Welcome to Glen Orchy and Loch Awe
Glen Orchy is the beautiful valley, twelve miles long, in which the River Orchy runs between Bridge of Orchy and Dalmally. The River Orchy is one of the finest white-water rivers in the United Kingdom. Loch Awe is Scotland’s longest freshwater loch spanning 41km of unspoilt, rugged and magical beauty. These make up some of the most beautiful places in Scotland.
History
HISTORY
The Parish of Glenorchy and Innishail is a land of magnificent natural beauty and a fascinating past. The history of this place can be traced back to its Bronze Age hill-forts, 5th century BCE crannogs in Loch Awe and St Conan, the first Christian missionary in the Orchy area in the 7th century CE.
The Middle Ages brought the castles of Innis Chonnel and Kilchurn and the intricately-carved grave slabs now on display in Glenorchy Kirk. This area also witnessed the decades-long clan feud between the Campbells and the MacGregors and the upheavals of the Jacobite Rebellions.
The remains of old farming settlements and crofting townships can still be seen scattered throughout the parish. In the last two hundred years this land has been used for arable farming, sheep walks, deer parks and forestry.
The arrival of the railway in Victorian times heralded the beginnings of our tourist industry.
Glenorchy & Innishail Community Council
Bridge of Orchy
Bridge of Orchy is named after the crossing over the River Orchy, which was constructed during the pacification of …
…the Highland Clans following the Battle of Culloden in 1746. The village, which dates to 1751, is on the A82 road. The 96 mi (154 km) West Highland Way long-distance trail runs through the village.
Dalmally
Dalmally (Clachan an Dìseirt or Dail Mhàilidh) is along the Strath of Orchy two miles from the eastern tip of Loch Awe.
The largest settlement in the area, the former Labour leader John Smith was born in Dalmally and it is the headquarters for the International Aid Agency, Mary’s Meals.
Lochawe
The village of Lochawe lies at the north end of Loch Awe. It‘s home to the award-winning Ben Cruachan Inn and …
… the A listed St Conan’s Kirk, voted one of the 10 most important buildings in Scotland of the last 100 years.
Cladich, Eredine, & Portsonachan
Cladich (An Cladach) lies on the B840 just to the west of its junction with the main A819 on the south side of Loch Awe…
Cladich Estate Farm tours allow you to explore the stunning scenery as well as get up close and personal with highland cattlefrom the Cladich Highland Fold.
Portsonachan is 10 miles along the south side of Loch Awe. It used to be the ferry point for foot passengers across the loch between Portsonachan Hotel and Taychreggan Hotel in Kilchrenan.
Eredine is a hamlet on the southern banks of Loch Awe. In the 1930s a hillfarm like the nearby ones of Blarghour and Balliemeanoch was acquired by the Forestry Commission and planted as Eredine Forest. Kintail Birds of Prey is based in Eredine for hands on falconry experiences flying Scottish birds of prey overlooking Loch Awe.
Getting Here
By Train: Travel to the Loch Awe area by Rail is easy, with services on the route from Glasgow to Oban calling at Dalmally and Lochawe, and on the route to Fort William calling at Bridge of Orchy.
East Coast Route from south of the border to Edinburgh with connections to Glasgow and Dalmally and Lochawe or Bridge of Orchy.
West Coast Route from south of the border to Glasgow with connections to Dalmally and Lochawe or Bridge of Orchy.
Direct night sleeper train from London Euston to Bridge of Orchy. (Fort William sleeper service).
Explore: First Scotrail | National Rail Enquiries | Redspottedhanky.com
By Bus/Coach: Comfortable Express Coaches from National Express and Scottish Citylink can ferry you to the Loch Awe area from all parts of the country. Services from Edinburgh run to Bridge of Orchy and Dalmally / Lochawe (seasonal). Services from Glasgow run to Dalmally and Lochawe. NOTE that there are no taxi services in the area – please be sure to make arrangements to be met.
The National Express timetable website will let you check out times (and fares) from where you are, although it’s not infallible – if you find the timetable tells you there is no service, try entering from where you are to Glasgow, (or Edinburgh) then from Glasgow or Edinburgh to Dalmally or Lochawe. The Scottish Citylink Website will give let you book from within Scotland.
Explore: Scottish Citylink | National Express | Glasgow to Oban Citylink Timetable
By Air: Fly to the nearest international airports, Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Internal flights to Glasgow and Edinburgh from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, East Midlands.
Explore: British Airways | Easyjet
