20 Attractions to Explore Near Loch Etive

A majestic marvel of the modern engineering in a breathtaking location on the slopes of Ben Cruachan. The buttress-style dam is 316 metres long and 46 meters high at its tallest point. The reservoir contained behind the dam can store more than 10 million cubic metres of water. It is one of only four pumped storage power stations in the UK, and is capable of providing a black start capability to the National Grid.

St Conan's Kirk is an extraordinary early 20th-century church on the shore of Loch Awe, built by Walter Douglas Campbell. The unique church has no level foundations, and features some unconventional architectural details. It was now one of the famous pilgrimage sites in this area and attracts a lot of tourists too.

A majestic ruin of a fortress, a comfortable 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. It is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland and is open to the public in summer.

Beinn Sgulaird is a Scottish mountain located between Glen Creran and Glen Etive in the southern highlands. It has a height of 937 m and is classed as a Munro. The mountain takes the form of a long ridge which runs from southwest to northeast, three kilometres of which lie above 800 m. Hillwalkers commonly traverse the ridge from north to south, as this gives the best views of the Hebrides to the west, in particular the Isle of Mull.

Beinn nan Aighenan is a remote mountain near the head of Glen Kinglass. It is an isolated mountain, the most popular routes to its summit are from either Glen Kinglass or a climb above the ridge from Glen Etive. It also offers beautiful views form here.

Loch Creran, situated at the northern end of the Firth of Lorn, is a typical fjordic sea loch. This loch has four deep basins separated by rocky sills. The conditions change from the entrance of the loch to its head. The site is particularly notable for biogenic reefs of the calcareous tube-worm Serpula vermicularis, which occur in shallow water around the periphery of the loch.

The West Island Way is a long distance footpath which explores the isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde. The route opened in September 2000 as part of Bute's millennium celebrations, and was the first waymarked long distance route on a Scottish island. It is a fairly easy walk of approximately 48 kilometres, passing through seashore, moorland, farmland and forest.

Glen Etive is a valley in the Highlands of Scotland. The River Etive flows through the valley, the river and its tributaries are popular with whitewater kayakers. A narrow road runs down the valley, serving several houses and farms.

Dunstaffnage Castle is one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland, stands on a huge cliff in northern Scotland overlooking the Firth of Lorn and the entrance to Loch Etive. In Scottish, a firth is a long estuary, similar to a fjord, and a loch is a mostly landlocked bay. It consists of a massive 13th-century curtain wall, with round towers, and an altered 16th-century gatehouse. Ranges of buildings within the walls contained a hall and kitchen.

A privately owned flat tidal island at the entrance to Loch Creran on the west coast of Scotland. The island is run as a hotel with wooded grounds. It is one of the iconic location for a holiday making and also Eriska is now owned by Creation Gem, a family-owned business from Hong Kong.

Castle Stalker is a four storey medieval tower house standing on a small rocky tidal islet known as Rock of the Cormorants. The Castle is believed to have its origins in a small residential fort built in 1320 and used by the MacDougalls who were the Lords of Lorn. Successive generations of the Stewart family have restored and protected this truly unique Scottish castle.

This is a rural beach that offers wonderful coastal views and gloriously soft sands. Walk along the coast of Ganavan Bay, admiring the views of the islands of Mull and Lismore. Swim in the waters off the coast carefully. The coastal and quiet road from Oban to Ganavan Sands is widely used by the local community for walks, running and cycling.

The river Orchy is a rain fed pool drop river. Recent gold mining exploration has occurred in one of the river's glens just outside the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. There are islands within the river including a large wooded one about 1 mi above Inverlochy Castle. The river is famous for kayaking, whitewater rafting, and fishing. Recent gold mining exploration has occurred in one of the river's glens just outside the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

It is the longest lake in scotland measuring 24 miles from northeast to southwest, situated in Argyll and Bute council area. It has also given its name to a village on its banks, variously known as Loch Awe, or Lochawe. There are islands within the loch such as Innis Chonnell and Inishail. Traditionally Loch Awe was the home of Clan Macarthur, later followed by Clan Campbell. Highlights to see include 2 picturesque castles, a remarkable early 20th-century church, an 18th-century industrial site.

McCaig's Tower and Battery Hill is a prominent tower on Battery Hill overlooking the town of Oban in Argyll, Scotland. It is built of Bonawe granite taken from the quarries across Airds Bay. Built in 1897 by local banker John Stuart McCaig, the aim of the tower was to provide work for local stonemasons and a lasting monument to the McCaig family. The gardens inside the tower are well maintained and are a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of town life in Oban.

Staffa, uninhabited Atlantic island of the Inner Hebrides, Scotland, situated 6 miles off the island of Mull and 33 miles west of Oban. The island came to prominence in the late 18th century after a visit by Sir Joseph Banks. The island’s distinctive six-sided columns of rock are formed from basalt, the same as the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. The latter's Hebrides Overture brought further fame to the island, which was by then uninhabited.

Oban Distillery is both one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and one of the smallest with just two pot stills. It has only two pot stills, making it one of the smallest in Scotland, producing a whisky that has been described as having a "West Highland" flavour that falls between the dry, smoky style of the Scottish islands and the lighter, sweeter malts of the Highlands.

Dunollie Castle is a small ruined castle located on a hill north of the town of Oban, on the west coast of Scotland in Argyll. Discover the 1745 Laird's House which holds the fascinating history of the the MacDougall Family and Servants Quarters, including our temporary "Women of Dunollie" exhibition featuring some of the most beautiful pieces from our textile collection.

Stob Gabhar is a complex mountain sitting above the forests surrounding the Abhainn Shira. It is part of the Black Mount group of mountains and stands on the border of the Argyll and Bute and Highland council areas. It is an easier ascent with a magnificent view over Rannoch Moor. Combining both peaks, this route is a fine expedition for experienced hillwalkers.

Bidean nam Bian is a complex mountain, with many ridges and subsidiary peaks. The most noticeable features of Bidean nam Bian are the famous Three Sisters of Glen Coe, three steeply-sided ridges that extend north into the Valley.