A panorama from Cruachan (left) to Ben Lui (right)
To visit the southern shores of the loch from the opposite direction, leave the A85 west of Dalmally just beyond the Golf Course and turn left onto the A819 Inveraray road. There are excellent viewpoints on this road and mature stands of forestry plantations. Highland Cattle and self catering cottages are the attractions at Inistrynich estate, and the island of Inishail has been a burial place for centuries and has the remains of an ancient church. At Cladich turn right onto the B840 lochside road to Ford. This is a 21-mile single-track road going all the way to the far end of the loch. A variety of interests are catered for on this route, including attractive gardens to visit. About two miles along this road is St James’s Episcopal Church and its Parsonage. Nearby, there is excellent accommodation at Rockhill Stud Farm and Ardbrecknish House, which has self catering apartments, a restaurant and a bar. Ardbrecknish is also the main centre for fishing on the loch: Loch Awe Boats has boats and equipment for hire and advice and knowhow for free! Various social events are arranged at Ardbrecknish House and at Portsonachan Village Hall nearby.
LOCH AWE AT PORTSONACHAN
Loch Awe at Portsonachan toward Ben Cruachan
Slightly further along, on the left, is Portsonachan church, built circa 1906, originally as a mission house. The larches above the lochside on this stretch of road - traditionally planted to commemorate the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 - are well over 200 years old.
For 500 years a ferry plied the loch from Portsonachan to Taychreggan, and Portsonachan Hotel stands across the road from the site of the old ferry inn. Next comes Sonachan House, which offers a variety of accommodation amid beautiful grounds and, as with all the accommodation in this area, easy access to the loch. ABOVE PORTSONACHAN LOOKING WEST
Above Portsonachan, looking west

ABOVE PORTSONACHAN LOOKING NORTH EAST
... and looking north east

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