West Highland Way: Trailblazer Ochils and Campsie Fells

 Scottish Canals

Crinan Canal

West Highland Way - Map West Highland Way: Footprint Map


Photographs of Crinan Basin and Harbour in the West of Scotland

Crinan Village at the western end of the Canal

Crinan Village at the western end of the Canal

The Crinan Canal is between the villages of Crinan and Ardrishaig
 
in 
Argyll and Bute in the west of Scotland.

The 
canal opened in 1801 taking its name from Crinan Village.

It is approximately nine miles (14km ) long
and connects 
Loch Gilp at Ardrishaig
 
with the Sound of Jura at Crinan,
to provide a navigable route
between the 
Inner Hebrides and the River Clyde,




Lock 14 at Crinan Village

Lock 14 at Crinan Village






Crinan Village at the western end of the Canal

Crinan Village

at the western end of the Canal



Sea Lock at western end of the Crinan Canal

Sea Lock

at western end of the Crinan Canal




Boats at Crinan

Boats ( Puffers ) at Crinan

The Clyde puffer is a type of small coal-fired and single-masted cargo ship,

built mainly on the Forth and Clyde canal

which provided a vital supply link around the west coast and Hebrides of Scotland.


Built between 1856 and 1939,

these stumpy little steamboats achieved an almost mythical status 

thanks largely to the short stories Neil Munro wrote about the Vital Spark 






Boats at Crinan

Boats at Crinan





Puffer Vic 32 at Crinan

Puffer SL Vic 32 at Crinan

‘VIC 32’ ( Auld Reekie )

built by Dunston’s of Thorne
, Yorkshire in November 1943

Puffers were used as victualling tenders for the Royal Navy,

hence the designation "Vic"




Puffer Vic 32 at Crinan

Puffer SL Vic 32 at Crinan





Loch Crinan from Crinan Forest

Loch Crinan from Crinan Forest




Boats at Crinan Harbour

Boats at Crinan Harbour





Duntrune Castle at Crinan

Duntrune Castle at Crinan

A 12th century castle on the north side of Loch Crinan

 across from the village of Crinan.

It is thought to be the oldest continuously occupied castle on mainland Scotland.


The castle is a category B 
listed building





Duntrune Castle at Crinan

Duntrune Castle at Crinan

A 12th century castle on the north side of Loch Crinan

 
across from the village of 
Crinan.

It is thought to be the oldest continuously occupied castle on mainland Scotland.


The castle is a category B 
listed building





Map of Crinan Canal

Map of Crinan Canal

( Note: Click here or on above for large format copy )


Map of Crinan Canal

Map of Crinan Canal

( Note: Click here or on above for large format copy )



Route Map of Dounie Castle Walk

Route Map of Dounie Castle Walk




CASTLE DOUNIE WALK - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:-

Location: Castle Dounie, Argyll
Grade: Moderate forest walk
Distance: 4 miles / 7km
Time: 2-3 hours

This fine walk begins at Crinan Harbour, one of those places that makes most Scots think “never been there but perhaps one day". It should be on your wish-list because the whole area of Crinan and Knapdale is fascinating — geologically unusual and littered with ancient artefacts, standing stones, forts and duns. Castle Dounie, the focus of this walk, is an Iron Age fort that straddles a high ridge with sumptuous sea views across to ]ura and Scarba, two islands separated by the notorious Corryvreckan and its whirlpool. Crinan Harbour lies just west of the tiny village of Crinan where the eponymous canal empties out into Loch Crinan. There is a sizeable car park here, just beyond the first few houses as the road turns right into Crinan Harbour. From the car park return along the road, past the junction to a white cottage. In front of it a signposted waymarker points out the route, along a shingly foreshore for a short distance. Another sign indicates where the path leaves the shore and runs parallel to it for a while through a lovely grove of oak trees. Shortly after a wooden bench the path veers slightly left and begins to climb what appears to be a firebreak through the woods. There is another bench halfway up the hill which may offer a bit of relief. Enjoy your break, and the views that are now opening up, because you won’t see many more views for a while, and there’s more climbing to be done. At the top of the steep path turn right onto a forestry track and enjoy easier walking to another junction and bench. Turn left here and climb a little more gently now to another, narrower, path that runs off to the right. At last, away from broad forestry tracks and among native trees with views beginning to open out across Loch Crinan towards the sea. A narrow pass gains another rest stop. Not a wooden bench this time but a full-blown picnic table. Over a rise, and along a slight descent before reaching another junction. The descent route went to the right but, before that, climb to the castle viewpoint to reach the viewpoint by climbing through the ancient dun’s entrance. There are enough fortifications still in existence at Castle Dounie to give a pretty good idea of what it must have been like. It was a great spot to linger awhile in the sunshine. From the retaining walls gaze across the vast area of sea towards the island of Scarba. Away to the north the peaks of Cruachan stand proud, however the best of the view is to the north-west towards the high hills of Mull. What a spot. Begin the descent, back to the last path junction and steeply downhill to another junction with a forest track. Turn right onto the track and begin climbing again, a long haul up to another viewpoint and a wooden bench. Back on the path and continue climbing. Re-gain one of the benches passed earlier and then homeward bound - back to the top of the steep climb, down the grassy slopes of the steep climb to the bench by the shore and then the woodland path back to Crinan Harbour.

 Inveraray & Lochgilphead Gallery Photo Gallery

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Guide Books & Maps - Scotland:-


West Highland Way: Footprint MapWest Highland Way - Map West Highland Way - Map Western Scotland & the Western Isles OS Road Map Northern Scotland OS Road MapSouthern Scotland OS Road MapGlasgow Popular Hills - Map





  

Ochils and Campsie Fells

Glasgow Visitor Guide - Colin Baxter Itchy Insider's Guide to Glasgow Glasgow Footprint Pocket Guide Glasgow Insight Pocket Guide Glasgow Guide Pub Companion Glasgow Scotland's Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Rough Guide

Glasgow Insight Pocket GuideCollins Street Map of GlasgowGlasgow: Then & NowThey belonged to Glasgow Phillips Street Atlas of Glasgow & West Central Scotland Glasgow: The Photographic Atlas100 Hillwalks around Glasgow 50 Walks in Glasgow & SW Scotland

Visit Scotland - Touring Guide Scotland: Where to Stay - Hotels & Guest Houses Scotland: Where to Stay - Bed & Breakfast Rough Guide ScotlandScottish Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Lonely PlanetScotland's Highlands & Islands - Lonley Planet Great Glasgow StoriesGlasgow & Surroundings - Insight Guide

West Highland Way: Official GuideWest Highland Way: Rucksac ReadersWest Highland Way: TrailblazerThe West Highland WayWest Highland Way: Footprint MapWest Highland Way - Map West Highland Way - Map West Highland Way Wet Highland Way - Official Guide

Munro Almanac The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland The Munros: Scottish Mountaineering Club The Isle of Skye The Isle of Arran Wilderness Walks Ski Mountaineering in Scotland

More Wilderness Walks 50 Best Routes on Skye and Raasay Skye - W.A.PoucherMagic of the Munros Mountaineering in Scotland and Undiscovered Scotland by W.H.MurrayA Long Walk on the Isle of Skye

Classic Climbs - Central & Southern Highlands The Isle of Arran Lonely Planet, Walking in ScotlandPathfinder Guide: Skye and NW Highlands WalksPathfinder Guide: Fort William and Glen Coe Walks Rambler's Guide: Ben Nevis and Glen Coe50 Best Routes on Skye and Raasay - Chris Townsend










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