Route: Old Castle Lachlan
Area: Scotland, Cowal Peninsula, Argyll
Date of walk: 11th September 2025
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 2.0 miles
Ascent: 100 feet
Weather: Bright at first, then heavy rain
As we drove over to Loch Fyne for the start of today’s walk there were several downpours and it looked as though the weather might cause us to abort our planned walk. We parked by the Inver Restaurant, which has a wonderful view over Lachlan Bay to the Old Castle Lachlan, and waited for the rain to stop. Eventually it did and we drove to another nearby car park adjacent to a footbridge over the Strathlachan River. Having crossed the footbridge we followed a boardwalk across Lachlan Bay. The remains of Old Castle Lachlan soon came into view. The castle is a fifteenth century fortress occupying a rocky headland overlooking Loch Fyne. It was the major building of the local clan, the Maclachlans. There has been a castle on the site since at least 1314. The old castle fell to ruin after the Clan of Maclachlan supported Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 Jacobite rebellion. Their chief joined the Prince’s army but was killed at the ill fated Battle of Culloden (1746) by a cannon ball
We left the main path to take a minor path which took us to the castle ruins. Having wandered around them, we rejoined the main path to continue our walk around the bay. After walking along a stony beach we arrived at a headland and, as we did so, the heavens opened. We lingered for a few minutes but the weather showed no sign of changing so we reluctantly decided to end our planned circular route and retrace our steps back to the start. It had been a short and pleasant stroll, even though it wasn’t the one we’d intended. However, it’s worth sharing for the views of the old castle and for anyone who wants a short easy walk in the area
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Near the start of the walk, as we waited for the rain to stop, we were treated to a rainbow over Castle Lachlan
At last the weather improved and we parked near this bridge over the River Strathlachan
We follow a boardwalk across Lachan Bay
Looking across to Castle Lachlan (which is a baronial house and not to be confused with the Old Castle). It is the home of Clan Chief Euan Maclachlan and his family
Looking across Lachlan Bay and Loch Fyne
Old Castle Lachlan comes into view...
The original castle later replaced in the 15th century with the keep or tower that today is in ruins
'New' Castle Lachlan again
Promising light as we continue around the bay, but it didn't last long
We make a short there and back detour to explore the ruins
Lachlan Bay from the castle
View across Loch Fyne
We continue around the stony bay ahead
Looking back to Old Castle Lachlan
Weather coming our way
It started raining at this point. We got as far as the end of the bay, but the rain became torrential so we abandoned our planned circular walk and retraced our steps to the start. Despite the interruption it had been an enjoyable and easy short walk
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