OATFIELD HOUSE

   An exchange of emails with Mr John Cowan

I met John Cowan through my brother, Alex.  Alex had enquired if I would mind putting a link in the Magazine to advertise the fact that John and Lesley provided Bed and Breakfast accommodation in one of the most beautiful locations in Kintyre and I, of course, agreed. (I don't want trouble from my wee brother!)

I'll let you read on for yourselves - Ian.

From: John Cowan   john@oatfield.org        http://www.oatfield.org

Hi Ian

I guess you already know a little about me from Alex. He tells me you wouldn't mind including a link on your website and we would really appreciate it if you could. The thing that we are trying to promote at the moment is our B & B.

We are thoroughly enjoying it. We've had some great people to stay and they have all been really nice to have as guests. We had a whole band through the Music Festival, a couple of sheepdogs for the sheepdog trials and we even have a regular - a surfer. Everyone says what a good time (and a good breakfast) they've had and they all say they'll be back. We are three miles out of town which is far enough to enjoy the peace and quiet of the country, but close enough to see the sights in Campbeltown

We are very lucky in that we have a fabulous place here, out in the country, loads of space, great for kids, great for walkers, great for simple relaxation...

We also have some aspects of historical interest. An Iron Age Fort, a 13th century architectural fragment made into a Folly, some super 19th century fireplaces, a galleried and wood panelled hall and so on. We are in the Historical Interest part of the VisitScotland site
( http://www.visitscotland.com/accommodation/unusual/historicalinterest )
and our own page is accessible from there.

Our web address is http://www.oatfield.org and it carries some images of our lovely home and its environs.

We can also be found at http://search.visitscotland.com/sitemakescotland.asp?customtemplate=
providertemplate.txt&providerid=AHUCYPHNHY&SearchId=272586

In the meantime you may also be interested to know that, in addition to the B&B, we have two web sites up and running, both about the main businesses that we operate here at Oatfield, plus a web page
about our partnership. The addresses are:-

http://www.precisionmasks.com - Really aimed at commercial glass engravers, this is a trade supply site but it might be of general interest for people locally to know what we do? Customers include large companies such as Edinburgh Crystal and Waterford Crystal, plus more local firms - ourselves at Collins Clayton & Co and the Highbank Collection in Lochgilphead, for example

http://www.tomblets.com - A retail site offering small engraved granite photo memorials. We are the market leaders in this technology (it can also be done using lasers, but they are not nearly so deep or so clear). Actual samples of these can be seen in Alasdair Blair's window in the town and (featuring a dog) at Narrowfield boarding kennels, by Campbeltown.

http://www.collinsclayton.com -  Work we do through this, our original partnership from which the two other businesses have sprung, has recently included engraved special edition Springbank whisky bottles, retirement gifts for McFadyens's Contractors, 150th anniversary glasses for the Kintyre Agricultural Society and the Grammar School's annual Dux Prize, plus other work for clubs such as the Argyll and Kintyre Bowling clubs.

Although we are a relatively small firm we supply the very highest quality of training and materials to the top end of the trade through PrecisionMasks Ltd, and our standards of commercial engraving cannot be
beaten by anyone... anywhere in the world! It really is the very best that money can buy although, once set up, it's not actually expensive.

Thanks for reading what turned out to be rather a long email!

Best regards

John Cowan

Oatfield House
CAMPBELTOWN
Argyll PA28 6PH
Scotland

Day: +44 1586 551818
Eve: +44 1586 551551
Fax: +44 1586 551855

john@oatfield.org

It was my pleasure to reply to John:

Hello John,

I'm very pleased to finally meet you - albeit electronically. Alex has mentioned you and Oatfield and always says how nice both the place - and your family - is.

It goes without saying that it will be a pleasure to put the links on my Mag site.  I'll do a page about Oatfield and what you do there using your email.

Many moons ago, when I worked on the 'Lemonade Lorry' owned by Joseph Dunn of Glasgow, but based in Campbeltown, Charlie Morrison (the driver) and I were coming back from deliveries in Southend in our 3 ton Bedford TK6. We were halfway down Oatfield brae when a wee mini passed and threw up a stone chip which smashed our windscreen. I had the presence of mind to kick it out and, after a roadside clear up Charlie and I got quite draughty as we made our way back to base. I'm always wary when I pass your roadend now!

Now that I know that you do B&B, if you have the space available, Helen and I will book in with you the next time we're up. Mind you, that'll probably be in 2006.

All the best to you and yours,

Ian

And back from John:

Hi Ian

That will be great.... the links, the page and the visit.

Alex said you'd like an image of Oatfield? [See bottom of this page - Ian] We spent some time at the weekend taking pictures and there are one or two others as well - take your pick. If you want any different sizes that would be no bother at all.

Our website  is up and running now at http://www.oatfield.org. As you probably know, we've got a Memorial Masonry exhibition coming up soon and are short of time, so it's a temporary solution. Indeed, I've never done a website before and so getting it all to work has been, er... interesting.

If you're doing an article on Oatfield, by the way, we would be very interested indeed if anyone has or knows of any old images of the place?

Now, where was I? Oh yes, I'd better get out and sweep the road end clear of chips!

All the best

John

Oatfield House
CAMPBELTOWN
Argyll PA28 6PH
Scotland

Day: +44 1586 551818
Eve: +44 1586 551551
Fax: +44 1586 551855

john@oatfield.org
http://www.oatfield.org
 

So there you have it folks. It sounds like a grand place to me and I can't wait to visit and see it for myself.

If any of you good people have any tales, knowledge or old images of Oatfield House, John would be very pleased to hear and/or see them.

PS. The exhibition John mentioned was of his craft and was held in Telford, England. Alex travelled down with him and came over to Helen and me for a few days. It was great to see him again, and he sends his regards to all of you who know him.

Some images of Oatfield from John's site:

Wee Drams   E-mails, comments, queries and enlightenment from around the world

Page  2:       Oatfield House - An Exchange of Emails

Page  3:       Interesting Articles from the MOD (with permission)

Page  4:       It Is a Small World After All

Page  5:       The Italian Community in Campbeltown - A Memoir

Page  6:       Memories of Macharioch

Page 7:        By Hill and Shore - Angus Martin