About  Lochgilphead

Like Inveraray, Lochgilphead is a planned town at the head of Loch Gilp, a branch of the longest sea loch in Scotland, Loch Fyne. The town was laid out in the late 18th Century alongside the road from Inveraray to Campbeltown, which became the A83.  The town’s importance grew after the opening of the Crinan Canal in 1801 and again after completion of a road to Oban in 1830. You can access the canal towpaths at Oakfield Bridge, just a couple of minutes’ walk from the centre of the town.

The picturesque setting and charming town centre has attracted many film-makers with scenes being filmed on Lochgilphead’s streets for movies including “633 Squadron” “From Russia With Love” and “Love You To Death” among others.

The architecture includes 18 listed buildings and a look on old maps from the 1800s reveals locations of a woollen mill, distillery and gas works among other sites.  Prominent Lochgilphead exports include the Argyll Turbo GT sports car which was constructed by Bob Henderson on Manse Brae, where it is still to be found today.

Lochgilphead is the administrative centre of mid-Argyll and, as well as a local hospital with A&E dept and the award winning MS Centre, the town offers the largest supermarket, two petrol stations and many opportunities for stocking up on local products. It has an array of independent shops (book shop, butchers, fishmongers and delicatessen), a selection of cafes and places for a light bite, two art and craft galleries plus a number of gift shops and a sweet shop.  

Crinan Cycles not only sells bikes and accessories for all ages, they also hire bikes by the day, half day or week and have a service/technical workshop and spares. Fyne Tackle caters for outdoor and country pursuits offering technical and all-weather clothing, fishing and field sport equipment and they also provide local fishing permits.

Facilities in the town include swimming pool, sports centre, bowling green, golf club and extensive and world famous mountain biking trails at nearby Achnabreac.  The town is home to Kilmory Camanachd shinty club and Red Star football club and nearby Achnashellach farm hosts motorcross events annually.

The local events calendar also includes the Mid Argyll Music Festival in (month required), Armed Forces Day in June, the Celtic and Pictish Festival and the Mid Argyll Agricultural Show both held in August, Firework and Lantern Display in November and lots more.

Lochgilphead has something to offer everybody and with two hotels and lots of other accommodation options, Lochgilphead is the perfect base from which to explore the area.