Loch Fyne Birlinn Bar

Highland Galleys, "birlinns" in Gaelic, were constructed to the design of the Viking long ships. They were the basis of power for the clan chiefs on the West Coast of Scotland for 500 years conferring naval & military strength to the individual clans and their chiefs.

Somerled, the Lord of the Isles, chief of the MacDonalds, ruled the West Highlands almost as a king. For this reason heraldic birlinns adorned coats of arms & ancient carvings. One of these carvings originated from the medieval graveyard at Clachan, Cairndow . It is carved on the font of the church which lay amongst the ruins until salvaged by the Duke of Argyll and eventually restored to its current position in the new Kilmorich church in Cairndow Village.

The proximity of the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar to this original site and its position at the head of the longest sea loch in Scotland prompted Loch Fyne Oysters to investigate the Birlinn story further. Discovering how important the birlinns were to Argyll together with an idea sparked by seeing the Dragon Boat Bar at the Hong Kong Hilton ( now demolished) led to the creation of the new Birlinn Bar as part of an extension to the existing Oyster Bar & Restaurant.

Loch Fyne was a centre of birlinn building. The MacLucas family built birlinns and then boats for the Campbells into the 18th Century. The new birlinn was built by local carpenter, Danny Sumsion, taking a break from his usual employment building sets for the film industry .
It is built from Scots Pine using the traditional clinker method. For the new birlinn advice was sought from the builders of the replica Birlinn, the Aileach, with the help of Loch Fyne Oysters, amongst other sponsors.
The birlinn is named, Gille-Brde (Gaelic for oyster-catcher) following a competition run at the Loch Fyne Sea Food Fair.

The new Birlinn Bar was officially opened by Marion Campbell of Kilberry - a prominent local historian and writer whose books include, the childrens novel THE WIDE BLUE ROAD, soon to be made into a film.
The bar now provides additional seating space for the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar well known for the excellence of its food , ably run by Great Cameron & her staff. The bar has been built in the space which was originally the Seafood Shop which has now expanded into a new part of the building and has introduced many new ranges to its shelves. Christine MacCallum and her staff in the shop enjoy their new position next to the Birlinn - as do their customers.

The Galley has proved a popular attraction - visitors are more than welcome.

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