Glen Orchy, Argyll, Scotland

Many guests enjoy a morning run. The single track road through Glen Orchy offers safe and gentle running for 5 miles in either direction!

Walking and Climbing

A significant number of our guests are “walkers”.  There are several high mountain massifs within easy reach: Glencoe, Mamores, Nevis Range, Glen Etive, Cruachan, Bridge of Orchy Munros, Glen Lochay and Ben Lawers, Ben Lui, Ben More and Stob Binnein. A number of companies offer mountain guides. Many guide books cover these routes. We request that you leave a route plan and an approximate return time in The Old House, to ensure your safety.

The counties of Argyll and Lochaber are covered with hundreds of lower hills which provide excellent walking in all conditions, we are happy to provide a few ideas. There are also a great number of level walks for all abilities.

In the winter months there are several Ice Climbs.

Useful resources for walking and climbing in Glen Orchy and the Scottish Highlands include:

• Discover Glencoe - discover and explore the nearby historic and dramatic glen of Glencoe
• Outdoor Capital of the UK - everything you need to know about enjoying all the outdoor action sports in Scotland
• C-N-Do Scotland - guided walking holidays in the Highlands
• The Walk Highlands website is also an excellent resource.

Fishing

Arguably the most popular activity in the Highlands. The River Orchy offers great Salmon and Trout fishing between March and October, and we can arrange this during your visit. A permit costs from £40 upwards per day. It is advisable to organise this when you are here, because we can give up to date information on the best stretches of water depending on the weather, and height of water.

Hill Loch fishing is free. Sea fishing is available from Oban.

Dogs

Thankfully Scotland is extremely dog friendly and you are welcome to roam anywhere with well-behaved dogs. It’s best to keep them well under control when close to livestock, so always carry a lead and a poop bag! The six or so acres around The Old House are reasonably secure although it is up to you to define the level of freedom that your best friend should enjoy! Most pubs are dog friendly, though generally restaurants and shops are not.

Bikes

Main roads in the area are busy (A82 and A85). However side roads offer plenty of gentle peddling plus some sections of “all ability” pathways in the area. There are good opportunities for mountain biking including extreme descents at Aonach Mòr and Glencoe Mountain. The only limits being those leg muscles! Bike hire available in Glencoe from CrankItUpGear and Oban Bike Hire.

Glencoe Mountain resort also offer a variety of downhill, XC and kids bikes for hire to try out on their trails.

White Water Sports

Every year a new way of getting very wet seems to appear! There are specialist providers for Kayaking, Canyoning, and Rafting in the area, plus Sea Kayaking in Oban.

• Rafting in Glen Orchy
• Vertical Descents
• Nae Limits Rafting
• Sea Kayak Oban

Salt Water

Argyll has an exceptional coast line and much of it can only be appreciated from the sea. Everything is catered for, from sensible whale/wildlife spotting trips to hair raising high powered blasts through tidal whirlpools. Please have a look at Seafari; Sealife Adventures and Lochaber Watersports.

Weather Forecasts

Glen Orchy provides a fairly temperate climate, avoiding most extremes. Forecasts are very useful when planning your activities. For walkers and climbers the Mountain Weather Information Service forecast is really good. For more general information, we find XC Weather most accurate. Both of these forecasts are good for up to 3 days, after that they only give a general trend. Local TV and Radio give a good national picture. Don’t forget to look out of the window for a “nowcast”!

Segway

Other forms of transport are also available in the area. How about Segway?

Golf

Think of Golf and you think of Scotland. Let’s face it the game was invented here! When visiting Argyll you have chosen to miss out on Gleneagles, St Andrews and Muirfield, but we can offer a challenging alternative! Almost every village has a 9 hole course with an honesty box for visitors. Dalmally, Taynuilt, Inveraray and Dragon’s Tooth, Ballachulish can flatter or frustrate for a small fee! Addtional golfing details can be found on the Loch Awe Community website.

Swimming Pools/Spas

Atlantis Leisure in Oban and Loch Fyne Hotel in Inveraray. Various other Spa treatments available.

Spectator Sports

In the spring Shinty is played in the west of Scotland. Shinty is best described as Hockey without rules and is hotly contested by local village teams. Ask if there is a local match during your visit, it will be absolutely unique and best enjoyed with a large dram!

Places of Interest

There are a number of visitor centres and museums in the area, covering everything from Clans to Whisky, to say nothing of many castles. We call this experience “Castles and Kilts”, however it can make for a very good day out! Kilchurn Castle, just down the road, is stunning. The Hydro Power Station in the hollow mountain is worth a visit.  There is also the Oban War and Peace Museum and Inveraray Castle.

Field Sports

We can organise Deer stalking for guests, in season. There is no game shooting in the area, however there is a single teal clay pigeon trap available at The Old House for the use of guests for a small fee. Please ask for details if you fancy a shot!

What’s On

Local Village Halls may have evening Ceilidhs or dances while you are staying in Glen Orchy. Several halls will have other classes or coffee mornings on the go. Please ask for details and view the Loch Awe Community website.

Church Services

Bridge of Orchy Church and Glenorchy Church (in Dalmally) are the nearest “Kirks”. They are both Church of Scotland so are predominately Presbyterian, however Episcopalian and Catholic services are held locally. All local congregations need support and you will be made very welcome. Please see the Strathfillan Parish website for details.

Cinema

The Oban Phoenix Cinema provides a daily programme, and the mobile cinema, The Screen Machine tours the area.

Skiing and Boarding

Glencoe Mountain is a 30 minute drive away and offers “traditional” Scottish skiing. Glencoe is historically the earliest Scottish uplift system and gives fabulous varied ski runs for all skill levels. It is not anything like a modern European ski area, it has diverse and quirky runs which are great fun to have on your doorstep and there may even be a few wonderful Alpine days each year and when conditions are right Glencoe Mountain has the longest marked ski run in Scotland.

The Nevis Range is at the Aonach Mòr ski area just north of Fort William about an hour away. It boasts some good runs and a Gondola lift! The choice is yours! Best conditions from December to Easter.