What to Do Around Loch Awe
Loch Awe is one of Scotland’s longest and most beautiful freshwater lochs — a long, island-dotted body of water bordered by mountains, oak woods, kirk towers and tiny historic ruins.
The smart way to experience it?
Stay in Lochawe Village— at the head of the loch — then explore outward.
(Oban + Inveraray are wonderful side trips… but if you base there, you spend more time leaving your base than doing the good bits.)
This is a place for slow luxury: a calm morning on the loch, a hike to a ridge, an hour of tasting oysters or Harris Tweed shopping, then back to silence and views.
Here's some of the best experiences within easy reach from Lochawe Village.
Architectural Icons — Kilchurn Castle + St Conan’s Kirk
Two of the most instantly recognisable viewpoints in Argyll sit at the head of Loch Awe.
St Conan’s Kirk (walkable from the village) is an architectural collage of cloisters, turrets, carved detail and a loch-side garden. It’s atmospheric in any season, but particularly beautiful in early evening.
Kilchurn Castle— one of the most photographed ruins in Scotland — is five minutes by car. Visit early morning or late day to see that mirror-like calm when mountains reflect into the water.
On the Water — Quiet Islands & Wildlife
Loch Awe is a paddler’s dream.
Hire a kayak or canoe, or take a local guided boat trip. Explore island bays, crannog remnants and sheltered shore edges. On still days the surface looks like ink.
Wildlife here is real and frequent: osprey, otters, deer, waterbirds.
Tip for couples: golden hour paddles feel like you’re the only two people on the planet.
Mountain Days & The Hollow Mountain
Above the village rises Ben Cruachan (1,126 m). The full summit or the Cruachan Horseshoe is a serious, rewarding hill day with vast views.
Even if you never set foot on the summit, you can still step inside the mountain.
The famous “Hollow Mountain”(Cruachan Power Station) offers guided tours into the turbine caverns — a bizarre + brilliant counterpoint to the wilderness above.
This is a perfect pairing: nature + engineering, in the same massif.
Gentle Nature — Glen Nant National Nature Reserve
Towards Taynuilt is Glen Nant Nature Reserve— a protected Atlantic oak woodland with riverside paths, ferns, mosses, birdsong and pocket views
Great for a walk with the kids or the doggo!.
Ideal if you want a slower day or gentle immersion between more ambitious outings. Bring a flask. Stop often. This is Scotland’s soft quiet.
Wildlife Encounters — Highlands, Raptors & Forest Tracks
For highland cattle, visit Cladich Fold— a working fold with beautiful animals and a rural, photogenic setting. Combine with forest tracks and small waterfalls on the Wild About Argyll trails nearby.
If you’re interested in bird behaviour or falconry, a session at Kintail Birds of Preyis intimate and genuinely educational.
Want to do it yourself? A pair of decent binoculars and a good wildlife guide will do.
Lochawe is abundant in Wildlife, you'll be hard pressed not to spot a stag in the Autumn, hear the woodpeckers in the spring and Ospreys in the Summer.
Pick and Mix for the undecided
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Arrival (North End):Lochawe Village stroll → St Conan’s Kirk. stconanskirk.org.uk
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Castles (Head of Loch):Kilchurn Castle + shoreline photo stops. VisitScotland
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Mountain/Engineering (North Bank):Ben Cruachan hike or Hollow Mountain tour. visitcruachan.co.uk
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Gentle Nature (West Side):Glen Nant woods + late loch walk. VisitScotland
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South Shore & Wildlife:Cladich Fold + forest tracks; option to add Kintail Birds of Prey. cladich-argyll.co.uk+1
Side Quests
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Oban: take the train for seafood, bussling boozers, shopping and small coastal town vibes.
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Inveraray: Drive out for the castle & oysters; baronial history and Scottish village vibes.
Practical Notes for the couple exploring:
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Book ahead for Cruachan tours, Cladich farm visits and popular restaurants like Ben Cruachan Inn.
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Hill days require full kit and experience; check conditions. Ensure you have a route full planned.
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Please tread lightly — island/shore habitats are sensitive. Check and know the Outdoor Access Code
Where to Eat & Sleep
Stay in Lochawe Village for loch views and minimal driving; dine locally and keep the evenings quiet, rest the weary legs by the comfortable fireplaces and savour a whisky.
FAQs
Where exactly is Lochawe Village?
On the A85 between Dalmally and Oban, at the north end of Loch Awe, next to St Conan’s Kirk. stconanskirk.org.uk
Is Kilchurn Castle walkable?
There’s a short walk from parking at the head of the loch; access varies seasonally — check for current guidance. VisitScotland
How far are Oban & Inveraray?
Typically 20–30 minutes by carfrom Lochawe, traffic-dependent. stconanskirk.org.uk
Things to See and Do
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Lochawe is served by the Oban–Glasgow train line, with a stop right in the village. The A85 roadconnects Lochawe to Oban (40 minutes west) and Tyndrum (25 minutes east).
Lochawe may be small, but its history and landscape are vast. Here, every path leads to a view, every stone has a story, and every visitor leaves with a sense of stillness that only the Highlands can offer.
A relaxed 2-day mini-itinerary
Day 1 – Kirk, castle & loch views
Morning: Arrive by train or car and drop bags at the Ben Cruachan Inn. Stroll to St Conan’s Kirk to explore its eclectic architecture and loch-side gardens. VisitScotland
Afternoon: Head to Kilchurn Castle for the classic panorama—bring waterproof footwear if it’s been wet. Golden hour here is unforgettable. Return for dinner and a nightcap in the village. Historic Environment Scotland
Day 2 – Hollow Mountain or high ridges
Option A (all-weather): Visit Cruachan Visitor Centre and, take the guided tour deep inside the mountain. Coffee and cake with loch views afterward. Visit Cruachan
Option B (fair weather): Hike Ben Cruachan (hillwalkers only) for a classic Argyll ridge day. Prefer something gentler? Choose a forest walk around Strone Hill or Glen Nant instead. wildaboutargyll.co.uk
Evening: Back to the Ben Cruachan Innfor dinner—then step outside for stars over the loch on a clear night.
