Day Trips from the Old Manse

Circular tour of Loch Awe

Take A85 (Glasgow) for approx 18 miles to pass of Brander. Cruachan power station (in the Hollow Mountain) has a guided tour,which takes you half a mile into the mountain where 3 generating turbines sit in a man made cavern, which is as big as a cathedral.

Two miles further, beyond the filling station, on the right, is St Conan's Kirk; built at the beginning of the twentieth century with boulders from the slopes of Ben Cruachan. It is has a very interesting interior, and is well worth a visit.

One and a half miles further on from St Conan's turn onto the A819 (Inveraray). Then one mile further stop at the lay by on the left for the best views of Kilchurn castle.

A few miles further turn off A819 on to B480 (Caldich). This road follows Loch Awe on its south side; you will see wonderful views.

At the Ford Hotel turn right, this road follows you through Inverliever forest. The road rises high above the loch giving beautiful views and goes through Dalavich village.

Continue to follow the loch and take B845 to Taynuilt, a small village with lovely coffee shop (Robins Nest) and good antique shop.

Finally take the A85 15 miles back to Oban.

Oban to Easdale (Isle of Seil)

Take A816 (Lochgilphead). 8 miles south of Oban, turn right onto B844

Cross "Bridge over the Atlantic " (built 1792) onto the Isle of Seil. Just over the bridge is Tigh-an-Truish Inn (House of the Trousers), so called because this was the where the islanders changed from their national dress (the kilt) into trousers before travelling to the mainland, as wearing the kilt was a hanging offence on the mainland after the 1745 rebellion.

Clachan Bridge popularly called 'The Bridge Over The Atlantic Ocean' or 'Atlantic Bridge'

Carry on down the island; turn right to Easdale. This village is where the slate quarry workers lived. There is now a museum on the village of Easdale (which can be reached by a small ferry from Easdale village). The museum tells the history of slate quarrying on the island.

The craft shop in Easdale should not be missed! Once visited never forgotten! The Seafood restaurant near the jetty for the ferry is highly recommended by previous guests, Mr and Mrs Thomas from Newport, Wales.

Oban to Fort William via Glencoe and Kinlochleven

Take the A85 to Dalmally (Glasgow)

Places of interest en-route:

Dalmally to Bridge of Orchy:

Turn left onto B8074 (single track road) 1 mile north of Dalmally.
Follow the River Orchy Look out for the spectacular falls!

At Junction: Turn left onto A82 to Fort William into Glencoe. From here you will pass through 27 miles of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland:

Loch Tulla, Rannoch Moor, and the Blackmount.

Top end of the Glen: enter The Valley of Glen Coe (Lots of photo opportunities).

Bottom end of the Glen: Visitors' Centre The Glencoe Visitor Centre has recently been rebuilt (2002) and relocated to a site about half a mile from the original one, near Glencoe Village. The new centre is much bigger and has an impressive exhibition which is well worth visiting, including an audiovisual film, every 20 minutes, telling the story of the Massacre of Glencoe. It is not visible from the road but is well signposted.

North of the Visitors' Centre about a mile further on, turn right at Glencoe Hotel onto B863 to Kinlochleven. This is an alternative route to crossing the Ballachulish Bridge, as this offers spectacular views over the mountain tops and down onto Loch Leven.

To return to Oban turn right onto the A82 and then follow the scenic coastal road A828 back to Oban. Along the way points of interest are Castle Stalker (built on an island), Barcaldine Castle and the Oban Seal and Marine Centre which is a "must-see" attraction for children and adults alike.

The Old Manse Guest House, Dalriach Road, Oban, Argyll,
Scotland, PA34 5JE Telephone: 01631 564886
Email:oldmanse@obanguesthouse.co.uk