Mid-Argyll (from Inverary to Lochgilphead, Knapdale and north towards Oban)
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-> Mid-Argyll (from Inverary to Lochgilphead, Knapdale and north towards Oban)This area stretches from Inverary on the A83 on the western shores of Loch Fyne south-west to Lochgilphead, then north on the A816 towards Oban.
Inverary, in a magnificent setting standing on the shores of Loch Fyne with mountains behind, was built in the 18th century by the Duke of Argyll and has fine examples of Georgian architecture. Apart from the Jail (where you can view a court hearing and the torture methods used against the prisoners) and the Maritime Museum in the schooner Arctic Penguin, there is not much to view in the town itself which is full of gift shops. However, nearby are several interesting visitor attractions. The 18th century Inverary Castle, the family home of the Duke of Argyll and Chief of the Campbell clan, is open to the public and has an extensive display of weapons used against the Jacobites. South of the town are the Argyll Wildlife Park and the Auchindrain Folk Museum with its reconstructed thatched cottages depicting life before the Highland Clearances.
North of Inverary
The A819 north of Inverary leads to the long and narrow inland Loch Awe where the photogenic ruins of Kilchurn Castle sit on a small island at the head of the loch. Travelling west on the A85, you reach the village of Loch Awe and the hydroelectric Cruachan Power Station, built in 1965 within the mountain - a popular tourist attraction. Taynuilt, six miles further west, is an industrial heritage site featuring Bonawe Iron Furnace built in 1753 on the shores of Loch Etive with the Inverawe Fisheries and Smokery a few miles east.
South of Inverary
The A83 runs south down the western shores of Loch Fyne to Lochgilphead, the administrative and retail centre of the area with few attractions. However, the Crinan Canal, accessed a couple of miles north on the A816, used by many yachtsmen to avoid the long sail around Kintyre to the Firth of Clyde, is fascinating and the views from the fishing village of Crinan are stunning, overlooking the sea towards Jura and many tiny islands. It is worth travelling the single-track road to the picturesque village of Tayvallich, a popular mooring for yachtsmen, set in a secluded bay off Loch Sween and surrounded by extensive forests. The minor road on the eastern shore of Loch Sween lead to the ruins of the 11th century Castle Sween and 13th century Kilmory Knap Chapel.
Kilmartin Glen, about eight miles north of Lochgilphead, is a remarkable prehistoric site featuring a linear cemetry, Bronze-Age and Neolithic cairns, stone circles, standing stones and rock carvings. The Museum of Ancient Culture in Kilmartin provides interesting archaeological and landscape interpretation and artefacts with opportunities to try out some of the skills used at that period. The nearby peat bog and nature reserve of Moine Mhor is the site of the Iron Age fort of Dunadd. Croabh Haven, about 10 miles north, is a purpose-built yacht marina and holiday village, and Arduaine Gardens further north are famous for their rhododendrons and azaleas. The Arduaine area has stunning views across to the many Slate Islands where slate was quarried in the 19th century. The main islands are Seil (with its famous humpback Clachan Bridge which spans a narrow channel of the Atlantic), Easdale (which hosts the World Stone Skimming Championship) and Luing.
Information
There is a tourist office in Front Street in Inverary and Lochnell Street in Lochgilphead.
Hotels in the area include: the Argyll and the George Hotel (Inverary); Taychreggan Hotel and Ardanaiseig Hotel (north-west coast of Loch Awe); Auchendarroch Hotel in Lochgilphead; Crinan Hotel and Cairnbaan Hotel on the Crinan Canal; Kilmartin Hotel; Loch Melfort Hotel in Arduaine; and the Willowburn Hotel on Seil.
Restaurants in the area include: Loch Fyne Oyster Bar near Cairndow; Pinto's and The Smiddy in Lochgilphead; Tayvallich Inn; the Cairn in Kilmartin; and the Galley of Lorne and the Crafty Kitchen in Ardfern.
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