Asknish Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Asknish Bay |
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Asknish Bay. The view across Asknish Bay from Loch Melfort Hotel. The white patch at the far side of the bay is the masts of the yachts moored in the marina at Craobh Haven
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 Asknish Bay
Location in Argyll and Bute
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| Location | Argyll and Bute, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 56°13′55.0740″N 5°33′19.7712″W / 56.231965000°N 5.555492000°W |
| Ocean/sea sources | Atlantic Ocean |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Max. length | 1.26 km (0.78 mi) |
| Max. width | 0.4 km (0.25 mi) |
Asknish Bay is a small, quiet bay located in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It faces southwest and is found near the small village of Arduaine. This beautiful bay is part of the larger Loch Melfort area. It's about 12 miles (20 km) south of the bigger town of Oban on Scotland's west coast.
Exploring Asknish Bay
Asknish Bay is a lovely spot to visit. It's known for its peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty. The bay is quite small, measuring about 1.26 kilometers (0.78 miles) long and 0.4 kilometers (0.25 miles) wide. Its waters connect to the vast Atlantic Ocean.
Nearby Villages
The main road, the A816, which connects Oban to Lochgilphead, passes right by Asknish Bay. This makes it easy to reach.
- To the north, the biggest village nearby is Kilmelford.
- To the south, the closest larger village is Kilmartin.
Natural Surroundings
Asknish Bay is surrounded by interesting natural features.
- To the east, you'll find Arduaine Point. This is a headland that forms the western part of Loch Melfort's southern coast. Its name, "Rudh' Arduaine," means "Green Promontory" in Gaelic.
- Just off the coast to the west of the bay, you can see the island of Shuna. This island is part of a group called the Slate Islands.
- Even larger is the island of Luing, which is separated from Shuna by a narrow channel called the Shuna Sound.
- A small, rocky island named Eilean Creagach sits a few hundred feet from the entrance to Asknish Bay.
Arduaine Gardens
One of the most famous places near Asknish Bay is the Arduaine Gardens. These gardens are located on the small peninsula that includes Arduaine Point. The National Trust for Scotland looks after these beautiful gardens.
- The gardens are especially famous for their huge collection of Rhododendron plants. There are about 229 different types of rhododendrons here!
- These plants were originally brought and planted by Arthur Campbell, who was a wealthy tea merchant. He created this amazing garden for everyone to enjoy.
