Taynuilt

Taynuilt
Taigh an Uillt
Village

View of Taynuilt and Airds Bay from near Balindore
Taynuilt
Coordinates: 56°25′59″N 5°13′57″W / 56.43306°N 5.23250°W / 56.43306; -5.23250Coordinates: 56°25′59″N 5°13′57″W / 56.43306°N 5.23250°W / 56.43306; -5.23250
Country Scotland
Council area Argyll and Bute
Population
 • Total 800
Website http://www.taynuilt.net/

Taynuilt (['tɛinəlt]; Scottish Gaelic: Taigh an Uillt, [t̪ʰɤj ə n̪ˠɯiʎtʲ], meaning 'the house by the stream') is a large village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland located at the western entrance to the narrow Pass of Brander.

Location

The village is situated on the River Nant about a kilometre before the river flows into Loch Etive at Airds Bay. This is just to the west of a narrowing of the loch down to about 0.2 km. The larger River Awe passes about 1 km to the east of the village and joins the loch just to the east of the narrow point. The West Highland Line and A85 road pass through the village.

History

The narrows form a natural crossing to Bonawe on the north shore, and for centuries the village was a staging post and resting place for travellers. A small hill immediately to the east of the main street of the village was the site of Killespickerill, which was built in 1228 as the seat of the Bishop of Argyll. Some of its ruins were incorporated into Muckairn Parish Church, built in 1829. On the north shore of Loch Etive more extensive ruins remain of Ardchattan Priory, which was founded in 1230. In 1308 it was the venue for the last Scottish Parliament held in Gaelic. A regular ferry service ran to Bonawe from 1690.

In 1753 the Bonawe Iron Furnace was constructed by the Newland Company, later known as Harrison Ainslie. It stood just to the north of the village, between the rivers Nant and Awe, making use of timber from the local forests for charcoal fuel to smelt iron ore brought by sea from England. Although small in comparison to the huge 'hot-melt' furnaces of the 19th century, the furnace provided work not only at the site of the smelter but also for up to 600 charcoal burners over a large area of local woodlands. The effects of coppicing trees for charcoal burning can still be seen in local woods where, for a time, during the early part of the 20th century, birch brooms for use in steel mills were manufactured.[1] The furnace was of such strategic importance that in 1756 a military road was constructed, crossing the Pass of Brander and the Bridge of Awe to reach the furnace. Twenty years afterwards the road was extended westward to Connel, and later still on to Oban. The factory produced 42,000 cannonballs in 1781. Closed in 1876, the furnace is still substantially complete and is a tourist attraction in the care of Historic Scotland.[2][3]

What is claimed to have been the first monument to be erected in Britain to commemorate the death of Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar stands at Taynuilt with an inscription dated 1805 on its base, a reminder of the wide popularity of Nelson and of the many Scots crew and captains at the battle.[4]

The Callander and Oban Railway opened Taynuilt railway station in 1880, making the village a popular place for tourists visiting the Scottish Highlands. The ferry service across Loch Etive to Bonawe eventually became a car ferry. Connel Bridge, which had been built to carry the railway over tidal rapids the mouth of the loch, with cars later sharing it as a toll bridge, was converted to being a road bridge when the railway was closed. The Taynuilt to Bonawe ferry closed in 1966.

Facilities

Taynuilt has two main beaches. Airds Bay is a pebble bay with views to the Duirinnis hill and Bonawe. Kelly's Pier has both old and new parts, with a sweep of pebble beach as well, where small craft can be launched. Day trips up and down the loch are available to see the seals on the Anne of Etive, which is a few minutes from Kelly's Pier. From the loch there are panoramic views of the loch, Bonawe, Ben Cruachan, and Connel.

The modern village has a population of about 800 people and is separated into a number of neighborhoods including Kirkton, Ichrachan, Airds and Hafton.[5] There are two council schemes, Cruachan Cottages and Achlonan. The main A85 road skirts around to the south of the village, so passing motorists only catch a glimpse of the village. Taynuilt Golf Club lies immediately to the northwest of the village and enjoys scenic views over Airds Bay.[6] Taynuilt Shinty Club plays in the village. Other amenities in village include a village hall, various shops such as, The Taynuilt Inn, The Robins Nest Tearoom, a post office, a doctor's office with a pharmacy, grocery shop and butchers. Shops that have since closed include a Hairdressers, toyshop and a bakery.

The village although approximately 12 miles away from the local town of Oban will soon be able to enjoy super fast broadband thanks to the extensive works to install fiber optics, These works are expected to be completed by June 2014.

Famous persons

References

  1. ↑ Hutton, Guthrie (2013). Old Taynuilt. Catrine, East Ayrshire: Stenlake Publishing. p. 3. ISBN 9781840336276.
  2. ↑ P. Riden, Gazetteer of the Charcoal-fired blast furnaces in Great Britain in use since 1660 (Merton Priory Press, Cardiff, 1993), 147–9.
  3. ↑ Historic Iron Furnace Historic Scotland.
  4. ↑ England expects — on the trail of Admiral Lord Nelson Nelson monuments
  5. ↑ Taynuilt Community Council — About Taynuilt & Businesses and Attractions. taynuilt.net
  6. ↑ Taynuilt Golf Club. taynuiltgolfclub.co.uk
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