Merry Christmas

Santa was right on time, unaffected by the recent weather conditions. In true Portavadie style Santa arrved on Fyne Flier with presents for all. Thanks Santa - see you next year!

a destination for all seasons

sometimes pictures speak louder than words....

Staff Christmas Lunch

Festive cheer all round today as the secret santas were revealed following a feast for all of the team, family and friends. Simona`s Mum, Grandmother and Grandpa came all the way from Lithuania such was the excitement of our festive lunch!!

The whole team had a great day and seemed very happy with their gifts, Gus looked particularly pleased with his Buckfast bottle, I am told his favourite tipple at any time of the year......

Gifts from Portavadie Marina completed the day.... back to work you lot!!

Winters' Arrived!

Winter has officially arrived in Portavadie as a blanket of snow glistens in a crisp November morning.

A Taste of India in Portavadie...

Friday 19th November saw guests treated to an Indian cuisine buffet! The night was a great success and a good night was had by all. The staff donated their £101.00 collected tips from the night to Children in Need, thank you everybody for your contribution!

Portavadie Christmas Cheer!

Sinead and her elf took to the streets of Dunoon yesterday, passing on the Christmas cheer all the way from Portavadie!

RNLI Charity Dinner

A huge thanks to all who gave so generously. We managed to raise over £4500 pounds to our chosen charity. Over 60 guests attended our first ever charity auction and had a great night, entertainment from the Walking Theatre Company kicked things off before a feast and fine wine where enjoyed by all.

Micro Magics

Radio controlled yachting at Portavadie arrived today. Robert (marina manager) organised Richard Rowan to come for the day to show off his collection of radio controlled yachts and allow experienced and beginners to to try out their skills. The combination of great weather, chance to operate these fantastic models which really replicate the real thing and complimentary soup for those participating made the day a huge success.

look out for the next dates.

Shell Regatta

Saturday the 4th September we witnessed the Shell Regatta, set inside a marquee, the team did a great job in themeing the marquee with Shell colours, from the seats to the bespoke menu`s. We were delighted to host such a prestigious event and the team really delivered a great experience. All the tables were in fancy dress and the winners turned out to be the Pimps and Ladies of the Night, although Captain Birdseye and his battered cod fillets were a very close 2nd.

Portavadie Olympics

On your marks, get set, GO!!!! Sunday 22nd August saw our inaugural Portavadie Marina Olymipcs. Everyone from berth holders to staff came forward to represent their chosen country and a fabulous day was had by all! Despite the heavens opening just before the first event the rain stayed at bay through-out the rest of the day as our 7 teams battled it out through 7 events. All teams participating put forward a great effort with Greece even losing a man as our own Iain Jurgensen succumbed after straining a muscle. Team Jamaica did Brian Duncan proud as they collected their bronze medals at the end of the day and Portavadie's own Burundi waved their flag high as they accepted their 2nd place medals. However the team that was not to be beaten was well deserving Holland (one of 2 teams entered by our building team ( Ian McNee) who, despite one team memer breaking a toe, soared to the finish line to become our first Portavdie Olympics champions. All the Olympians then enjoyed a well earned BBQ and rest. A big thank you to everyone that competed and helped to make the day a success. Here's to next year!

Fairlie Yacht Club

The Fairlie Yacht Club enjoyed great weather as around 30 yachts graced the marina today. With pre dinner cocktails and a BBQ under the Portavadie sunshine aaahhh - this is the life!!!

thanks to Fairlie Yacht club for coming - we had a great time looking after you.

The Sun Goes Down in Portavadie

The rain of July seems a distant memory as the sun finally shines down in time for Fairlie Yacht club arriving tomorrow. Phew what a scorcher on the "costa del Portavadie"

Cocktails and fish nets

Angie and Lainie enjoyed a night out on the boardwalk, following a fishing trip with Malcolm we see our girls kicking up there heels - even on a Thursday!!

Henry Bomby arrives at Portavadie

As part of Henry Bomby`s solo sail around the UK, he took the opportunity to drop by to see us today.We were delighted to welcome him to Portavadie and share some of his epic adventures - read more on his website www.henrybombysailing.co.uk - good luck with your continued voyages and best wishes from the team!!

The Wizard of Oz - The Walking Theatre Company

"We`re off to see the Wizard ...The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."

On Sunday 25th July a group of eager munchkins got wisked away to the magical land of Oz with help from Dorothy Gale herself. After a miserable start to the day, the sun came out just as we began our trip down the yellow brick road, where we were introduced to all our favourite Ozians including the brainless scarecrow, the cowardly lion, the hideous wicked witch of the west and the wonderful Wizard of Oz himself. Yet again, The Walking Theatre Company put on a great show, taking us on our journey over the rainbow and over the road to participate in the fun. There were bubbles galore and laughs a minute as we payed witness to Dorothy and her friends antics in Oz. The smaller munchkins had a great time and the same could be said for the larger muchkins too. With the chance to interact and participate in the fun the kids loved it. But as all good stories come to an end, so we reached the end of the yellow brick road, and as Dorothy led the way in her Ruby Wellies we returned to enjoy a BBQ in the Marina's beer garden in the brilliant sunshine. A perfect trip to the Land of Oz. Make sure your there to enjoy The Walking Theatre Company's adaptation of "The Tempest" on the 8th August at 2.30pm. Hope to see you there.

Treasure Island - The Walking Theatre Company

Fifteen men on the dead mans chest, yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum! Drink and the devil had done for the rest, yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum......On Sunday 11th July The Walking Theatre Company returned to Portavadie Marina to perform treasure Island, they were joined by nearly 50 pirates - big and small - to take part in the fun. The efforts that everyone put into their costumes was brilliant. The characters were all well played and they were excellent at keeping the children engaged. There was a great atmosphere throughout the play as the walk took the pirates on an adventure over to Glenan bay to see the ship 'Hispanda', have the kids send messages in bottles and go on a treasure hunt. The day ended with a BBQ in the sunshine in the Marina's beergarden, where one of the characters came dressed as Robert Louis Stevenson - the author - and told the story of where the inspiration for the novel came from. Don't miss out on the 25th July, 2.30pm, when The Walking Theatre Company returns with the Wizard of Oz.

Macbeth - Walking Theatre Company

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and couldron bubble......Sunday 27th June saw the reinactment of Macbeth where a cast of nearly 30 extras supported the Walking Theatre Company. Starting at Portavadie Marina the guests of Macbeth followed him on his way home to see his wife which ended with tragic consequences. The path took them over to Glenan and through the woods where the story of Macbeth unravelled. Back at Castle Portavadie the play ended with everyone enjoying a grand feast. Be sure to join us on our children's walk on Sunday 11th July at 2.30pm for Treasure Island - come dressed up as a pirate and be part of the swash buckling fun!!

Raft Race 2010

Portavadie`s first Raft race was held on Sunday 13th June, our first ever winner was Team McNee, who recorded the fastest ever time (Ok the first ever winning time). thanks to all who competed in such good spirit - the highlight for me was "jet water bridge" where Chizz stood to his post with glee while soaking the competitors!!!

the winners are forwarded into the Tighnabruiach raft race - please note screws and fixings not permitted Ian!!

First Day photo shoot

When new recruit Ben boarded the 6pm bus from Victoria in his epic 24 hour journey did he imagine that his first day would involve modelling our latest Gill sailing gear for the Argyll advertiser!! Go Ben, welcome to Portavadie marina

Room with a Fyne view

Our apartments provide the perfect "watchtower" to survey the yachts as they glide into the marina after yet another great days sailing

Scottish Series

With a huff and a puff and a few late nights we managed to blow the doors open to the new luxury apartments. Showrounds all weekend confirmed what we thought - you love them and so do we!!!

PPSSSTTT the shop is open.....

Graeme and the team have done a phenominal job in getting the shop open and trading. There is truly a wee something for everyone, and already many of Portavadie`s team members have been in browsing and picking out some of this seasons fashions.

Apartments and shop nearly there

The new luxury apartments are really taking shape and bang on schedule for our first ever lets which coincide with the Scottish series, all part of the fun and adventure here!!

Bookings are flooding in, even before our guests have even seen the finished article such is the interest and support we have received.

Mcnee`s are pulling out all the stops to provide us with unique accommodation to share with you and we can`t wait to see the finished article!!

Our shop will be open within a couple of weeks which will provide retail therapy and gifts as well as provisions and selected chandlery, another great addition to the offering here.

JB comes to stay

My good friend JB came to join us for a weeks R&R - here we see JB with his first ever line caught fish!!! JB had a great time fishing and stalking and even managed to share his catch with me for dinner. Huge thanks to Malcolm, Geoff and Piero for making his stay so enjoyable.

Sea Safety, Arts and Crafts Day

A fun day for all the family on Saturday the 24th April.

The weather was not allowed to dampen the Portavadie spirits and despite the cold wind we all had a great day. The raffles top prize saw our own Sinead Atkinson drawn out of the hat to secure her 3 night stay in Tighnamara - go Sinead - although by the look on Campbell`s face we may have to launch an internal enquiry!!!

John Marjoribanks takes a break from his adventure

John Marjoribanks, pictured with us here today enjoying a well earned rest from his UK cycle trek in aid of the Rotarians. I think John had the fish and chips, the fuel of champions!!

John commented on his pit stop, " A surprise and a delight at the end of a long cycle ride"

see you soon John and thanks for calling in.

Luxury apartments seven weeks to go

Works are really progressing and the views are stunning. With only a few weeks left we have a lot still to do but as always the finish will be outstanding. We hope to have the shop open form mid May - just in time for the summer collection.

Kim`s birthday

Our much loved Kim celebrated - according to her yet another 21st. Thanks to her daughter Sinead the day did not pass unnoticed much to Kim`s embarrassment!!

Portavadie gears up for 2010

Following the successful staff outing on a sunny, if a little chilly day out with the team at Quadmania there are sure signs that 2010 will be a fantastic year. The much anticipated apartments should be finished in 10 weeks and already we have full occupancy for the Scottish Series 28th - 30th May.

James Watt College came to visit last week and took some great shots of the team - here we see Ramon bringing some refreshments - looking good big guy!!

Enquiries are coming in quickly with our new berthing rates for 2010

offering continued great value and complimented by our development rate for our cottages, tighnamara and our latest addition, marina view luxury apartments all undrpinned by our values of affordable luxury for all.

Look out for our new season menu which our culinary team are working on right now to bring you the very best of Argyll`s larder from land and sea.

photographs supplied by Tommy Ferguson