Loch Awe

 

Loch Awe – fascinating and full of rewarding highlights of Scotland

Whenever we drive up from Glasgow, this is our favourite stop. If time permits it is best to spend a full day in this beautiful area – you will be rewarded with both beautiful nature and treasured culture. You have the choice to arrive by car or by train. Either way, from the Manor House it will take you less than an hour to get to the destination, and you can plan
your return to the Manor House according to your own likes and dislikes for a perfect day out in County Argyll and Bute.

Ways to access the area

Below is a description of how to access this stunning and peaceful area in comfortable and enjoyable ways. The village of Loch Awe can be reached by train or by car in about 40 minutes. However, especially in the summer months, you should plan enough time as traffic can be become significantly slower in touristic areas. Many stops for picture-taking and visits will extend the time you spend in the Loch Awe area.

If you visit Loch Awe by train, please first consider how much time you would like to spend outside of Oban. You can choose from up to 6 direct trains between Oban and Lochawe station per day.

If you are traveling by car, we recommend taking the tourist season into account and planning some walking tours, instead of using too many different parking spaces. We recommend planning to visit the East area of Loch Awe separately from the more secluded Southwest area. The first suitable car park is located at Loch Awe train station, but your vehicle is best parked in the visitor car park at the basic Kilchrun Castle visitor car park[1].

For a spectacular view of the castle we recommend driving around the eastern end of Loch Awe in the direction of Glasgow, then turn right at the next junction on A819 towards Inveraray. Drive at a moderate speed, and
after a few meters, you will discover parking spaces offering good opportunities for first picture taking..

The circuit of Loch Awe, a two-hour drive (without stops) along the shoreline with its winding and single-track roads will take considerably more of your time if you want to experience the more remote spots and villages.

A very nice alternative is to arrive by bicycle. We recommend using the national cycle network to get to Loch Awe by choosing the more southerly route out of Oban and following the signs for Glencruitten Golf Course at the roundabout
in Oban. You will join the A85 in Taynuilt. 

The journey by car takes about one hour and by bicycle twice as long. (Note, on the way back, in Taynuilt, the sign to exit the A85 to the left reads «Airdeny Chalets»).

Places not to be missed

Kilchurn Castle

This castle is proud to be one of the most often photographed castles in Argyll. It was built in 1440 by Sir Colin Campbell, 1st Lord of Glenorchy. An extension followed in 1693 by Ian, Earl of Breadalbane. A favourite place to start exploring and capturing picturesque views, taking in the castle, is to arrive by train or to park at Loch Awe train station and use the over rail crossing to start exploring. You will find out soon how thoughtfully for the camera the crossing has been laid out! Ben Cruachan Inn is nearby for that all-important refreshment or meal.

The walk from the carpark to the historic site is a comfortable easy walk. Pedestrians are rewarded with beautiful scenes of Loch Awe – 25 miles (41 km) of pleasant views as it is also the longest Loch in Scotland, stretching entirely in the county of Argyll and Bute.

Originally the castle was built on an island; however, the lower water level in Loch Awe nowadays means that it is now sitting on a peninsula apart from during times when the loch level is very high. It is possible to walk all the way around the castle, although the grass can be slippery and there is uneven ground. From the castle, you can just see St Conan’s Kirk on the north shore of Loch Awe situated west of Loch Awe train station.

St. Conan’s Kirk is ranked one of the top ten buildings in Scotland of the last 100 years. Its location on the shores of Loch Awe with the backdrop of Munro Ben Cruachan and the view of Kilchrun Castle over to Ben Lui  makes it even more spectacular and accentuates the meaning of the sublime!

To the south, the long ridge separates the basin of Loch Awe from Loch Fyne, and (on a clear day) just appearing over it, the peak of Beinn Bhuidhe at the head of Loch Fyne.

Waterfalls and forest walks along Loch Awe can be found by exploring the 5.5 miles long Tall Trees Trail. Or find Avich Falls on a 5 miles walking trail through ancient oakwood landscape in the Barnaline forest.

Ben Cruachan, 3,694 ft (1,126 m)

Ben Cruachan, separating Loch Awe from Loch Etive in the North, is on the list of Scottish Munros by definition. It is the highest summit of a range of sharp peaks and offers prominent views over Loch Etive, Loch Awe and towards the Isles of the West. Beneath the central corrie, the huge underground hydro-electric power station, the Hollow Mountain can be visited.

For climbs of Ben Cruachan and Stob Daimh, the recommended starting point is from the Falls of Cruachan railway station (please be aware the the car park at Hollow Mountain closes early!).

St Conan’s Kirk, Loch Awe

From Loch Awe train station, you reach the site of the traditional Kirk in a walk of about 15 minutes. There is car parking next to the grounds. At the entrance, you might feel inspired for a moment of rest and tea at the Gatehouse Tearoom before visiting the church in its perfect position, built in 1881 to 1886, substantially extended from 1906 to 1914 and undergoing in our times extensive conservation work.

Relaxed activites in the area

Visiting Loch Awe can easily draw your attention to the Loch itself. The water is not tidal and on a sunny day can warm up along the shores. Why not try swimming in the Loch? Small parking lots can be found close to the water’s edge, giving you access to secluded small beaches. To explore the more secluded areas in the Loch, it is recommendable to hire a boat. Many small isles with just trees and birdlife visiting or also the ruins of Innis Chonnel Castle, still privately owned by the Argyll family), will make you feel like an adventurer – you can always bring along a picnic (please ask reception if you are staying with us) and get away from it all for a splendid day in the sun.

We hope your day at Loch Awe will be sunny and bright – we wish you a pleasant trip! If you have any questions about the itinerary or need help with organising the journey, please contact us at anytime at the reception desk. We always love to assist you with your holiday plans!

 Here are some more interesting, related links to the area – have fun while surfing the internet!

More experience postings can be found in our blog section. We hope to be able to support you in planning your time in and around Oban by presenting modular outing ideas that maximise your holiday experience. Maybe our post ‘visiting a salmon smokery enjoyed by HRM and followed by discovering an industrial competence centre built in 1753’ can give you more inspiration for the area.

[1] There are no signs on the road to indicate the parking lot – so look out for parked cars on grounds next to the road once you drive along the head of Loch Awe and immediately enter what can easily be mistaken as a driveway! There are small white posts either side of the entrance, but no sign and no amenities.
go to top of page
go back to previous page