) from Lochgilphead. Lochgilphead is the nearest small town and the administrative center for Argyll & Bute. Despite its isolation, Ardfern is a lively and successful community.
