Port Appin is a pretty little fishing village on a peaceful secluded peninsula between Oban and Fort William. Undoubtedly this village is one of Argyll’s most picturesque spots, overlooking Loch Linnhe, with Lismore, Morvern and Mull in the background. As you turn off the main A828 towards Port Appin, the first thing you will notice is Castle Stalker, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles. The castle occupies a small rock island to the north of village, it dates back to 1495 but what you see now is the result of restoration in 1960s.
A great way to explore the area is cycling, bikes can be hired in Port Appin (to Hire a bike contact Appin electric bike hire, at Rosebank, A828, Appin PA38 4BL, Phone: 01631 730426). The cycle track from Glencoe to Oban can be reached by crossing the Jubilee Footbridge. And if you want to venture further afield then a small passenger ferry run from the village to the neighboring island of Lismore and bikes travel for free.
There are plenty of walk roots around the village and nearby area, Port Appin circuit walk is an easy-going coastal walk taking in the headland beyond Port Appin with fine views over Lismore and out toward mull.
Another easy walk is across Jubilee Bridge toward Stalker castle, the walk continues across the tidal marshes of Loch Laich. The walk then follows a cycletrack and the shoreline to a good viewpoint of Castle Stalker before returning by the same route. For more routes to walk around the area please visit Walkhighland website.
Don’t miss out the Lighthouse Appin craft shop, this is a local arts & craft shop/gallery, tourist information and coffee shop. Which specialize in crafts & arts, mostly locally made and from around Scotland. The products are unique and of high quality, most of them one-off, arts & crafts from over 80 local and Scottish artists and crafters are on display. The owner of Lurach Graeme MacCorquodale is one of the local artists that displays his wildlife and landscapes paintings in the local craft shop.
Kinlochlaich and Druimneil are two garden centre in the village that worth a visit, if you fancy horse riding then visit Lettershuna Riding centre. If you like to explore further then the Scottish Sea Life Centre Sanctuary at Barcaldine is 16 minute drive from Lurach. Oban is only a ½-hour drive from Lurach, you can Visit McCaig’s Tower, Oban Distillery, Dunollie Museum, Castle & Grounds, and Dunstaffnage Castle & Chapel. Oban is the gateway to the isles, CalMac Ferries, operate an extensive service from Oban to many destinations. You could catch the Ferries to explore Mull, Staffa or Iona, all with an abundance of wildlife. Other places to visit include Bonawe Iron Works, Cruachan Hollow Mountain, Loch Etive and Ardchattan Priory Gardens. Inveraray, the traditional county town of Argyll and ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, is 47 miles from Lurach. This beautiful town offers a massive choice of historic sites including castles and monuments where stories of Scotland’s turbulent past will entertain you. Glencoe and the busy tourist resort town of Fort William are 45 minutes drive from Lurach and offer plenty of outdoor activities. A great excursion from Fort William is to Glenfinnan Viaduct, often recognized from numerous Harry Potter movies (amongst other films), and steam excursions aboard the lovely Jacobite steam train along the West Highland Line. Other outdoor pursuit on offer include boat hire, sailing, and windsurfing, waterskiing, clay-pigeon shooting, pony trekking, diving, canoeing, golf, mountain biking and fishing. The village shop, and Pier House Hotel and restaurant are in walking distant from Lurach. Other nearby cafes and restaurants include Creagan Inn, Old Inn, and Castle Stalker view cafe.
