Taynuilt

United_Kingdom

Taynuilt is a village in Argyll and Bute in the Highlands of Scotland. It's on the south shore of Loch Etive, at a point where the loch is pinched, so for centuries it was a ferry crossing. The ferry closed in 1966 when Connel Bridge downstream became the main route north. Taynuilt is set among scenic hills, but the main reasons to visit are two industrial sites: the 18th / 19th century ironworks, and 10 miles east is Cruachan power station deep within the mountain.

  • Bonawe Ironworks, Taynuilt PA35 1JQ. Apr-Sept W-F 09:30-17:30. This complex was built in 1753 to make pig iron, because the area had lots of water, and wood to make charcoal to fire the furnace. A major product was cannonballs. When more efficient blast furnaces opened in the lowlands, the works became unprofitable and closed in 1876. Adult £6.
  • Cruachan, Dalmally PA33 1AN (A85 five miles east of Taynuilt, +44 1866 822618. Apr-Oct M-F 09:30-16:30, Nov & Feb-Mar M-F 10:00-15:30, closed mid-Dec to Jan. Ben Cruachan is "the hollow mountain", with a hydro-electric power station deep inside. A weird experience where 20th century massive engineering meets Peer Gynt's "Hall of the Mountain King". Adult £7.50, conc £6.50, child £2.50.
  • You can also hike to the dam above, or ascend Ben Cruachan (3694 feet / 1126 m). Kilchurn Castle
  • Kilchurn Castle, Dalmally PA33 1AF (head of Loch Awe. Apr-Sept daily 09:30-17:00. Picturesque ruin of a four-storey tower, a redoubt of Clan Campbell. In 1760 it was wrecked by a massive thunderbolt, with a tower turret blown away to sit upside down in the courtyard. When first built around 1450 it was on a small island, but the loch water level was later drained so it became a peninsula - usually. High water levels occasionally flood the access path under the railway tracks and it returns to being an island. Free.

Bonawe Ironworks, Taynuilt PA35 1JQ. Apr-Sept W-F 09:30-17:30. This complex was built in 1753 to make pig iron, because the area had lots of water, and wood to make charcoal to fire the furnace. A major product was cannonballs. When more efficient blast furnaces opened in the lowlands, the works became unprofitable and closed in 1876. Adult £6.

Cruachan, Dalmally PA33 1AN (A85 five miles east of Taynuilt, +44 1866 822618. Apr-Oct M-F 09:30-16:30, Nov & Feb-Mar M-F 10:00-15:30, closed mid-Dec to Jan. Ben Cruachan is "the hollow mountain", with a hydro-electric power station deep inside. A weird experience where 20th century massive engineering meets Peer Gynt's "Hall of the Mountain King". Adult £7.50, conc £6.50, child £2.50.

Kilchurn Castle, Dalmally PA33 1AF (head of Loch Awe. Apr-Sept daily 09:30-17:00. Picturesque ruin of a four-storey tower, a redoubt of Clan Campbell. In 1760 it was wrecked by a massive thunderbolt, with a tower turret blown away to sit upside down in the courtyard. When first built around 1450 it was on a small island, but the loch water level was later drained so it became a peninsula - usually. High water levels occasionally flood the access path under the railway tracks and it returns to being an island. Free.

  • Golf: Taynuilt Golf Club is a scenic 9 hole parkland course just north of the railway line; 9 holes £12, 18 holes £20.
  • Taynuilt Highland Games are held annually in late July. The next event is tbc but probably Sat 18 July 2020.
  • Loch Etive is a sea loch almost 20 miles long. Its scenic upper reaches have no roads and can only be accessed by boat. Boat trips run in summer but these depart from Dunstaffnage marina near Oban; it may be possible to negotiate a pick-up in Taynuilt. Boat hire is available at TFC Boats just west of the village.

Golf: Taynuilt Golf Club is a scenic 9 hole parkland course just north of the railway line; 9 holes £12, 18 holes £20.

Taynuilt Highland Games are held annually in late July. The next event is tbc but probably Sat 18 July 2020.

Loch Etive is a sea loch almost 20 miles long. Its scenic upper reaches have no roads and can only be accessed by boat. Boat trips run in summer but these depart from Dunstaffnage marina near Oban; it may be possible to negotiate a pick-up in Taynuilt. Boat hire is available at TFC Boats just west of the village.

Smoked salmon from the smokehouse at Inverawe, east of the river, open daily 09:00-17:00.

Robin's Nest Tearoom on village Main Street serves freshly prepared lunches and homebaked cakes. It's open Th-Su 10:00-16:30.