Inveraray Visitor Attractions

As one of Scotland’s top tourist towns, Inveraray and its surrounding area has something for everyone: historic buildings, visitor attractions, outdoor activities all set within spectacular loch and mountain scenery.

Museums

Inveraray Jail aside, there are two other museums in the area.

Inveraray Maritime Museum

Inveraray Maritime Museum is housed in the Arctic Penguin, a 1911 iron schooner permanently moored at Inveraray Pier. It exhibits displays and memorabilia of Clyde maritime history as well as allowing visitors to try their hand at knot tying, and working some of the onboard equipment. For parts of the year the famous, newly restored puffer Vital Spark berths alongside the Arctic Penguin.

Auchindrain Township Museum

Auchindrain Township Museum enables visitors to view life as it was up to 1000 years ago in rural Argyll. This open-air museum comprises longhouses, cottages, barns and byres, each retaining original features that give an insight into what daily life was like on the harsh but beautiful Scottish West Coast. Family tickets and coach party concessions are available. Dogs welcome.

Castles

Inveraray Castle

Inveraray Castle is one of the most magnificent buildings in Scotland. Its imposing size and impressive turrents are visible for miles around and it remains a huge draw for tourists. Inside, visitors can view the lavish State Dining Room, tapestries, and the stunning Armoury Hall with its walls adorned with muskets, pole-arms and axes. The Inveraray Estate also offers a variety of outdoor pursuits such as game and coarse fishing, shooting, and tranquil forest and hill walks.

Kilchurn Castle

The imposing and atmospheric ruins of Kilchurn Castle lie at the north western end of Loch Awe. Originally a fortress and grand home for the Clan Campbell it is now looked after by Historic Scotland who have improved access to all parts of the castle including its towers which have a commanding view of the loch and surrounding land. Access is from the bridge over the River Orchy on the A85 and tt is open daily from April to September.

Gardens

Ardkinglas Woodland Garden

Near the head of Loch Fyne is the Ardkinglas Estate. The woodland trails ascend and descend the hillside through the designed woodland garden which contains champion conifers, rhododendrons and azaleas and is home to the rare red squirrel, badgers, otters and deer.

Crarae Garden

Crarae Garden is 10 miles south of Inveraray and is centred around the River Crarae which plunges down a rocky gorge in the hillside and is accessed by a series of bridges. Spectacular rhododendrons, conifers and eucalyptus trees are everywhere amongst the rarer plants and shrubs and the entire garden is very Himalayan in feel and look, especially the upper reaches with its waterfalls. Facilities are excellent and include wheelchair access to parts of the garden, a visitor centre, and plant sales.

Benmore Botanic Gardens

Further to the south of Inveraray is Benmore Botanic Gardens which is one of Edinburgh Botanic Garden’s four sites. It has a walled garden, multiple paths and trails, a waterfall and ponds, Himalayan and Chilean glades and an avenue of magnificent Giant Sequoias around 150ft tall. The garden is open March-October, has disabled access and an open-sided people carrier for those with limited mobility.

Historic Buildings

Inveraray Bell Tower

The Inveraray Bell Tower lies right in the heart of the town. It is open to the public May-September and offers visitors the chance to climb almost to the top to see the 10 famous bells and on occasion hear them ringing.

St Conan’s Kirk

St Conan’s Kirk is situated on Loch Awe’s north shore in the Village of Lochawe. Built during the Victorian era, its design is decidedly un-Victorian. Its strange mix of architectural styles features turrets, spires, towers and detailed carvings and stained glass is borrowed from different periods and places with some unique details such as rabbit-shaped water spouts and owls head stone carvings. The church is open to the public daily.

Fishing

Inverawe Fisheries

Inverawe Fisheries is a superb centre for fly fishing centre a few miles west of Loch Awe. Its four lochs are graded to suit fly fishers of varying ability and experience and are regularly stocked with quality rainbow trout. There is also a beat on the River Awe which offers salmon and sea trout fishing. For those learning how to fly fish or who want to polish their skills, Inverawe’s fly fishing school provides top quality tuition from qualified instructors.

Loch Awe

Loch Awe is probably the finest trout fishing loch in the UK. The UK record breaking brown trout was caught here in 2002 weighing in at over 31lbs! The loch also contains huge ferox trout, pike, char and perch. The season runs from 15 March to 6 October and permits are available from The Tight Line, Loch Awe Stores and Loch Awe Boats.

Other Visitor Attractions

Cruachan Power Station

Cruachan Power Station is a working power station with a difference: it lies 1km inside Ben Cruachan – the “Hollow Mountain”. Visitors to this 5 star attraction are taken deep within the mountain to the view the enormous cavern which houses the turbines which convert hydro power into electricity at times of peak demand. There is also a visitor centre with exhibition and café. Tours are available from February-mid-December.

Argyll Adventure

Three miles south of Inveraray is Argyll Adventure – an outdoor activity park with five activities suitable for all ages. Choose from clay pigeon shooting, bungee trampolines, laser blast arena, horse riding and climbing walls. The park is open from Easter to October, reasonably priced and is run by fully trained, experienced staff.

Area Guides

Further information on the best places to stay and all there is to see and do in Argyll and Bute.

Welcome to Scotland.com - Argyll
Inveraray Marketing Group
Argyll on Line
Visit Inveraray
Walk Highlands
Kathy Cameron - Scottish Tourist Guide

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