Carrick Castle, Loch Goil

Where is Carrick Castle?

Whenever I post a photograph of Carrick Castle, I am always asked where it is within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. Usually, people haven’t heard of it before, it is definitely one of my favourite places in the National Park and well worth the long drive to get to it.

Getting to Carrick Castle

It’s a scenic location and one of the most remote spots in the National Park. If you’re coming from Glasgow/Loch Lomond, head across The Rest & Be Thankful and then turn left just after the main viewpoint car park, following signs for Lochgoilhead. Alternatively, coming from Dunoon and The Cowal Peninsula, follow the signs for Lochgoilhead from the A815.

The 6-mile single-track road will take you into Lochgoilhead, where you will find Carrick Castle signed. To get there, it’s a further 5 miles along another single track road. Residents and visitors are served by a bus service three times a day, which is a luxury, as there was a time in the last century when the only way to access the community was by boat.

 

Carrick Castle History

This small community, named after its imposing and dramatic lochside castle, is at a beautiful spot on Loch Goil, not far from where it connects with Loch Long. 

The Campbells of Loch Awe built the earliest sections in the late 14th century, with the castle a vital staging post for journeys between the Clyde and Loch Fyne. Mary Queen of Scots spent a night at the castle in 1563. Now in private ownership, scaffolding has been present around the castles exterior walls for some time.

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Carrick Castle Walks

There are several walks from Carrick Castle, including one to Ardentinny, which is 6 miles away. Carrick Castle is the end of the road, so by boat or foot are your only options for going towards the mouth of Loch Goil.

If you plan to walk around Loch Goil, I recommend a book by Leonard Gow which describes 21 scenic Loch Goil trails. The book is sold around at various outlets around Loch Goil and costs £5.

Loch Goil

We have written some other guides to Loch Goil, with nearby places to visit, including Cormonachan Woodlands and Lochgoilhead. You could choose to visit Carrick Castle by boat to read more information and pay for mooring by the Carrick Castle Boat Club website. Along the road to Carrick Castle from Lochgoilhead, you will find Loch Goil Cruisers, with self-drive motorboats available for hire by the hour. Carrick Castle is also an excellent location to launch a kayak or canoe. Try Loch Goil Kayak Hire at Carrick Farm if you need to rent one. 

The community hosted an event on the grass by the castle on a recent visit. Every village will have an annual fete or fair, but there won’t be many better views than the one at Carrick Castle during their village fete! We close with a drone photograph that I captured recently.

Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

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