About Area.
Just 3 miles from the village of Lochawe the cottage is perfectly located to access the outstanding scenery of the Western and Central Highlands of Scotland. There is immediate access on foot to the Ben Cruachan mountain range with another 20 Munros less than a 30 minute drive. To the west is Loch Etive, Lorn and Appin and 18 miles away the pretty harbour town of Oban, where you can take a ferry to the Inner and Outer Hebrides including Mull, Iona and Barra. To the south is Inveraray, Loch Fyne, Loch Lomond, Kintyre & Cowal. North of Lochawe and quickly reached by car is the magnificent and historic Glencoe. Lochawe and the Falls of Cruachan are served by the Glasgow to Oban railway.
The cottage is a perfect base for many activities including hillwalking, kayaking and boating, cycling, bird watching, wildlife watching, golfing, angling or if it is all too much then just sit, relax and enjoy the spectacular panorama.
Angling
Loch Awe is 24 miles long and the longest of Scotland’s freshwater lochs. It is deep and narrow in places and has many feeder burns flowing from the surrounding mountains. Water quality is high and the fish population thrive in this rich, natural feeding area. The many bays vary in size and depth and each has its own particular attraction – shallow, sandy, rocky, reedy.
Loch Awe has much to offer to all grades and types of anglers. It is renowned for its large stocks of wild brown trout (British Record) with the season for brown trout, rainbow trout (all catch must be killed) and pike, char, roach, perch running from 15th March to 6th October 2009.
The lovely River Orchy is one of the most picturesque salmon rivers in the country. The salmon season runs from February 11 to October 31 2009 and fly, spin and worm are permitted.
Fishing Rules 2008
• No fish to be taken over 7lbs weight or 26 inches long throughout the season.
• All stale and gravid fish to be returned
• All fish (except rainbow trout) must be returned after September 1st
• Weekly tenants and syndicate members are allowed to keep two fish per beat per week.
• Day ticket anglers are allowed to keep no more than one fish per visit.
• Worm hooks to be barbless or depressed barb from 1 September.
• All rainbow trout to be killed
Boats can be hired locally, and permits obtained at various points nearby.
Boating
Motor/Row Boats and Canoes are available for hire from various locations around the loch for family expeditions on Scotland's longest inland loch. Loch Awe is set amongst the spectacular magnificent scenery of the Western Highlands in the heart of wild Argyll, rich in history and wildlife with enchanting islands and ruined castles to explore. There are cruises available on Loch Awe and on the Loch Etive 6 miles away. In summer months, regular steamboat trips are available from Lochawe pier to Kilchurn Castle.
White Water Rafting
The River Orchy is often a gentle trickle in summer, but can become a raging maelstrom from September onwards. It is probably one of the UK's best rafting river and is usually runnable from September to December and late March to late May. Contact www.rafting.co.uk for further information
Golfing
Picturesque Dalmally Golf Club nestling between views of Ben Cruachan and Ben Lui and bounded by the rolling waters of the River Orchy provide an excellent days golfing. The club was reinstated in 1987. The Green Fees for are currently £12.00 per day.
There are many other golf courses within easy reach of the Loch Awe area and include
Taynuilt 9 hole, Inveraray 9 hole, Oban 18 hole, Killin 9 hole, Teignmouth Castle 18 hole, Lochgilphead 9 hole, and further afield are Tarbert Loch Fyne 9 hole and Machrihanish 18 hole
Gardens to Visit in the Area
Lush and beautiful green gardens in the area include:
Crarae, Angus, Ardchattan Priory, Ardkinglas Woodland, Eredine Woodland, Upper Sonachan and Ardanaseig Woodland Gardens. Contact www.gardens-of-argyll.co.uk for further information on the glorious gardens of Argyll.
Hillwalking
This is a spectacular location for a hillwalking holiday. More than enough Munros, Corbetts and unclassified hills to explore during your holiday before a short drive (or walk) back to your comfortable accommodation.
There is immediate access on foot from the cottage to the Ben Cruachan mountain range which can be done as a single mountain expedition (3695ft / 1126m) or as part of a full traverse including Stob Daimh 3272ft / 997m, Meall Cuanail 3004ft / 916m Drochaid Glas (3312ft / 1009m) and Sròn an Isean 3163ft / 964m. There are another 20 Munros less than a 30 minute drive away including Beinn Laoigh (Ben Lui) 3708ft / 1130m Beinn a' Chlèibh 3008ft / 917m Beinn Os 3374ft / 1028m, Beinn Dubhchraig 3204ft / 977, Stob Dearg 3611ft / 1101m. Within another 15- 30 minute drive all the mountains of Glencoe and Loch Etive, Ben Lawers , north Argyll and Southern Lochaber are yours.
Other Attractions.
Cruachan Reservoir: The reservoir stands at 1,315 ft and the Power Station is built deep into the mountain. The Visitors’ Centre has displays and literature explaining the scheme. Visitors can book a trip to go inside ‘The Hollow Mountain’ by bus. Contact www.visitcruachan.co.uk for further information.
Kilchurn Castle: Standing at the north end of Loch Awe is this iconic castle which was historically a Campbell stronghold but is on ground that is likely to have belonged to the earlier McGregors of Glenstrae. The McGregors were the dominant clan in the area until being eclipsed by the Campbells.The castle can be accessed by foot from the main A85. You can park your car safely near the bridge over the River Orchy.The fabric of the Castle is in unusually good order and access is by a ½ mile walk on a rough path. The scale of the construction is vast and extremely interesting. Historic Scotland have built access stairs and it is possible to climb to the highest towers from where the views are breathtaking. It is open every day and until twilight in the summer. It is also possible to visit the Castle in summer by boat from Loch Awe station. This costs about £5 and includes a trip round the loch and a number of Stone Age Crannogs which came to light when the Loch water level was lowered.
Auchindrain Township Open Air Museum, by Inveraray: An original West Highland township of great antiquity and the only such township in nd to have survived on its centuries old site. The township buildings have been preserved, equipped and furnished to present the visitor with a fascinating glimpse of the way of life of the highlander in past ages.
Barcaldine Castle: Built between 1570 and 1601 by ‘Black Duncan’ Campbell of Glenorchy. It has been much restored.
Bonawe Iron Furnace, Taynuilt: Once the main iron-smelting centre for Scotland, Taynuilt provided the cannon and shot for the navy, and a monument near the church commemorates Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar.
Castle Stalker, Loch Linnhe: Another beautiful iconic Scottish castle. It was built at the beginning of the 16th century and was the ancient home of the Stewarts of Appin.
Glen Coe Visitor Centre: Standing in outstanding walking and climbing country, the centre stands about half a mile from Signal Rock, from which the signal was given for the hideous massacre of the Macdonalds of Glencoe by the Campbells of Glen Lyon in 1692.
Glencoe village: Two heather-thatched cottages in the main street house the Glencoe and North Lorn Folk Museum, with Macdonald and Jacobite relics. The conical peak of the 2,430 ft Pap of Glencoe dominates the village.
Inveraray: The new town of Inveraray and Inveraray Castle (home of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll and headquarters of the Clan Campbell since the early 15th century) were rebuilt in the 18th century. Visit also Inveraray Jail, the sailing vessel The Arctic Penguin and The Bell Tower.
James of the Glen Monument, by Ballachulish: James of the Glen was wrongly hanged in 1751 after a notorious trial known as the Appin murder case. The story plays a great part in R.L. Stevenson’s novel Kidnapped.
Oban: The Gateway to the Isles. Dominating the skyline is McCaig’s Tower, a coliseum-style monument built in 1897 to help alleviate unemployment in the area. Visit also Caithness Glass Visitor Centre and Oban Whisky Distillery Visitor Centre.
Rare Breeds Farm Park, east of Oban: Many varieties of deer, goats, sheep and other animals in a natural setting.
Sea Life Centre and Marine Aquarium, Benderloch: Situated on Loch Creran, this has a superb range of marine exhibits, from sharks native to Scottish waters to loveable seals cavorting in their pool. Also a tide pool ‘touch tank’.
Steam boat trips on Loch Awe: In summer months, regular trips from Lochawe pier to Kilchurn Castle.
Torosay Castle and Gardens, Craignure, Isle of Mull: A beautiful and welcoming Victorian family home with furniture, pictures and scrap books dating from Edwardian times. Surrounded by 12 acres of spectacular gardens which offer an exciting contrast between formal terraces, impressive statue walks and informal woodland
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