This was a family (all adults) trip- still not a suitable option to select.St Conan's Kirk is a beautiful and surprisingly large church at the top of Loch Awe village towards Oban. Worth a stop if you're in the area- there is a lay-by, which is big enough for one coach or a few cars
Wally Campbell (one of the Argyle tribe) loved his Mum so much that he utilised his architectural skills (and no doubt a sizeable bit of the family money) to build a Norman Church (St Conan's Kirk) for his Mum in 1930.Bits off ships, bits from other tumbled downs, even a bony relict from Robert the Bruce and there you are Mum - It's all yours on the banks of Loch Awe.Very impressive, Walter! —
This is a must see attraction. The church is gorgeous. It is absolutely brimming with interesting features and fabric. The pressed lead lead roof of the cloisters, the vaulted ceiling, the hound and running hares drainpipes, the gardens, Robert the Bruce Chapel, the list just goes on. To cap it all you can look down the loch to the Campbell's stronghold of Kilchurn Castle. You really MUST allow a couple of hours to enjoy this fabulous church and researchit before you go to et the very most from your visit.
A wonderful Kirk set on the side of Lochawe. Quirky architecture and a very unusual history. The Kirk is having an Open weekend, Saturday and Sunday 16th and 17th August to raise funds for needed repairs. Well worth a visit that weekend to take advantage of the guided tours and the exhibition.
Apparently, one man (not sure of his title) had this church built for his family - I'm a bit hazy on the details - but it's lovely inside - quite a surprise to find something like this off the beaten track. The interior feels much older than it is - it's very spacious - really unusual - well worth a visit.
The Hotel and Scenery was wonderful great atmosphere in the Hotel everyone was so Friendly. Did not Dislike anything, though I was hoping for a room with a Loch View but was told there was only one single room with a Loch View and it had been taken before me. Lucky the weather was fine and was able to see the great view from the Hotel Grounds down to Kilchurn Castle.
Interesting and very unusual, worth a visit if you are interested in unusual combinations of architecture. it is not as old as you may think but has its own charm.
This was an extra bonus side trip with Highland Heritage. Had about 20 minutes to explore but could easily have spent an hour. The view and setting of Loch Awe is amazing but the Kirk itself has so much to offer. Unfortunately with time limitation just couldn't do it justice. Would love to go again. So much more interesting than time spent in Fort William.
I went to Loch Awe today (26 October 2014). Only when I got home did I realise I'd not thought once about politics (there was a referendum in Scotland about independence on 18 September 2014 which consumed me). The bus to Oban from Glasgow goes along by Loch Lomond, Loch Long, Loch Fyne, then Loch Awe. It's such a beautiful route. St Conan's kirk. Beautifully weird. Eating pieces in the rain because the Loch Awe Hotel were putting up Christmas decorations (none of which was evident, but the receptionist straight out of Dickens marketing strategy said so) and couldn't apparently serve coffee at the same time. Got a coffee from the only shop and ate my home-made pieces in the intermittent rain. And I didn't think about politics once. It was a perfect day for this kind of place: grey, drizzly, dreich. To complete the picture, there's a ruined castle about a mile or so from St Conan's, but too far for me to walk there and back in time for bus back.I'm writing this review months after I went to St Conan's (26 October 2014) and I can't stop thinking about it. Although it's a functioning kirk, it's more like a stage set for some medieval extravaganza. There was only one other visitor there, so I'd the place more or less to myself. If I weren't restricted by bus times I'd make a visit to the castle a must, and if the Loch Awe Hotel (itself worth a visit - quite baronial with a balustrade) weren't so limited in their hospitality, maybe lunch or definitely coffee there too, so I'd say give this a good half-day to allow time to take in all three attractions.This is one of the most haunting, beautiful, romantic buildings I've seen in one of the most beautiful, romantic locations in Scotland. And that's saying something. Disclaimer: I don't know who took this stunning photo (it's just as awesome in real life) but I'm sure they wouldn't mind my sharing it.
Such a nice story, little church built out of local stone for his mother so she didn't have to walk the five miles she was walking.