Situated in some of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland.

Panoramic views from the Tower Lounge.

Scottish Tourist Board Walkers and Cyclists Welcome

A Bit About the Area

Loch Awe is 26 miles long, a freshwater loch stretching NE — SW from the Central Highlands to within a few miles of the sea. The A85 runs along the north shore from the romantic ruins of Kilchurn Castle dominating the eastern end, through the village of Lochawe, to the Pass of Brander, a narrow defile with sheer scree slopes cascading to the loch as it flows out into the River Awe, reaching the sea via Loch Etive. Rivers such as the Orchy, the Strae, and the Lochy, rich in trout and salmon, flow through beautiful glens into the north-east end of Loch Awe These glens provide wonderful walking. The north side of Loch Awe is dominated by Ben Cruachan mountain range on which St Conan’s Tower stands. Not a difficult ascent, despite its awesome appearance, there are routes for both the less and more experienced, rewarding the climber with magnificent views from the island of Jura to Ben Nevis. Cruachan also offers a great tourist attraction; a bus tour inside the mountain to see the hydro-electric Power Station, a fantastic feat of engineering. Other local attractions include the Bonawe ironworks at Taynuilt, a loch cruise up Loch Etive (scenery and seals), and of course, Kilchurn Castle. Two single track roads border the loch. The East-Lochaweside road (accessed from A819 Inveraray road — off the A85 just east of Lochawe village) offers the hamlets of Portsonachan (hotel), Ardbrecknish (where you can hire a boat on the loch), and Eredine (forest walks). The West-Lochaweside road (accessed from the A85 just before Taynuilt, 10 miles west of Lochawe village) meanders through Glen Nant, passes through Kilchrenan village (hotel and pub, plus the nearby luxury hotels of Ardanaseig and Taychreggan), and on down through Dalavich, a Forestry Commission village of wooden chalets, to the village of Ford, where it joins the eastern road and continues to Kilmichael Glassary to meet the A816 Oban — Lochgilphead road. There are many beauty spots and forest walks areas, with waterfalls, Caledonian forest, and lochside locations. In all the areas around Loch Awe the wildlife is as interesting as the scenery. As well as a marvellous variety of birds, great fishing opportunities (Loch Awe is famous for its trout and pike), fascination for the botanist or geologist, the highlights include golden eagles, otters, red and roe deer, pine martens, and even wildcat. Further afield, the touring opportunities are endless — Glen Coe 40 minutes drive; Oban 25 minutes, with access to the western isles, especially Mull and Iona; Fort William and Mallaig, either via Connel, or via Glen Coe; Stirling and Glasgow, each an hour and a half’s drive. And there is the tempting alternative of taking the famous West Highland Railway, an experience in itself …