Walking 

Over 100km of linked routes within the area will soon be available via the Dalriada Project’s Heritage Access Network.   There is already a great variety of walks in the area and some suggestions are listed below...

Crinan, Knapdale and Kilmichael Forests

Listed on the Woodland Trust, Forestry Commission sites and those through the two National Nature Reserves in the Dalriada area at Moine Mhor and Taynish  You are of course welcome to walk throughout the area.  Take a look at the Scottish Outdoor Access Code in order to get the best out of your walk.

National Nature Reserves 

There are walks through the NNRs at Moine Mhor and Taynish.

Nature Walks

Try the reserves above as well as Knapdale Forest (look out for the beavers), Glashan Forest, Crinan Wood and the Add Estuary.

Dog walks

The walks from Barnluasgan in Knapdale are popular as is Blarbuie Wood near Lochgilphead. Or how about a stroll along the Crinan Canal towpath.

Archaeology Walks

Sorry, you’ll find it difficult to avoid archaeology here, just take a look in the Kilmartin Museum, or explore some of the prehistoric archaeology by downloading a route from NVA's 'Half-Life' site. 

History Walks

Once again a good place to find out more is the Kilmartin Museum.

Walking through Temperate Rain Forest

Taynish National Nature Reserve
Crinan Woods

Find out more about our Atlantic oakwoods from the
Forestry Commission.

Child Walks

Sometimes they want a lot of interest in a short distance.  And they don’t want to go far to get it.  The walks outlined below pack in as much as possible:

Woods, water and nature:

The Forestry Commission's visitor centre at Barnluasgan is a great place to find out about the local wildlife and the starting point for a number of trails around lochs and through the woods.

Crinan Woods include a sculpture trail and wonderful views over the Add Estuary and Sound of Jura. 

For a walk close to Lochgilphead (next to the hospital) with lots to see and do head for Blarbuie Wood.

Castles, stone circles and tombs:

Climb to the top of Carnassarie Castle  and look down on Kilmartin Glen and 1000's of years of history.  

One mile down the road visit Kilmartin Museum and find out more about the people who lived here long ago.

Play Parks

Lochgilphead is best with fantastic views and coffee shops nearby, Tayvallich and Ardrishaig are worth stopping at.

Cycling 

Cycle Trails

For the fearless and the fearful try the Fire Tower Trail close to Lochgilphead. 

There are many waymarked and unmarked trails on Forestry Commission land.  Try those at Barnluasgan and Glashan Forest.

The Visit Scotland site has a number of routes including:
Knapdale: Ardnoe

The Sustrans route from Oban to Campbeltown runs through the Dalriada area on quiet roads and includes some traffic-free sections.

You can hire a cycle from Argyll Activities in Ardrishaig.  Cycle hire, parts and repair is available at Crinan Cycles in Lochgilphead.

Running

Over 100km of linked routes.  The Dalriada Project website will soon show a map.  In the meantime look at the Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage websites. 

Riding  

From half an hour through the local woods to a two week trail from here to Ben Nevis.  Riding centres at Brenfield, Ardrishaig at Daltote and Lunga near Ardfern.

If you would like to know more about pleasure/endurance rides take a look at the Argyll branch of the Scottish Endurance Riding Club

Sandcastles

Crinan Ferry and when the tide washes them away go to Kilmory Bay.

Kite flying

Try Kilmory Bay and Crinan Ferry beach.  Just watch those electricity cables!

Golf

There is a picturesque 9-hole golf course on the outskirts of Lochgilphead.

Within Argyll there is also a golf club at Tarbert and the famous links course at Machrahanish.

Shooting

Brenfield Farm at Ardrishaig for clay pigeon shooting.

Stalking

Stalking is available on the Ormsary Estate and through Bruachan Fieldsports.

Boat Watching

The Crinan Canal and in particular Crinan Basin are great places to spend a few hours watching the boats go by.  More information on the canal can be found at British Waterways Scotland and Waterscape.

Lots of yachts, but Puffers, fishing boats and naval vessels use this short-cut as well.  

Beautiful Gardens

Our mild climate favours a diverse range of plants to be found.  There are a number of spectacular gardens to visit including Kilmory Woodland Park just a mile out of Lochgilphead.

More information from Argyll's famous gardens.

Book an escorted visit with Garden Visit.

Banger Racing

If you are up Kilmichael Glen and something unidentifiable goes past at high speed it is most likely either to be a peregrine falcon or a banger that hasn’t got stuck in the mud - yet.

Amazing Views

Get up high!

What Thomas Telford did

Find out about the amazing story of how the Crinan Canal was built.