On the banks of Loch Awe stands the ruins of Kilchurn Castle. A popular attraction for visitors to the area.
On Location: 22nd April 2024
Parking: There is a roadside layby (free) with limited parking. GR: NN 1346 2719 What Three Words: ///darling.poker.sweetened Just a warning though, this is a regular stop-off for coach trips, especially in high season so be prepared to find the layby busy.
Refreshments and facilities: There are no public toilet facilities at this viewing point for the castle. Nor are there any options to obtain refreshments here. The nearest village is Dalmally which has a good village stores.
Introduction: The ruins of Kilchurn Castle are situated on a headland at the north end of Loch Awe in Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands. Surrounded by high mountains this castle is not only romantic but very photogenic. The photographs shown here are from an area known as Kilchurn Grazings which south of the castle and across the loch. This give the best viewpoint of the castle. To find out more about this castle click here.
Please note: The viewpoint area, Kilchurn Grazings is part of a working farm. Livestock are nearly always in the fields and the farmer has had many issues with dogs worrying the stock as well as other situations. That’s why in the first photograph you will see plenty of notices about what you can/ can’t do on the site. I have spoken to the farmer who is a nice guy. Sadly he gets a lot of verbal abuse from those who don’t obey the rules. So much so, he has had to take to wearing a body camera. You have been warned.
Right at the layby there is a double gate which leads into the open pasture. As you can see there are plenty of notices advising of what you can or can’t do in the area.
There are various routes down to the loch shore, however much of this land is boggy so the paths can be very muddy in places. I headed down to the right to the obvious copse of trees.
The trees are on a slight mound which is encircled by a low wall. A nice subject matter in it’s own right.
Closer to the shore there are random trees which are handy to frame the castle across the loch.
Kilchurn Castle sits underneath some high mountains which give compositions a backdrop and scale.
I was lucky with some good patches of sunshine. It is only the pylons on the hillside which add a modern look to the scene.
Perhaps the classic view of Kilchurn Castle with Beinn Eunaich behind.
We visited the area in the early afternoon and enjoyed the visit. I came away with some ideas for paintings. The best time of day to visit would be in the early morning or late afternoon when the light can add to the subject. It is also less busy at those times of day.
Definitely add it to your list if you are in the area.
I hope you have enjoyed this short blog, thanks for reading.
