Old Castle Lachlan and Kilmorie Chapel, Lachlan Bay, Cowal Peninsula, Argyll and Bute

Old Castle Lachlan (click/tap to enlarge)

We did quite a few walks on the Cowal Peninsula back in September; you might have read my previous article on Otter Ferry or Benmore Botanic Garden. Here's another walk from the Cowal, this time covering Old Castle Lachlan and Kilmorie Chapel, Lachlan Bay, Loch Fyne. The route also incorporates a pleasant section along the coast beyond the castle. The route includes some there and back sections and in total covers 2.3 miles. The section to the castle has been much improved with a boardwalk in place. There is a little mud to contend with along the coastal section but nothing too challenging. It was an on lead walk for Jasper and Tommy though, due to various hazards: proximity to the road on the way to Kilmorie, marshland on the way to the castle and jellyfish on the coastal sections.

You'll find a link to the start location on Google Maps, along with maps of the route and GPS navigation file, at the end of the article. Information is current as of our last visit in September 2022. All images can be clicked/tapped to enlarge. More information about the walk and the area, can be found on the Lachlan Trust website here.

Our walk starts at the notable Inver Restaurant, where you'll find a large car park. From the car park you'll have immediate views of the ruin of the 15th century Old Castle Lachlan jutting out into Lachlan Bay. The castle was the home of the Maclachlan clan chiefs until the battle of Culloden in 1746 where the 17th clan chief was killed. The castle had fallen into a state of disrepair but The Lachlan Trust are raising funds to complete its conservation. Once you're done admiring the view, walk straight through the car park and along the front of the restaurant.

Our route goes through the car park and past the restaurant (click/tap to enlarge)

Continue through the outside seating area which looks like a nice place to stop off at in season 

The path then passes some lodges and into a wooded area

The boys seem to have really got the hang of sitting on benches!

We soon reach a narrow fork to the right. Rather than continuing on the boardwalk, turn off on the narrow right hand path, heading towards another car park and Kilmorie Chapel.

Continue straight along the narrow path, passing the car park on your right

The path continues through a gate

We soon reach Kilmorie Chapel, where the path turns to the right, through another gate

The ruined Kilmorie Chapel is medieval and it's where you'll find the graves of the chiefs of the Maclachlan clan, who have been buried here since the 15th century.

Kilmorie Chapel has many old graves surrounding it

Kilmorie Chapel and Maclachlan graves

Kilmorie Chapel and graveyard

Leaving the chapel, we retrace our footsteps back through the gates, past the car park, returning to the boardwalk.

Follow the boardwalk to the right, towards the bridge

The boardwalk arrives at a bench where we have a view of the New Castle Lachlan in one direction and the Old Castle Lachlan in the other. The new castle is early 19th century and was built by the 19th Maclachlan clan chief.

Jasper and Tommy always happy to be exploring somewhere new! New Castle Lachlan can be seen behind them.

Old Castle Lachlan

New Castle Lachlan

Follow the track at the end of the boardwalk around to the left towards the old castle. A short distance further along take the left fork out to the castle itself as per below.

 

Take the path left to the old castle here

Follow the path around the left hand side of the castle where you can enter the courtyard.

At the courtyard you'll find some interesting information panels about the castle

The path does continue around the castle on the left hand side but it's a bit precarious and I would recommend walking around the path from the right side of the castle instead.

Old Castle Lachlan

There are some lovely views down Loch Fyne from the shore at the castle as you can see below.

 

Follow the path back past the castle but continue straight on the grassy path, rather than continuing around the castle to the right, as shown in the following photo.

Take the grassy path straight on here

View back towards the castle

The path comes out at a T-junction. Follow the path left up the shore of Loch Fyne.

Looking back to the castle from the shore beyond

The path comes to a spot that's apparently ideal for a fry up!

Our route ends at a rocky beach where we take in some last beautiful views of the loch

The route back to the car park at the Inver Restaurant is straight forward. Follow the route back the way we came but keep straight on the farm track to bypass the castle.

Route overview with wider surrounding area. Route shown in black circle. Click/tap to enlarge image.

Below detailed route maps have black arrows to depict outward route and blue arrows to depict return route. Please note that the path shown out to Kilmorie Chapel and the path shown that runs from the castle to the main track are approximate as the actual paths do not exist on the map.

Route detail - part 1 of 3

Route detail - part 2 of 3

Route detail - part 3 of 3

Link to start location on Google Maps

NB link is to Inver Restaurant; take the right hand turn into the car park immediately after the restaurant.

Download GPX navigation file (from Google Drive)

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