Loch Etive, Scotland A Complete Guide
Welcome to Loch Etive, a place in Scotland that is beyond incredible to the eye and senses. We’d been to Glencoe multiple times, and seen the James Bond Skyfall road through Glen Etive. We’d only ever driven partway down previously. It’s a narrow single-track road with passing places. But we always felt like we’d seen enough and turned back.
Wow were we wrong. So incredibly wrong…
So in October last year, we ventured down to the end of the 12-mile road to Loch Etive. And boy oh boy did we get a treat.
You can drive all the way to the end of the road at Glen Etive and you get to a car park. From here you can explore the shorelines of Loch Etive.
It is stunning, beautiful, and picturesque. In all honesty, we can’t promote this place enough. We love tranquil places that make you feel like a speck in nature. We had mountains, waterfalls, wildlife and a Loch. Seeing Owls and bats after sunset and Deer with their matting call across the Loch. We were in heaven.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. That’s why we’ve put together this guide for you, so you can get all the information you need and make sure you head there next time you’re in Scotland road-tripping.
Table of Contents
- About Loch Etive
- History of Loch Etive
- Where is Loch Etive
- How To Get To Loch Etive
- Parking at Loch Etive
- Weather/Climate
- Best time of year to visit Loch Etive
- Things to do at Loch Etive
- Where can I stay at Loch Etive
- Where can I eat at Loch Etive
- Wild Swimming at Loch Etive
- Hillwalking around Loch Etive
- Boating
- Fishing on Loch Etive
- Birdwatching at Loch Etive
- Dolphins
- What To Pack for Loch Etive
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About Loch Etive
Loch Etive is a 31.6 kilometres (19.6 miles) sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Funnily enough, we hadn’t realised it was a sea Loch so were surprised to see the levels change when we saw it the following day🙈😂.
It’s also up to 150 metres (490 feet) deep at points and approximately 1.2 km to 1.6km wide. It is divided from the sea near the village of Connel by the Falls of Lora waterfall.
History of Loch Etive
Loch Etive, like a lot of Scotland, has a long and rich history. It was once home to a number of Pictish and Celtic settlements.
Loch Etive was part of one of the most powerful kingdoms in Scotland at the time. The kingdom of Dál Riata. which may have had a stronghold at the site of
Dunstaffnage Castle, pre-construction. The castle is located at the mouth of the loch and was the stronghold of the Dál Riata kings.
In the 13th century, Loch Etive was also home to Ardchattan Priory, a Benedictine priory founded by Sir Duncan MacDougall. The ruins of the priory still stand today.
In the 18th century, Loch Etive became an important centre for the iron industry.
The Bonawe Iron Furnace, located on the shore of the loch, at the time, was one of the largest and most important iron furnaces in Scotland.
Today, Loch Etive is a popular tourist destination and is known for its stunning scenery, wildlife, and outdoor activities.
Where is Loch Etive?
Loch Etive is situated on the west coast of Scotland, in the region of Argyll and Bute. It is roughly 5 kilometres north of the town of Oban. It’s surrounded by the most beautiful scenery and peaks of Ben Cruachan and Buachaille Etive Mòr. The loch reaches the sea, something we didn’t realise at first lol. Hence the tide going in and out… Hey, you learn something new every day. It meets the sea at the village of Connel, where the Falls of Lora waterfall creates a dramatic tidal surge. Very popular with kayakers.
How To Get To Loch Etive
Option 1 - Top of the Loch
There are a couple of ways to get to Loch Etive. One from the top, which you’ll need to be heading through Glencoe.
- To get to Loch Etive via Glen Etive, you'll need to head to the Scottish Highlands. If you're coming from Glasgow, the easiest way to reach Glen Etive is by car. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours and the route is well signposted.
- From Glasgow, take the A82 towards Fort William. Once you reach the village of Tyndrum, turn right onto the A82 towards Glencoe.
- Continue on this road for approximately 20 miles, then turn left after you have crossed River Etive Bridge.
- Follow this road for around 2.7 miles until you reach Glen Etive. If you drive the full length of the road to Loch Etive it's around 12 miles.
If you do not have access to a car, there are also bus and train options. The nearest train station is in Bridge of Orchy, approximately 10 miles from Glen Etive.
From there, you can take a taxi or bus to the glen.
Alternatively, there are bus services that operate from Glasgow to Fort William, with stops in various towns and villages along the way. From Fort William, you can then take a taxi or bus to Glen Etive.
Option 2 - Bottom of the Loch
The second option is from the bottom of the Loch. With this option, you’ll be heading near Oban.
To get to Loch Etive from Glasgow by car, you will need to take the A82 and A85 roads. The journey is approximately 166 kilometres and will take around 2 hours and 49 minutes.
Here are the directions:
- Head north on the A82 road.
- Continue on the A82 until you reach the town of Crianlarich.
- At Crianlarich, take the A85 road west towards Oban.
- Continue on the A85 until you reach Loch Etive.
You can see the directions on
Google Maps.
Parking at Loch Etive
If you’re heading to Loch Etive from the Glencoe area, you’ll need to head down the 13-mile road through Glen Etive. At the end of the road is a great parking area right next to the Loch. When we visited in October the car park was still quite busy. We mention this as it’s quite a drive to get there, so keep in mind the time of year and how busy it may be.
There’s probably about enough space for 8 plus vehicles. Well worth the drive to get the epic views at the end.
From the car park, you are literally on the edge of the Loch.
Weather/Climate
Like a lot of Scotland, the weather can be incredibly interchangeable. If you’ve ever been to Scotland before you’ll know that you can experience all 4 seasons in one day.
In winter months there will most likely be snow on the mountain tops. With Glencoe Mountain Centre just around the corner, you know you’re in the area of snowfall. We were lucky enough to get snow in May when we first went. Yes, May… So pack carefully :)
If you head there in the summer months just be aware of the midges and take the precautions you need.
What is the best time of year to visit Loch Etive?
Loch Etive is stunning all year. It’s an ever-changing landscape, where you’ll get something different for each season.
- In Spring the weather starts to warm and nature is waking up from Winter. It can still be cold. As we mentioned we got snow in May.
- In the Summer you’ll get longer days and warmer weather. On the flip side, you’ll have to battle the midges.
- In autumn everything turns from summer bloom and flourishing green plants. To the autumnal reds, and browns. A whole array of colours. This is when the temperatures start to cool for the winter ahead. But as the weather in Scotland and the UK is interchangeable, we went in September 2023 and got a sun tan.
- Winter at Loch Etive’s surroundings can be covered in snow if the time it right. Undoubtedly the mountain will be capped with snow. This will also be one of the quieter times to visit throughout the year.
Whatever time of year you choose to visit Loch Etive you’ll not regret it.
What are the things to do at Loch Etive?
There are a number of things to do at Loch Etive, including:
- Taking a boat trip on the loch: This is a great way to see the scenery and wildlife up close. There are a number of different boat trip operators offering tours.
- Hiking in the surrounding mountains: There are a number of well-marked hiking trails in the area, leading to stunning viewpoints.
- Visiting the Bonawe Iron Furnace: This historic iron furnace was built in the 18th century and is now a museum.
- Exploring the ruins of Ardchatten Priory: This ruined priory is located on the shore of the loch and dates back to the 13th century.
Where can I stay at Loch Etive?
There are a number of places to stay at Loch Etive, including hotels, guesthouses, campsites, and self-catering accommodation. Some of the most popular places to stay include:
North of Loch Etive
Hotel/Pubs
Self Contained Accommodation
- Heart of Glencoe Holidays
- Duart Cottage
- Bothan Creag Sobhrag
- Aos Sí Lodges
- RiverBeds - Luxury Wee Lodges with Hot Tubs
- Hunters Lodge Apartments
South of Loch Etive
Hotel/Pubs
Self Contained Accommodation
Where can I eat at Loch Etive?
A: There are a number of places to eat at Loch Etive, including restaurants, pubs, and cafes. Some of the most popular places to eat include:
- The Ballachulish Hotel Restaurant
- Etive House Hotel Restaurant
- The Connel Bridge Inn
- The Port Appin Hotel Restaurant
- The Glencoe Visitor Centre Cafe
Wild Swimming at Loch Etive
Wild swimming is popular in Scotland and we can understand why. With so many locations to be found, there’s plenty for everyone.
Wild swimming at Loch Etive and along the road side when you drive down is very popular. We imagine it due to the beautiful location and easy ish access to the swimming spots.
You can swim in Loch Etive, it’s advisable to do your research and come prepared. You can swim at the head of the loch, around Cadderlie and Dail. We’ve seen you can also swim from the southwest side of Airds Bay.
Triple Falls on River Etive, there’s a series of three waterfalls which flows into Loch Etive. There’s a number of deep pools, perfect for swimming.
Make sure you do this safely, Lochs and waterfalls can be cold all year round.
Hillwalking around Loch Etive
Loch Etive offers a variety of great walks, with wilderness trails to explore from both the north and south shores. The south shore walk is particularly scenic, whether you head to Taynuilt or turn down Glen Kinglass towards Bridge of Orchy. Surrounding the loch is a treasure trove of Munros, starting with Ben Cruachan and Stob Daimh in the south, then Beinn a'Chochuill and Beinn Eunaich. North of these peaks, Ben Starav and Beinn nan Aighenan mark the beginning of a range that climbs to Creise near the Glencoe Ski Centre. Glen Etive is flanked by the southern Glencoe Munros and the Buachaille. Beinn Sgulaird and Beinn Fhionnlaidh stand guard over the western shore of the loch.
If you're looking for more structured walks and maps, be sure to check out apps and websites like AllTrails and Komoot.
Boating
It’s a huge Loch with stunning scenery, perfect to explore by boat. Unless you have your own on hand you can try a tour with Etive Boat Trips. You can hop on a tour from Dunstaffnage. You can also book a fishing trips with them.
Fishing on Loch Etive
Loch Etive is a great fishing spot. But what fish are in Loch Etive you ask? It’s known for lots of different species. Some of the fish that can be caught are:
- Pollack
- Spurdog
- Salmon
- Trout
- Mackerel
- Cod
We’ve read that people have caught all sorts on Loch Etive. So if you love fishing grab your rod and head on out.
Some of the best spots are from Bonawe and the upper Loch. If you can hire a boat or have a fishing kayak you can around Archattan and Airds Point in the lower Loch.
Birdwatching at Loch Etive
As you can imagine there are, a lot of bird-watching opportunities at Loch Etive. Just in the time we were there we saw a lot. One of our highlights was seeing an Owl and lots of other species of birds.
We’ve heard you can see white-tailed eagles and Golden Eagles. We felt like we saw eagles but they were so high we couldn’t be sure. Need to get some binoculars :).
Make sure you keep your eye peeled when visiting Loch Etive as you could miss some incredible looking birds.
Dolphins
If you’re lucky you can spot dolphins in Loch Etive. From our research, they’re generally seen near boats on the water. You can also spot common seals. I can’t say we spotted either of these lol. We’ve seen seals plenty of times in Scotland but never seen dolphins. One day hey! They’re one of our favourite animals!
What To Pack for Loch Etive
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