Explore The Loch Awe Hotel

The Loch Awe Hotel is in an idyllic location, with many walks in the surrounding area. Kilchurn Castle is just along the shore and is one of the best maintained medieval castles in Scotland. The spiral stairs offer a panoramic view of the loch and the surrounding mountains. Loch Awe offers plenty of scenic walks all offering a chance to soak up the beautiful surroundings, from a wander around St. Conan’s Kirk to the more challenging Ben Cruachan.

You can download a copy of some of our favourite walks here.

If you would like some more ideas our favourite website for walking inspiration is WalkHighlands!

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walker's responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.

As a catchment area for many of the surrounding rivers, water quality is high and fish thrive in this rich feeding area. Famous for its brown trout Loch Awe holds the British record for the largest rod-caught brown trout which weighed in at 31lb 12oz in 2001. The trout fishing season in Loch Awe runs from March 15th to mid-October. Loch Awe is also home to pike, perch, char and rainbow trout which attracts anglers of all abilities.

Fishing permits are available from the local shop across the road from the hotel. Boat hire is available from Loch Awe Boats and Loch Aweside Marina.

• Loch Awe Stores: 01838 200200 (www.loch-awe.com/local-businesses/lochawe-stores-and-post-office/)
• Loch Awe Boat Hire:07703112422 (www.loch-awe.com/things-do/boat-hire/)
• Loch Aweside Marina: 07541 206698 (lochaweside-marine.co.uk)

To find out more information about fishing, permits and hire please visit the about Loch Awe Website.

Please note fishing rods cannot be taken on any of our coaches. 

Much of the countryside is covered in woodland, both ancient deciduous woodland and more recent conifer forestation. The surrounding area hosts a variety of wildlife including birds of prey and migrant birds that travel north for the summer. At any time of the year there is always a selection of birdlife to see on Loch Awe, although winter is probably the best time. Small flocks of tufted duck and pochard are often hovering near Kilchurn Castle and other wintering duck like goldeneye also turn up, along with the odd cormorant coming in from the sea. Both mallard and goosander are resident throughout the year and breed along the shore. In summer months the resident species like blue tit, great tit, robin and chaffinch are joined by a host of migrants that spend the winter around the Mediterranean or in Africa. These migrants include the wood warbler, redstart and both the pied and spotted flycatcher. 

Birds of prey are well represented too, with both sparrowhawk and buzzards breeding in the woods. Golden eagles do occur in the area but are not so common.

The wild animals, although secretive, are magnificent when spotted. Both red and roe deer patrol the local landscape, as well as grey squirrels and the more elusive red squirrel. Pine martens are now common throughout the area, although in the past this animal was severely prosecuted and for a while was mainly restricted to the far north of Scotland. Today the pine marten is fully protected and it is now slowly spreading southwards to its native region.

Lochawe village and hotel owe their existence to the railway station. 

The train line connects the remote village to Glasgow, Oban and the North providing plenty of day trip possibilities.

Train times vary seasonally but you can easily check them out on the National Rail Website.