Loch Fyne and Loch Awe are truly beautiful, and as their names suggest, they are both fine and awe inspiring! We had planned a day out, with the parents, towards Oban with a trip to the 'power station in the mountain' at Cruachan, and taking in St Conan's Kirk with it's spectacular view from the shores of Loch Awe.
From Glendaruel it's a lovely drive up Loch Fyne and back down the other side to Inveraray, then across country to Kilchurn Castle and the view point at the top of Loch Awe. The views along the way just sum up what an amazing place this is: loch views with mountains rising up behind, spectacular light and ever changing weather.
We sat in the car eating a picnic and waiting for the rain to pass before walking out to the castle ruin, through blustery, squally showers. And yet by the time we started the return walk it had dried up and the wind had dropped off to make it a very pleasant stroll.
Kilchurn Castle was a fortress, a residence and later a garrison stronghold, and contains the oldest surviving barracks on the British mainland. It was built in the mid-1400s, and it remained the base of the mighty Campbells of Glenorchy for 150 years. After the first Jacobite Rising of 1689, Kilchurn was converted into a garrison stronghold, but was abandoned by the end of the 1700s.
Further along the road to Oban, St Conan's Kirk is on the loch side, clinging on but secure in its granite construction. Nestled between it and the loch shore is the single track mainline railway from Glasgow to Oban - it's on the list to travel!
The kirk is in the village of Lochawe and attracts visitors from all over the world with its magical lochside setting and amazing architecture both inside and out. It is exceptional both in style and surroundings, with a strong sense of peace and inherent spirituality. It is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Argyll, yet the surprising size of the building means you can often feel you have the place all to yourself.
Designed and built by Walter Douglas-Campbell, the kirk is unique in having an example of almost every style of church architecture. Highlights include the Norman doorway, the Gothic flying buttresses, a Celtic cross, the Arts and Crafts carvings, the Saxon tower and even a Stone circle. There is a surprise at every turn! In addition, Walter commissioned some of the finest craftsmen to help decorate the interior.
A side chapel has (apparently) a piece of bone of Sir Robert the Bruce, and we were even treated to a live guitarist, whose music features in my video of the church.
We're sure that we'll be heading back along this route again as it's the gateway through to Oban (for the Isles) or heading further up the west coast to Fort William and beyond.
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