Robin's Nest

Taynuilt is a small village some 11 miles from Oban on the A85 road to and from the West Coast. Robin's Nest is a couple of hundred meters off that road and is situated in a ground floor room of an imposing three-story building - next to the Masonic Hall and close to Taynuilt Station. So whether travelling by road or rail, the small Tearoom is a distinctly better than average place to break your journey.

The décor is simple and effective with pine chairs and round tables over a wood floor. Walls are painted cream above a dark green with a fireplace on the end wall. Paintings, many for sale, and posters adorn the walls. A couple of blackboards show the daily specials. Robins Nest strikes us as particularly clean and tidy and the local waiting staff is attentive.

The home cooking is the highlight with cakes, biscuits and scones. Mr. B recommended the Empire biscuits. At lunch there are snacks as well as soup and excellent homemade bread. And where else would you be offered a banana and cinnamon toasted sandwich with fruit garnish? Sandwiches and toasties are served with a generous side salad.

There are the usual teas (Scottish Breakfast, Earl Grey and herbal), coffees (lattes and cappuccino), hot chocolate and soft drinks. And you get cheap refills.

Many people travelling along the A85 will drop off at the Green Welly Stop at Tyndrum for a break. Nothing wrong with that! But Robins Nest, some 20 miles west, is a more intimate and in my view a more rewarding experience.

Why would I go there? Above average tearoom offering a convenient break during travelling to or from the West Coast.

Any Negatives? Uninspiring outlook across Main Street to a corrugated building housing the local tyre & exhaust company – but you can't have everything!

Before or After
1. Continue down Main Street for a 3-hour sail to the head of the Loch and to view the seal colony (Easter to October, except Saturdays) – phone Loch Etive Cruises on 01866 822430.
2. Take a walk in Inverawe Country Park through woodlands and parklands, along rivers and by the side of Loch Etive. There's even a Tearoom!
3. Cruachan Power Station Visitor Centre – a unique power station 1 km deep inside the hollowed out centre of the mountain of Ben Cruachan – see www.visitcruachan.co.uk. To get there drive east along the A85 for 7 miles.

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