Loch Lomond and Cowal Way Walk, Strachur to Lochgoilhead, Scotland

When I looked at the Ordnance Survey (OS) app, I couldn’t help but notice what turned out to be “one of Scotland’s Great Trails” marked on the map, which ran very close to our accommodation. The Loch Lomond and Cowal Way runs the length of the Cowal peninsular (for 57 miles/90km) from Inveruglas at Loch Lomond to Portavadie at the southern end. *

I considered 2 possibilities, Garvie to Strachur or Strachur to Lochgoilhead. Now I like to finish at a pub if I can, as it gives a purpose and a dry shelter, especially if you’re getting picked up. However, after our trip around Bute, we stopped at the Creggans Inn in Strachur for a drink and were completely shocked to find the price of a pint of beer was £7 !! 😲 So the first option was ruled out completely. (For non-UK readers, the price of a pint in my local is £4.50).

Anyhow, the route chosen had plenty of easy to follow forestry track (and no sheep to tempt Tomos to chase 🐶), a good sized loch and a cascading waterfall, with the prospect of a refreshing beer in Lochgoilhead (though it turned out to be closed! 😣)

* More information on the full route can be found here. Note that it includes a nice, ‘Autumn’ promotional video, which has about 40 seconds of the waterfall and loch shown in the gallery below (after around 4m 45s). Though the footbridge the guy walks over wasn’t there when I got to that point and a good leap was required to get across the burn!