Lovely Loch Awe
Loch Awe, the longest freshwater loch in Scotland was named one of the “10 beautiful Scottish lochs you must visit in your lifetime”. This awesome Argyll loch has much more to offer than its famous trout fishing, with enchanting wee villages and some of the West Highlands’ most impressive architecture, spanning over six centuries, strung like pearls along its banks.
The eponymous village of Lochawe is home to the eccentric Scottish baronial-style St Conan’s Chapel, one of Scotland’s most unique architectural attractions. Voted one of the top 10 Scottish buildings of the last 100 years, its fantastic design and rich history are fascinating for all ages.
Visit romantic Kilchurn Castle, one of Argyll’s most photographed, or view the brooding ruin of Ardchonnel Castle. Pay homage to Duncan Ban MacIntyre, the famous eighteenth-century Gaelic bard, at the 44-foot granite monument for him, designed by John Thomas Rochead, the man behind the Wallace Monument.
Mighty Ben Cruachan, the highest peak in Argyll, towers above the loch, but it’s not only the majestic scenery that makes this mountain amazing. It houses the world's first high head reversible pumped storage hydro scheme in a gigantic man-made cavern built deep into its heart between 1959 and 1965. Today, the only visible evidence of its existence is the high storage dam on the slopes of the mountain and the administration office block beside Loch Awe. You may recognise it as a filming location from the Star Wars series Andor. But a tour inside the Power Station reveals the massive inner workings of the dam, one of Scotland’s greatest engineering achievements. An interactive exhibition, kids area, wildlife watching, gift shop and café make Ben Cruachan a fun and educational day out.
At Inverawe Smokery and Country Park, you can enjoy the bountiful larder of Argyll at the café or to take home in an idyllic setting with walking trails and fishing.
With its excellent transportation connections to Oban and Glasgow, the communities of Loch Awe offer accommodation for all tastes and budgets, locally sourced cuisine and Highland hospitality.
Visiting Oban in 2023? Get in touch today to book your town walking tour or bespoke itinerary!
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