Our Glen is peaceful, quiet and feels incredibly remote but also has the advantage of being very central to many places. We are only 20 minutes from Glen Coe and within an hour you can drive to Oban, Fort William, Inveraray, Kenmore through Killin and to Callander. This gives you so many different options of places to see and visit. Not only that but we are only an hour and 20 minutes from Glasgow airport so no need to drive far to find your cosy base in the highlands.
We are lucky to be located in a Glen that is remote and quiet yet close to so many amazing places to discover. Whether you want to stay close by or explore further afield there is so many options of places to visit and things to do. We’ve provided some ideas below but if there is anything in particular you are interested in then please feel free to email us and if we will try to point you in the right direction.
Make the most of the great outdoors with our beautiful scenery and fresh air here at Glen Orchy.
Depending on your preference there are lots of options for biking. There are Downhill mountain biking and bike parks at Glen Coe, Fort William, Comrie Croft and the secret trails of Balquhidder. There are lots of options for natural cross country trails or quiet road/forest tracks to explore by bike - all within an hours drive from Glen Orchy Cabins. There are bikes to hire in Fort William, Oban, Comrie, Balquhidder or even explore the Isle of Luing by their hire bikes.
With 103 Munros and 66 corbetts within a 30 mile radius of the farm there are plenty of mountains to conquer. If you prefer easier hills or lower level walks there are also loads of different walks to discover. You can join these up with a scenic drive and picnic or find one of the many cafes to enjoy some yummy cakes and coffees.
We have also set up some local geocaches on our local walks for you all to find using the geocaching app - we are known as #glenorchyrocks This will help you find some of the local treasures.
The River Orchy, River Lochy, River Etive and the River Connel are all renowned white water kayaking rivers - all within 30 minutes drive from Glen Orchy Cabins. If its not an adrenaline rush you are after then Loch Awe, Loch Lomond, Loch Tay, Loch Earn, Loch Leven, Loch Linnie and the small lochs on Rannoch moor are all beautiful lochs to explore by touring kayak, open canoe, paddle boarding or wild swimming. The lochs all have some history attached to them, with Crannogs and Castles or natural hidden islands.
You can rent kayaks, canoes and paddle boards at different locations to help you explore the local lochs or book a trip out with one of the local companies to learn more about the area. Sea Kayaking tours/hire is also available in Oban and Fort William.
Wild Swimming has grown exponentially during the last couple of years - there are so many places to discover and the water here is so fresh and invigorating. Make an adventure by taking the Corran ferry and finding the Kettle holes or explore the local rivers to find some special pools. Fiona loves her swimming and can often be found in the Orchy.
What to say - if you love fishing then you’ve come to the right place! You can see the River Orchy from your bed. Permits can be found for the river by following this link. There are also options for fishing the lochs or sea linked here. Or just sit at the falls in Glen Orchy after some rain and watch the salmon jump.
Glencoe Mountain Resort: 16 miles | 28 mins away
Nevis Range Mountain Resort: 50 miles | 1 hr 20 mins away
Two of the best ski resorts in Scotland are within an hours drive from the Glen. Skiing and Snowboarding at Glencoe and Fort William during the winter months is epic. There are also plenty places for ski tourers and a few cross country skiing days run at Glen Coe.
If you’re a winter climber then you’ll know Glen Orchy and our pigs well! Beinn Udlaidh the Corbett directly behind the farm is known for one of the easiest assessable winter climbs in Scotland. The Corrie that runs with water during the summer ices up during the winter to produce some classic winter climbs. The local area has many winter climbing corries to keep you crazy people entertained.
The hills in winter here are spectacular - not for the faint hearted but the views on a winters day are heart stopping.
There are so many historical buildings and castles to discover in the area. We have mentioned some of them below. Some of these can be visited on a round trip taking in the spectacular Glen Coe and a few of the Castles/historical buildings. Others can be seen on a trip to Oban which could be followed by a necessary trip to the Chocolate Shop for the best waffles and coffee ever!
10 miles | 20 mins away
Kilchurn Castle was built in the mid-1400s, and it remained the base of the mighty Campbells of Glenorchy for 150 years. After the first Jacobite Rising of 1689, Kilchurn was converted into a garrison stronghold, but was abandoned by the end of the 1700s. Find out more here.
43 miles | 1 hour away
A picturesque castle surrounded by water located 25 miles north of Oban on the west coast of Scotland. Find out more here.
30 miles | 1 hour away
Inspired by the Colosseum in Rome, McCaigs Tower is a magnificent folly that sits above Oban on the summit of Battery Hill. Find out more here.
25 miles | 45 mins away
Inveraray Castle is a country house near Inveraray in the county of Argyll, in western Scotland, on the shore of Loch Fyne, Scotland's longest sea loch. Find out more here.
23 miles | 45 mins away
The village of Lochawe lies at the end of Loch Awe approximately 3 miles west of Dalmally. In addition to the Scottish baronian-style St Conan’s Kirk built in 1883, it has a railway station and streamer pier. To the west of the town lies Cruchan Hydro Power Station. Find out more here.
28 miles | 45 mins away
Glen Coe is one of the most iconic Glens in Scotland, with its dramatic scenery and haunting history it is definitely worth spending sometime exploring the area. Find out more here.
50 miles | 1 hr 20 mins away
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park is one of the two national parks in Scotland. It covers a vast area just to the south of us and it is definitely worth exploring. Find out more here.
45 miles | 1 hr 12 mins away
Ben Nevis is the king of them all. In the north west Highlands, near the town of Fort William and part of the Grampian Mountain range, the famous peak attracts 125k walkers a year. Find out more here.
37 miles | 1 hour away
Loch Tay is a magnificent dark stretch of water, it’s the largest loch in Perthshire and one of the deepest in Scotland. To the north, the loch is flanked by the impressive bulk of the Ben Lawers mountain range, much of which is designated as a National Nature Reserve. Find out more here.
There are so many options for things to do here - here are some of our top picks...
16 miles | 28 mins away
Tubing at Glencoe Mountain Resort is so much fun! Take the ski lift up the mountain and do their wee treasure hunt on the platetu - a chance to get high without exerting too much energy. Find out more here.
50 miles | 1hr 50 mins away
Visit Lismore for a historical tour by Land Rover followed by Scottish picnic or paddle boarding experiences around the island! Find out more here.
30 miles | 50 mins away
Go on a maritime adventure! Take a boat trip up Loch Etive and around the Firth of Lorn, departing from Dunstaffnage Marina. On any of the you're sure to see some wildlife, including seals, otters, porpoise, sea eagles and if your very lucky even dolphins! Find out more here.
26 miles | 50 mins away
Argyll Adventure have various horse riding activities for children and adults ranging from beach rides to scenic treks. They also have zombie-themed indoor and outdoor laser tag and crossbow shooting. Find out more here.
32 miles | 1 hour away
Staffa Tours operate daily boat tours from Oban travelling to Tobermory, Mull, Iona, Staffa and the Treshnish Isles. Find out more here.
34 miles | 1 hour away
There are 20 gardens varying in size, style and maturity, dating from the 13th to the 20th century. Spread throughout the mainland of Argyll, often in dramatic scenery, and to the islands of Bute, Gigha, and Seil. Find out more here.
Closed tour: Inveraray 25 miles | 40 mins away
West Highland Wildlife Tours is your chance to explore beautiful hidden locations of Argylls finest scenery and wildlife. Find out more here.
58 miles | 1hr 40 mins away
With over 2,000 acres to play on Quadmania guarantee an exhilarating outdoor adventure in Scotland at any time of the year. Choose from quad biking, archery, clay pigeon shooting and more. Find out more here.
40 miles | 1 hour away
Welcome to the wonderful world of faeries and trolls! An enormous, award winning woodland full of family adventure. Find out more here.
For days when bad weather stops your outdoor adventures you can either sit and enjoy your cosy log fire or get out and explore some the other indoor options. The scenery on the way will make any trip worthwhile.
45 miles | 1 hr 12 mins away
Described as the greatest railway journey in the world, this 84 mile round trip takes you past a list of impressive extremes. You'll also travel over the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct (a location made famous in the Harry Potter films). Find out more here.
43 miles | 1 hour away
If you like exercising your brain try escaping The Room Challenge in Fort William. The Room Challenge is an immersive puzzle experience based in the High Street of Fort William. Find out more here.
35 miles | 1 hour away
Ice Factor is ranked in the top 3 adventure activities in the Highlands, not to mention one of the top 10 things to do. With a wide range of indoor & outdoor activities to ensure that you are entertained whatever the weather. Find out more here.
32 miles | 1 hour away
Visit and take a tour around Oban distillery - one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, having been established in 1794. It is especially unusual for being one of the smallest scotch, and last surviving, urban distilleries. Find out more here.
15 miles | 35 mins away
Head west towards Oban and have a guided tour inside the Cruachan Power Station Mountain - climb up to the dam to see one of the locations used in the latest Star Wars Film and have tea and scones at their scenic cafe afterwards. Find out more here.
25 miles | 45 mins away
Step through the doors pf Inveraray Jail and step back in time to a 19th century prison. Experience what real life was like for real men, women and children – some as young as seven – who were tried and locked up there. Find out more here.
If you want to make your holiday extra special and make some memories then we’d recommend some of the following options.
33 miles | 1 hour away
Create memories that last a lifetime with a flight tour across the Scottish landscape to the Highlands and Islands. Find out more here.
45 miles | 1 hr 35 mins away
Loch Visions offer a range of award-winning wildlife photography workshops, experiences and tours. Find out more here.
32 miles | 1 hour away
Basking Shark Scotland offer a range of swimming tours, trips and experiences including scuba driving, underwater photography and the opportunity to dive with spurdog sharks! Find out more here.
32 miles | 47 mins away
The Gin and Rum School offers experiences at their distillery near Fort William and Glencoe - distil your very own bottle of gin or rum! Find out more here.
28 miles | 1 hour away
Kintail Birds of Prey, near Argyll, offers hands on falconry experiences flying Scottish Birds of Prey. Find out more here.
32 miles | 1 hour away
Highland Glass, a dedicated family run business based in Oban, offer fused glass and ceramic workshops. Find out more here.
15 miles | 30 mins away
Make friends with the local highland cattle at Claddich. Find out more here.
8 miles | 20 mins away
Heartfelt Studio is a hub of historical Scottish traditional skills such as weaving, spinning and dyeing. They offer textile tuition and workshops. Find out more here.
32 miles | 1 hour away
With stunning views over Ben Nevis, stop in for a day of factory tours, shopping and soap-making workshops – or just a delicious homemade coffee and cake. Find out more here.
We are so lucky in Glen Orchy, hidden under the trees and in the mountains and river is a whole host of animals and birds waiting to be seen. If you drive slowly through the Glen at dawn or dusk you will have a chance of spotting our resident badgers snuffling along the road side. The pine martens can be seen jumping along the bridge on their way to who knows where, the otter has been seen swimming in the falls above the farm looking for his lunch. There are resident red squirrels who are quite shy but the feeding remains indicate that they are close by. Be careful driving down towards Dalmally as they often cross the road there.
There are Roe Deer and Red Deer who can be seen grazing in the fields especially during winter or climb the mountain and listen to the Stags roaring echoing through the Corrie, whilst you are there you can look out for the Mountain Hares.
We have Sea Eagles, Golden Eagles, Ospreys flying through the Glen - the Golden Eagles live here but the others are seen at certain times of the year. On the mountains you can listen to the peregrines call and watch the Merlins chase the sky larks or listen to the tune of the Golden Plover and Dotterels. One of my favourite birds is the Dipper who can be seen bobbing up and down on the river looking for his tea.
Further afield you can find the official Beavers of Knapdale (or some sneaky beavers who have made their home closer by) or head on a sea tour to see some of the amazing sea life just off the coast of Oban - seals, whales, dolphins, gannets and puffins to name a few.
Our cabins have been designed for the comfort of our guests, we want you to be able to relax and lose yourself in your surroundings in a warm and cosy environment. All our cabins have toasty wood burners, hot powerful showers and a mezzanine bedroom for a beautiful view of the Glen and the River Orchy. Come home to relax after a day in the fresh air, enjoy the dark skies at night and sit by our beautiful fire pit and make memories.
Find out more
