Activities

Wildlife
There is a wide variety of wildlife on the estate and in the surrounding countryside, where over a hundred species of birds have been recorded in the adjacent Forestry Commission woodland. You may see deer, foxes, red squirrels, hedgehogs, a heron fishing at the water's edge or hear a woodpecker at work. Buzzards frequently circle overhead mewing plaintively - you may even spot one gliding away grumpily from a favourite tree after being disturbed. Otters are occasionally seen along the shore. The nearby islands provide a haven for numerous seabirds, including eider ducks which come inshore to feed on mussels. The islands are also home to the seals, which can sometimes be seen in the bay. Porpoises and even basking sharks and whales have been spotted in Loch Fyne.

Fishing
Visitors are welcome to make use of Minard's salmon fishing rights, which extend along the shore in both directions from the house and include Brainport Bay, Minard Bay and Union Bay. Any legal method may be used to catch all types of fish, including salmon and sea trout, except during the closed seasons. For salmon and sea trout, the closed seasons are: nets, 1st September to 15th February; rods, 1st November to 15th February. Brown trout fishing is closed from 7th October to 14th March.

Archaeology
This area is rich in archaeological sites, including certain areas on the estate. A stone with "cup marks" is in the field, which is surrounded by a deer fence just to the south east of Nursery Cottages. At Brainport Bay there is an impressive site steeped in history. This is a solar alignment, dating from about 1160 BC, which has two small standing stones pointing to the mid-summer sunrise. Also, nearby there is a "quern quarry". The site is just a short distance from Minard Castle.