Ormidale House Review

Ormidale House, Glendaruel, Argyll PA22 3AF

I left Edinburgh at 09:30 and headed off to Ormidale. Geographically it's next door to Glasgow, in all other aspects it's a million miles away. The route to get there took me via Loch Lomond and Loch Fyne and it's a stunning drive, uncrowded in November and even in the rain did not detract from the area's beauty. Many hours later I drove through the gateposts of Ormidale House. There were guests staying but fortunately (by prior arrangement) they were happy let me have a quick look round. Despite the house looking less 'majestic' than some of the others on this site, it is in no way indicative of the interior and is far more substantial than most houses in the area. Inside it was warm and welcoming - it has a large kitchen with aga, a vast basement drying room, dining room for 25+, two sitting rooms, one big drawing room, games room with billiards, sauna and multiple large televisions. There is also an indoor swimming pool that is shared with The Mill and The Old Barn - two separate but nonetheless nearby properties. The bedrooms themselves were decent, spacious and with good views. One was slightly colder but I say this out of making the review impartial rather than because it was freezing or a big issue. One bedroom had two sets of bunk beds, the rest were all twins or doubles. For those bringing a helper there is a bedroom with direct access to the kitchen. The bathrooms were clean and some a little 'dated' - not a problem for anyone but the most demanding and they are due to be re-fitted over the coming weeks.

For reference from the house's website;

Two rooms are set up as twins, three as king-size doubles, and one as a quadruple bunk room. The other seven bedrooms can be set up either as super-kingsize doubles, as twins, or even sometimes as triples. All bar two of the bedrooms have either an ensuite bathroom or a basin. There are four further bathrooms, two separate loos, and a sauna. Altogether, the house has nine showers and ten WCs. Floorplan.

The two nearby houses, The Mill and The Old Barn are not as substantial but would provide useful overflow accommodation. Both have been recently decorated to a high standard (no expense spared, including underfloor heating) and feature the same saunas and multiple TVs that Ormidale House has. As a rule of thumb The Mill has smaller bedrooms and is more tightly packed than either The Old Barn or Ormidale House - but is still comfortable and has a large open plan area downstairs with plenty of seating. The Mill and Old Barn share car parking and a wall, Ormidale House can be considered largely as separate from the others but still shares some garden and the pool.

All in all I think Ormidale House predominately suits walkers and golfers and would provide a very comfortable base from which to explore the area. When the rains come (as they inevitably will!) the pool, billiards, sauna and TVs should come in useful. A solid bet.