ACTIVITIES & LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

The Loch Awe area is the ideal place for hill-walking, mountain-biking, fishing, photography, sight-seeing, boating (especially kayaking or canoeing), bird-watching, golf and, above all, relaxing in perfect peace and quiet.

We would certainly recommend the following;

Boat Hire – Dalavich Marina, 11 Dalavich. Phone Norman on 01866 844209

Fishing – Loch Awe is famed for its Salmon & Trout. Rod hire / Permits from Dalavich Marina (see above)

Golf – good courses in Taynuilt, Dalmally and Oban All within 30m – 50m drive

Walking – too many to list them all, but close by the 4km Butterfly Trail around Inverinan is wonderful all year round. Alternatively the Forestry walks at Glen Nant and Fearnoch (see the Forestry Commission leaflet in the basket in the kitchen) are excellent. Nearby, Ben Cruachan (as viewed from the garden) is a challenging Munro for hill walkers.

A lovely loch-side walk is along the Druimdarroch Forestry Road. Take a right out of the drive towards Dalavich, and after about 5 minutes walk the entrance to the Forestry Road is on the left.

Mountain-Biking – There are 2 loch side trails nearby (see Loch Awe leaflet) which take you through forests and along loch shores.

Bird-watching – Recently we have seen both Osprey and Buzzards close to the house. Others have reported Sea Eagles (from Mull) over the Loch

Oban – This bustling port is only 35 minutes by car, and offers access by ferry to the Western Isles. Take a day trip to Mull and visit Iona, or take a longer trip out to Jura or Islay. Alternatively visit Oban Distillery in the town itself (highly recommended), visit McCaig’s Tower, take a boat trip out to see the seals in their natural habitat, or just enjoy fish & chips on the pier (weather permitting).

If you have any energy (or time) after trying the above then we would also suggest:

Cruachan Power Station (about 25mins by car)

Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary (about 30mins by car)

Inverawe County Park and Smokehouse (about 20mins) – this is a great place to buy the best tasting smoked salmon, trout and mussels in Scotland!

Slightly further afield, Glencoe is only about 90mins away, and Fort William only a little further.