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A Captivating Architectural Marvel on the Shore of Loch Awe – OUR CROSSINGS
Last Updated on the 3rd of June, 2025
Loch Awe is Scotland’s third largest freshwater loch, stretching 22 marvellous miles through the wild and wonderful Highland landscape.
It’s a sight to behold as you travel along its curving shore towards Oban, catching glimpses of shifting sunbeams that sweep across the wide, shimmering lake.
If you look closely, you’ll see a heavily wooded island linked to the mainland by a bridge. It’s called Innis Chonnel.
The island was purchased by Walter J. Douglas Campbell, brother of the 1st Lord Blythswood, who designed and built a stately mansion-house where he settled with his sister Helen and their elderly mother.
Apparently, his mother found the carriage ride to the local church too tiring and taxing, therefore, Douglas decided to build a church for her on the lake shores.
Today the church is known as St. Conan’s Kirk.
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St Conans Kirk – A Hidden Gem on the Shores of Loch Awe
Last summer, as we travelled from Loch Lomond to Glencoe, we made a detour to the stunning Kirk and I couldn’t be happier with the short yet quite memorable visit.
Over the years, we’ve driven past the church many times before, eventually finding an opportunity to enter.
The rain was drizzling down on a very quick visit, and we were almost the only visitors who braved the unpredictable Scottish weather for a quick peep.
I could have spent hours here, even with the rain, as it is not another lovely old medieval church. Instead, it is a unique feat of imagination, highly decorated, inside and out, with fanciful architectural flourishes, statues, tombs and towers.
The level of detail is astonishing – it keeps us well-occupied finding all the little quirks and whimsies.
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A Short History of St. Conan’s Kirk
St Conan’s Kirk was designed and built in the late 19th century by Walter Douglas Campbell.
As a skilled woodcarver, architect and keen collector of objets d’art, Campbell started work on a small cruciform church in 1881.
Five years later, the church was completed, but it was not long before Walter proceeded to create something far more elaborate.
In 1907, he began a much larger, more ornate building and entirely rebuilt the earlier structure, devoting the rest of his life to its execution until he died in 1914.
After that, his sister Helen continued developing the structure until her demise in 1927, but it was not until 1930 that the building was finally consecrated.
Currently, Kirk is under a trust that seeks to maintain the structure to its full glory.
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Reasons to visit St. Conan’s Kirk
St Conan’s Kirk is unexpectedly grandiose and embellished for its setting in such a small and isolated settlement.
Clinging to a steep cliffside, the church itself is quite remarkable in ambience and design, oozing a powerful aura of peace and spirituality and making for the perfect stop along your Scottish road trip.
The interior is filled with light and deep shadows, and once you step outside, you are greeted by stunning views of Loch Awe.
There are also lush lochside gardens to stroll around, and a welcoming tearoom next door serving homemade scones.
*Fun Fact – it is said that Campbell deliberately included examples of every type of church architecture found in Scotland.
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Highlights and Unique Features
It is hard to sum up the style of St Conan’s Kirk; it is unlike any other church I’ve visited.
While the Kirk is heavy on Romanesque style, other parts of the church just don’t fit any category at all.
As you meander around the church, you’ll find that it also features the Saxon tower, a stone circle, art carvings, the Celtic cross, ten Gothic flying buttresses and a Norman entrance.
Some of the highlights within the church:
- The south wall of the Bruce Chapel contains a window from St Mary’s church in South Leith
- The heavy oak beams were seized from two famous old battleships, the Duke of Wellington and the Caledonia.
- A beautiful tomb featuring the recumbent image of Campbell, his head resting on a pillow carved by the sculptor Carrick
- Bruce Chapel contains a bell made for the Skerryvore Lighthouse in 1843.
- King Robert Bruce‘s ossuary and stones from Iona Abbey
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Things To Know Before You Go
While the church is open throughout the year, please check the calendar for upcoming events as it is quite a popular place for weddings and renewal of vows.
- Location in Argyll: Saint Conan’s Road, A85, Loch Awe, Dalmally, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Opening Hours: Summer (April to September) 9am – 6pm, Winter (October to March) 9am – 5pm.
- Church Service: Actual church services are rare, but the building’s interior and gardens are usually open
- Entrance by Donation: Visitors and their donations are vital to ensure the church’s survival.
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Things To See and Do Nearby
The region of Argyll and Bute is still fairly undiscovered yet offers so much, from soaring mountains to quaint villages tucked around the lake’s sweeping shoreline.
There are glens and mountains with rewarding hikes and stunning vistas. You can catch glimpses of wildlife: red deer roam gorse-plastered hillsides around the loch, and Ospreys and Golden Eagles hover above the mountain tops.
You can go fishing, book a table at one of the cosy restaurants hidden inside inns and relax by the roaring fireplace or visit Kilchurn Castle, said to be the most photographed castle in Scotland.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re passing through or spending a few days exploring Loch Awe, you’ll be smitten by the alluringly tranquil setting of the lake and the friendliness of the locals.
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Kilchurn Castle: A Historic Jewel on the Banks of Loch Awe
If you are visiting Saint Conas Kirk, you cannot leave the lake shores without catching a glimpse of the famous Kilchurn Castle, which is located a stone’s throw away.
The ancient ruin, with its imposing walls and weathered stones, stands as a striking testament to Scotland’s rich history.
Built in the 15th century, the castle played a significant role in the region’s history and witnessed the struggles of Scottish clans, the ebb and flow of power, and the societal changes that shaped the nation.
As different clans sought dominance and control in the region, the castle exchanged hands multiple times. Over the years, it endured sieges, attacks, and the ravages of time, yet its crumbling ruins still evoke a sense of grandeur and resilience.
We found Kilchurn Castle to be a wonderful addition to our itinerary, especially as we found several highland cows roaming near the castle, which makes it a great spot to have more of an authentic Scottish experience!
- Getting There: The castle is located at the northeast end of Loch Awe, 2.5 miles west of Dalmally off the A85.
*Good To Know – there is no vehicular access to the castle, and you have to cross over agricultural land to reach the lake shores.
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Where To Stay Near the Kirk
Loch Awe has no shortage of amazing accommodation ranges – there are cosy inns, wooden chalets and boutique hotels.
Some hotels are situated right on the lake shores, while others are further inland. As it is a fairly remote area, some of the hotels have their own restaurants.
If you plan on spending more than a day in the area to soak in the spectacular scenery, alluringly tranquil setting and lesser-known Munros, you can spend a night in one of the unique hotels dotted around the lake shore.
Here are some of the accommodations you can choose from:
- The Ben Cruachan Inn | offering stunning views over the lake, the Ben Cruachan Inn has a bar, restaurant and an outdoor terrace.
- Loch Awe Cabins | A hidden gem in the middle of the forest, Loch Awe Cabins are perfect for a quiet retreat. The wooden houses are well equipped with everything you might need for a relaxing weekend break, including a wood stove and a hot tub.
- The Kilchrenan Inn | What was once an 18th-century trading post is beautifully refurbished and cosy. You’ll find that bedrooms at the Kilchrenan Inn have Hypnos beds and mattresses, and the hotel boasts an excellent food menu and a welcoming bar.
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Getting To St. Conans Kirk
Located in the village of Loch Awe, on the A85 between Dalmally and Oban, St. Conans Kirk is easily accessible from different locations.
The closest city to Kirk is Glasgow, located only 1 1-hour and 50 minutes away.
Arriving From Glasgow By Public Transport – If you don’t feel like driving, then look at Scottish Citylink, which operates a bus from Buchanan Bus Station to St Conans Road junction 3 times a day. Tickets cost €21–30 and the journey takes 2h 22m.
Alternatively, ScotRail operates a train from Glasgow Queen Street to Loch Awe twice daily. Tickets cost €24–55 and the journey takes 2h 25m.
- By Car – if you are travelling by car, it takes 30 minutes to reach it from Oban, an hour and a half from Fort William and around 2 and a half hours if you are travelling from Edinburgh.
- By Bus – it is also possible to reach the Kirk by public transport. The following transport lines have routes that pass near St Conan’s Kirk: 266, 975, 976, 978, and 403.
- By Train – you can also arrive by train operated by ScotRail from Oban Railway Station, from Fort William and from Glasgow.
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Now, over to you!
Have you ever been to St. Conans Kirk? Let us know in the comments!
Let us know if you are planning a visit to St. Conans Kirk or Scotland and have travel-related questions!
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