We are a community-led site, aiming to provide information
for the residents living around Loch Awe and its visitors.
Our community stretches from Bridge of Orchy in the north,
through Dalmally, Lochawe, Cladich, Ardbrecknish,
Portsonachan and on to Eredine in the south and includes the
longest freshwater loch in Scotland – Loch Awe. We are a
not-for-profit organisation and subscriptions from
accommodation providers and businesses fund space to promote
community activities and services. We actively encourage
involvement, so why not become a member and participate in
the Chat & Discuss Forum Page to promote an event, discuss
issues affecting the community, swap and sell, post a nature
or garden note, get neighbours together or cheer up someone
with a significant birthday.
Loch
Awe, sometimes called “the Jewel of Argyll”, is the centrepiece of the
stunning countryside stretching from the North Argyll Glens, on the edge
of Rannoch Moor, to the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada in the south. The
district offers a fabulous wilderness for anyone interested in outdoor
pursuits. So much is on offer - hill walking, climbing and cycling, as
well as lochs and rivers. There are good transport links with the rest
of Scotland by road and rail giving easy access and there are ferries
from nearby Oban, which can take you to the Western Isles.
"mouse over
any slide to pause"
Loch Awe’s
modern name probably stems from the Gaelic “Ceathairne” (eng. Cateran) for which
there is now no equivalent one-word meaning. However, the Cateran were small
roving bands of armed men with little regard for the law, but loosely held by
the old clan system of the McIntyres, MacArthurs, Macgregors, McNabs and
Fletchers. Then Loch Awe was a major highway, and tracks and paths were
restricted to certain river crossings and narrow glens; you can easily imagine
having to pay a small toll or tax to the Cateran for a safe passage. There is a
great wealth of history here and those with an interest can trace it from the
earliest settlements, the summer sheilings, through to the wild and lonely times
of the clearances, with many castles and kirks to visit.
Today the area still relies heavily on the rural economy with many
scattered farms and forestry plantations. The building of the
railway resulted in the growth of our two largest settlements,
Dalmally and Lochawe Village, where almost every service can be
found. Here, fine Victorian architecture rubs shoulders with classic
crofting communities. Now we offer a new form of communication -
make the most of Loch-Awe.com - come and join us!
