Whether you’re exploring Barcaldine Castle or strolling the cultivated lawns of the Ardchattan Priory Garden, Benderloch offers a sublime experience of Scotland’s west coast. Surrounded by lochs and countryside protected by Scottish Natural Heritage, Benderloch offers visitors the change to get up close to Scotland’s long history and wild natural beauty.
NATURE
A small village nestled within the county of Argyll and Bute, Benderloch gets its name from ‘beinn eadar dà loch’, meaning "a mountain between two lochs". Discover local marine life with a boat tour of Loch Creran or brave the waters with a wild swim. Hike to the well hidden, ethereal Fairy Bridge of Glen Creran. The beautifully cultivated Ardchattan Priory Garden on the north shore of Loch Etive has an abundance of meadows, herbaceous borders and views over the water.
HISTORY
A gentle stroll through the wilderness of Shian Wood Wildlife Reserve will whisk you back in time to untouched medieval landscapes. Take a boat trip across to the island of Lismore for a visit to Castle Coeffin, a 13th century castle built upon the ruins of a Viking fortress. Children and grown-ups alike will enjoy playing knights at Barcaldine Castle – an early 17th century tower house and iconic remnant of medieval Benderloch.
FOOD
Within range of Michelin-starred restaurants, Benderloch boasts colourful markets and proximity to the cosy pub culture of nearby Oban, the seafood capital of Scotland. Work up an appetite on a seafood trail, or opt for fish and chips on the pier. As the sun sets over Loch Creran, unwind over a dinner of Argyll venison with a glass of West Coast whisky.
Don’t forget to greet the fae folk as you cross the otherworldly Fairy Bridge of Glen Creran.