"Sit Back, Relax and Enjoy......" Loch Etive by nickandchris

Loch Etive Travel Guide: 10 reviews and 34 photos

Hand reared swans on Loch Etive. - Loch Etive

Majestic Scenery

Loch Etive is one of our favourite haunts, we find ourselves returning again and again.
It is just north of Oban and meets the Firth of Lorn and the open sea at Connel where the road bridge crosses to North Connel. Here you will see the amazing sight of The Falls of Lora, under the bridge, where a rocky shelf causes spectacular rapids and whirl pools as the tide races to meet the loch waters. You have to catch the tide at the right state to view this incredible sight.

Loch Etive

Fish farming on Loch Etive

The loch extends 8 miles from Connel to Bonawe (accessed by road) and another10 miles north east to nothing but a ruined pier. This eastern end is only accessed via a 14 mile beautiful single-track road from the Glen Coe Valley. There was a steamer service in the mid 1800's from Oban to the now derelict pier.
Bonawe can be reached either by the narrow road on the north side of the loch or from Barcaldine on the A828 via the B845.
Cruises leave from near the Bonawe Iron Furnace, Taynault, on the south side of the loch, Easter to October. It's a pleasant place to stop to view the wonderful scenery and watch the comings and goings of the boat.
Taynault was a ferry crossing to Bonawe from 1690 to 1966 when the Connel Rail Bridge was transformed into a road bridge, doing away with the need for a ferry.
The quarry at Bonawe is still operating and there is a large ruined house here, presumably the quarry masters. There is a small community here (what a location) with property most definitely in the exclusive bracket. The jetty still remains.
Fish farming, as on a lot of lochs, is very much in evidence with mussels and Rainbow trout being two of the crop.

Camping on Loch Etive

Dining with a view.....

We discovered Loch Etive by chance, simply following our OS map, looking for somewhere to free camp. We tend to look for unfenced roads on loch sides and this was a winner with there being one or two tracks off the narrow road to the loch shore. It was evident people had been there before us with a fire place intact complete with mussels on a grid! We have always been lucky and had this place to ourselves. It is perfect for our boat and the fishing has always been excellent. Seals are abundant and it's just a fantastic location.
We have frequently watched The Forces flying planes and helicopters low over the loch, quite exciting.
Just down the road is Ardchattan Priory and garden.
Mountain scenery is not in short supply with Ben Cruachan (1126m) overlooking Taynault on the east as well as Ben Starav towards the north end. The Glen Etive mountains Bauchaille Etive Mon and Bauchaille Etive Beag dominate the northern end.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Never been bothered by midges, here!!!!
Cons:Nothing to complain about
In a nutshell:Scottish bliss.....

Last visit to Loch Etive: Jul 2012
Intro Updated Jul 27, 2012
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Reviews (10)

Camping at Taynault jetty, taken from our boat. - Loch Etive

Super Views Hotels (2)

We camped here both on our way to and from Mull in July 2012. A great place to stop, right by the old jetty which is... more travel advice

Free Camping Hotels (2)

Just an amazing place on the loch shore, midge free and wonderfully peaceful. Easy access for the boat. more travel advice

Evening fishing on Loch Etive - Loch Etive

Simply Doing What We Like Favorites (1)

Our time on Loch Etive is simply spent, mainly boating, fishing and walking. Not to mention sitting relaxing and... more travel advice

Bonawe Off The Beaten Path (1)

This is the house near the quarries at bonawe. We thought the Quarry master's house. It is now in ruins but beautifully... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Mar 6, 2005

8 photos

Ardchattan and Loch Etive

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Comments (3)

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tiabunna Mar 16, 2007 at 4:28 AM

We didn't get to Bonawe, but loved Loch Etive and Ardchattan. Your page has brought it right back - good stuff!
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evaanna May 6, 2006 at 1:42 PM

What a great place to spend your holiday! Scotland looks really lovely. Wish we had a motorhome and didn't live that far!
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globetrott Nov 13, 2005 at 12:10 PM

Loch Etive is really a great & peaceful piece of Scotland ! Just a pity that many of the best locations of Scotland are not yet sorted under Scotland on VT...