Eckford House is a charming country house of great character, originally the factor's house on the Benmore Estate which was owned from 1889 by the Younger family of brewing fame. Over the next three decades the Youngers developed the massive collection of Douglas Firs and giant Conifers which had been established by their predecessors Piers Patrick and James Duncan. (Harry) Younger gifted the estate and its rhododendron collection to the nation in 1927 but retained Eckford House, which has remained in the family until now. The Younger Botanic Garden, as it was then known, officially became the first regional garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 1929. John Younger, Harry's son, assembled a world renowned collection of species rhododendron in the grounds of Eckford House, innovatively planted into the wild Argyll landscape. They comprise around 4 acres and in addition to the species rhododendron collection they include a wonderful arboretum and a stream which meanders through the grounds on its way to join the River Eachaig. Salmon fishing on the well-known River Echaig is available from the local fishing syndicate and the nearby Holy Loch Marina in Dunoon offers excellent sailing in The Firth of Clyde.
