Helpful Lunga things

We thought it might be helpful to collate as much of what we call the 'useful' information here, and we'll add additional 'things' as we come across them. If you don't find what you need, though, do just call or email us and we'll try to help in any way that we can.


Lunga
Lunga is run by Les and Meg MacLeod  they also own the pub down at the Marina (the Lord of the Isles) and their love and enthusiasm for this part of the world makes Lunga a very warm-hearted and special place.  I (Carole) run the weddings with Meg and love every single second of it.


You can contact us on


01852 500237 (Meg)
07968 370292 (Carole)
booklungahouse@aol.com (Meg)
carole@fitzgerald.co.uk (Carole)

Accommodation
We can sleep 28 in Lunga in our Tower and Bachelor wings. The bedrooms are all ensuite and filled with the Laird's stylish and often eccentric antiques and works of art. We also have 3 little cottages on the grounds which guests are most welcome to use.

Ceremony
You are most welcome to get married here at Lunga - we have some lovely interior spaces perfect for small, medium and larger weddings . Alternatively, our grounds are stunning and if the weather is as good as it was this summer past then you can wander and find the backdrop that makes you happiest. We like to be as flexible as we can here and will try very hard to make what you dream possible.

Religious Ceremony
There are also a number of beautiful churches in the area:

Kilmartin Church  sits in ancient landscape sometimes referred to as 'the cradle of   Scotland
The Three churches of Glassary, Kilmartin and Ford (the parish of North Knapdale) are also nearby.
For more information, contact either Session of Clerk Sheena McNair - 01546 810286, or Rev Cliff Acklam.


Netherlorn Parish
Kilbrandon Church, The Island of Seil
Rev Kenneth Ross












Home Tel: 01852 200565;
Mobile: 07584 161216;
Email: kennethr.ross@btinternet.com


Craignish Church, Ardfern
Rev. Kenneth Ross (as above)


The churches above have capacity for 100 people. Craignish Church is closest to Lunga, with Kilbrandon and Kilmelford  to the North of Lunga (heading towards Oban) and Kilmartin and the other North Knapdale churches to the South of Oban.
St Margaret's Roman Catholic Church
Father William MacLeod
St. Margaret’s Church
Argyll St., 
Lochgilphead, 
Argyll, PA31 8NE











Tel 01546 602380
Email: frwmaclean@yahoo.com

Registrar
If you are considering a civil ceremony, our local registrars are based in Lochgilphead. You need to contact them regardless of whether you are having a humanist, registrar or church ceremony - Shona Brechin is really helpful and can answer any questions relating to paperwork and documentation (eg visas if you are from outwith the UK):
Registrar
Shona Brechin
Lochgilphead Registration Office
T 01546 604515

Humanist Ceremony
Scotland is unique for  many many reasons, but not least because it is one of only six countries in the world where Humanist marriage ceremonies are legal.  Humanist weddings have the same legal status as civil and religious weddings as long as they are conducted by an HSS Celebrant, who has been authorised by the Registrar General of Scotland. Same sex couples often choose to celebrate their commitment by having a Humanist ceremony, though these are not yet legally recognised. 

We are very lucky to have some lovely local humanist celebrants in this beautiful part of Argyll, and their love of what they do is clear in every ceremony they conduct. They are also wonderfully flexible - happy to clamber over rocks, to wait until the sun shines from behind a cloud and to balance priceless documentation on a tree stump. Our first port of call is always Annie Laughlin - she lives locally and if a smile is a reflection of someone doing what they love, then Annie's speaks volumes:

‘I absolutely LOVE conducting weddings! I feel very lucky to be a part of such a special day. I do my very best to help the couple to have the ceremony they really want, making it as unique and personal to them as possible. We will meet up, if practical, and spend as much time as is necessary to sort out the details, to make this meaningful and special for them. I will guide and help with the choices of music, readings, vows, etc. as is required.’ Annie Loughlin

Annie Loughlin
T 01546 603444 558
M 07919 966 444
E annie.loughlin@humanism-scotland.org.uk

Musicians

This West coast of Argyll has music and tradition running through it's veins and we highly recommend some of the more local musicians if you are looking for a knee wobbling ceilidh. Alternatively, our dance floor is a great space for disco lights and music.

Ceilidh Bands


Hebridean Ceilidh Band



2, Wallace Place, Fort William, Inverness-Shire PH33 6HR
Tel: 01397 701996
hebrideans@btinternet.com annabel 07788734115
Fort William Based 2 or 3 piece including caller.

Very traditional old style ceilidh band.

Archie mcallister (3 piece - usually)
Campbeltown
 07825 339634   01546 603551
World class fiddler and local musical 'hero'. Wonderful soloist for a ceremony and has how own fairly fluid ceilidh band. Great fun. Lovely people.

Lorne macdougall  (3 piece - usually)
Campbeltown
 07868072258
Cantenach
A bit of an Irish beat to their music. Won't leave anyone on the sidelines!













Heuch
(Glasgow-based)
Daniel Thorpe
07854965715
daniel.e.thorpe@gmail.com
Ceilidh band with a contemporary twist. Strong drum beat.



Skipinnish
Oban based
http://web.mac.com/skipinnish/iWeb/SKIPINNISH%20BAND/CONTACT.html
5 piece line up 


Slanj
A celtic rock ceilidh band (big time stuff!)
http://www.slanjband.com/
A mix of individuals from well known Scottish bands (eg Skerryvore)

Pipers
Iain and Craig Campbell - twin brothers. You really can't tell them apart, particularly when they are kitted out in all their regalia!
01546 603152 
Both have been Scottish pipe champions and can pipe for you at the church as well as anywhere here at Lunga
Very atmospheric.






Clarsach player
Becky Hill - Becky is a 4th year student at Oban High School and comes very highly recommended.
Telephone 01631710864




Disco - Jonathon Coggans
Jonathon can do a full disco of 3 hours or more, or can come halfway through the evening if you are perhaps having a ceilidh band first of all. 

Florists
We highly recommend:

Lottie and Bloom - quite a contemporary twist.
Lotte & Bloom
m. 07875 654247 | w. www.lotteandbloom.co.uk
Glasgow based

The Oban Flowerhouse
http://www.obanflowerhouse.co.uk/
Oban


Candelabra Hire
http://www.candelabraforhire.com/

Photographers
We have worked with some fabulous photographers and enjoyed the work of others who haven't been to Lunga but whose work is highly recommended. Every one has their own, unique style and we suggest you browse and browse and browse.

Nick Kirk
http://www.ndkweddingphotography.com/

Elemental Weddings
http://www.elementalweddings.co.uk/blog/catriona-christopher-kilbrandon-church-lunga-house-argyll/

Andy Taylor
www.andy-taylor.co.uk
(that's Zoe and Adrian, one of our couples from 2010) on the home page.


Carole Fitzgerald
carole@fitzgerald.co.uk
07968 370292
https://picasaweb.google.com/103958188282974198767/SamplesOfMyPhotography#


Hairdresser (who will come to Lunga)
Caroline at Cheveux Mobile Hairdresser, Oban 
07900 513584
cheveux@live.co.uk
http://www.mobilehairdresseroban.co.uk/

Transport
West Coast Motors (for buses)
Danny Halliday - 01586 552319
d.halliday@westcoastmotors.co.uk
good for getting people from Lochgilphead side of Lunga to Lunga and churches South of Lunga


Highland Rover








01866 822612
http://www.bizwiki.co.uk/bus-hire/368178/highland-rover-buses.htm
bridge of awe
taynuilt
argyll

10/16/40 seater bus
lunga - Kilbrandon Church on Seil and back to Lunga

10 seater - £220
16 seater - £240
40 seater - £350

Wilsons of Rhu
Alastair Wilson
01436 820300
wilsonsofrhu@aol.com

Glasgow Airport to Lunga
8 seater - £205
16 seater - £235
29 seater - £275

Edinburgh Airport to Lunga
8 seater - £240
16 seater - £295
29 seater - £350

Local Taxis



Boat hire
Given Lunga's location above Craobh Haven Marina, it is possible to organise not only sea adventures (eg to the Corryvreckan) but also boat ' transport' to, for instance, some of the churches in the area.


You can find some good information here,about The Corryvreckan
http://www.whirlpool-scotland.co.uk/how.html


Farsain Cruises specifically, (which you will find listed via the link above) is based at Craobh Haven Marina. Duncan Phillips has been co-ordinating boat trips for a long time in his purpose built fast offshore launch which is licensed to take 12 passengers (along with an assorted array of bikes/rucksacks etc.) It's half covered and the wheel house provides shelter if the weather proves inclement (love that word - a really nice way to say rainy!)


Craobh Haven Marina to Kilbrandon Church on Seil - 2 people - £150 return (includes waiting time and looking for sea eagles!)


Corryvreckan trip (3hrs) £30/adult. £12.50/child
(maximum of 12 on the boat and if whole boat taken, Duncan offers a 20% discount)


Ardlussa, Jura
£20/head. Minimum £120 for the trip.


Honeymoon
coming soon! Really exciting. Brought tears to the eyes of one bride - to - be when we told her what Meg and Les have in the pipeline. Think adventure! Think Romance!