We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Loch Awe, Scotland, United Kingdom

Also known as:  Lake Awe

Scenic Loch Awe is located in central Scotland’s Argyll and Bute Council region. Renowned for its trout fishing, the lake is a fantastic holiday getaway for anglers and also offers numerous islands, castle ruins, and open water for paddling, boating and exploring. Kilchurn Castle, one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, sits on an island at the northeastern end of Loch Awe. Unspoiled, yet easily accessible,…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Loch Awe! Article topics include:

Looking for Loch Awe cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Loch Awe, Scotland

    Lake Locations: United Kingdom - Scotland, United Kingdom - Central Scotland -

    Scenic Loch Awe is located in central Scotland’s Argyll and Bute Council region. Renowned for its trout fishing, the lake is a fantastic holiday getaway for anglers and also offers numerous islands, castle ruins, and open water for paddling, boating and exploring. Kilchurn Castle, one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, sits on an island at the northeastern end of Loch Awe. Unspoiled, yet easily accessible, Loch Awe and the surrounding area have much to offer.

    Loch Awe, like many of the lakes in the area, is a natural freshwater lake formed by retreating West Highland glaciers nearly 10,000 years ago. As the glaciers moved across the land, an accumulation of rocks and debris at the southern end of what would become Loch Awe blocked all drainage of the route, and the pent-up water spilled along an old geological fault line through the Pass of Brander. To this day, Loch Awe drains from its northern end through the River Awe and Loch Etive to the Atlantic Ocean, rather than through its southern end and into Loch Crinan.

    With a length of just over 25 miles (41 km), Loch Awe is the longest freshwater lake in Scotland with a surface area of 9,514 acres (38.5 square km). A very narrow lake with an average width of 0.62 miles (1 km), it still manages to provide 80 miles (129 km) of shoreline for the development of charming villages, sprawling estates, and magnificent mansions.

    Fishing and boating are the main forms of recreation on Loch Awe. Fly fishing for brown trout is a common sight along the banks as well as trolling in the deep water for salmon. Salmon pass through the lake, making their way past the barrage in the River Awe and continuing on to the River Orchy. Rainbow trout escapees from fish farms in the area can also be found in the lake, but are considered a threat to the wild brown trout population, and not popular with local anglers. In 2002, a nearly 32 pound (11.94 kg) brown trout was caught in Lock Awe, setting a new British record. Char, perch, and pike also make their home in the lake. The current record for pike in Loch Awe stands at 35.5 lbs (13.3kg). Pike fishing is open year round and can provide some excellent winter fishing excitement. Boat rentals are available from marinas on the lake and allow visitors to spend an enjoyable day fishing or exploring Loch Awe`s castle ruins and fascinating islands. Many secluded beaches along the shoreline make an excellent spot for a picnic and a swim.

    Visitors to Loch Awe will find accommodations and vacation rentals of all kinds in the many villages and towns around the lake. Superb hotels, charming bed and and breakfasts, comfortable guesthouses and wonderful lakefront and lake view self-catering options in the form of holiday cottages, farm houses, flats, and chalets abound. Caravan, camping parks, and motor home rentals can also be found in the area.

    For the outdoor enthusiast, Loch Awe and the surrounding area offer hiking, cycling, climbing, pony trekking, shooting, golfing and wildlife watching opportunities. Bicycles can be rented from many of the larger villages. The castle ruins are a big attraction to the area. Four castles, including the famous Kilchurn Castle, dot the islands and shoreline. Kilchurn Castle was built around 1437 and is an absolute must visit. The castle sits on an island in the northeastern end of Loch Awe and can be visited in the summer months by boat or by a half mile (805 m) walk from a small park near the River Orchy.

    The villages around Loch Awe make a great base for touring the many rivers, lochs, mountains, glens and local attractions. Distillery tours; loch cruises; the gardens of Benmore, Arduaine and Crarae; the West Argyll Forest District; the Beinn Cruachan and Ben Lui mountains, the city of Oban – the seafood capital of Scotland and the gateway to the Isles where ferries sail to Mull, Iona, Staffa and Colonsay Invervary Castle and jail; Glencoe; Loch Tay; the village of Loch Awe (or Lochawe); and Kintyre are all within an easy drive. A scenic drive around the perimeter of Loch Awe provides for an unforgettable day.

    Loch Awe is also the site of two hydroelectric projects. A conventional turbine power station, created by damming the River Awe in the Pass of Brander, creates electricity as water flows through underground pipes on its way to Loch Etive. A second more unusual pumped storage project uses a man-made loch in the Cruachan mountains above Lock Awe. Water is pumped up the hill during times of surplus power and used to power generators at times of peak demand. The project is known as the Cruachan Hollow Mountain Power Station and has a visitor center which includes tours into the heart of the mountain.

    There are always plenty of things to see and do at Loch Awe, no matter what time of year you visit. Venture inside a hollow mountain, relax on the beach, cruise the tranquil water of the lake, play a round of golf, take a walk through the forest, or visit a beautiful garden. Loch Awe, may be famous for its great fishing, but non-anglers find the area to be paradise as well.

    Things to Do at Loch Awe

    These are some activities in the Loch Awe, Scotland area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Ruins

    What Kind of Fish Are in Loch Awe?

    Loch Awe has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Brown Trout
    • Char
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Rainbow Trout
    • Salmon
    • Trout
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Loch Awe

    If you’re considering a Loch Awe lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Loch Awe Vacation

    Our interactive Loch Awe lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Loch Awe Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Scottish Hydro-Electric

    Surface Area: 9,514 acres

    Shoreline Length: 80 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 119 feet

    Average Depth: 105 feet

    Maximum Depth: 307 feet

    Water Volume: 972,856 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1961

    Water Residence Time: 0.7 years

    Drainage Area: 324 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Oligotrophic

    Loch Awe Map

    More local lakes to explore in this area:

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Loch Fyne

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Loch Lomond

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Loch Tay

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Loch Awe Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Loch Awe news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Loch Awe forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Loch Awe photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Loch Awe article with your fellow LakeLubbers: