The monument on Dun na Cuaiche is a prominent landmark from Inveraray; it is a wonderful viewpoint and visiting it makes an excellent circular walk.
Summary
Good paths, muddy in places on the descent. The route includes a steep ascent and is incompletely waymarked.
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NN095093
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4.5km/2.75 miles
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Car park at Inveraray Castle
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Regular bus services to Inveraray a short distance from the start of the walk.
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1. There is a large car park at Inveraray Castle. This impressive stately home has been the seat of the Dukes of Argyll – chiefs of Clan Campbell – for nearly 200 years. Today it is a very popular tourist attraction. There are several walks starting from here; the most obvious objective is to make the ascent to the prominent monument on Dun na Cuaiche. Begin the walk along the tarmac lane that runs to the left from the far end of the car park. Soon the lane passes a monument. Dating from 1754 the monument commemorates the execution of seventeen Campbell leaders in 1685 by the Marquis of Atholl. Continue the walk by crossing the ornate Frew's bridge.
2. On the far side of the bridge a cross-roads of tracks is reached; there is also a path heading diagonally to the right into the woods. Take this path – the next section through the trees is delightfully carpeted with bluebells in the spring. Soon the path leads to a gate giving access to an open area and a track – continue straight across the track aiming for another gate ahead. Pass through this gate and follow its track into the woods once more. Soon it passes to the right of some old stone ruins – remains of a series of lime kilns. Ignore a waymarked path which doubles back to the right, and then further on continue straight ahead when another waymarked track curves to the right.
3. Ignore any turnings left and right until the track levels off; here take a well graded path forking off to the right that continues uphill. This passes the remains of a once-substantial stone wall in the woods before doubling back to the right and continuing uphill, once again passing through the wall. Eventually the path levels off and reaches a more open area – a saddle behind the summit of the hill. The path curves right and reaches a junction – turn right here to begin a detour to the summit of Dun na Cuaiche, zig-zagging uphill with fine views.
4. The monument stands on the open hilltop close to the site of an iron-age fort. Being close to the edge of a steep drop, the view is superb on a good day. Inveraray Castle is far below with the town nestled on the shores of the loch to its left, whilst Loch Fyne itself stretches away towards the horizon. After enjoying a well-earned rest return down the path to the junction on the saddle.
5. This time take the path to the right and descend into the woods on the other side of the hill. The path is muddy in one or two places, especially where it emerges onto a track. Turn right along the track for a short distance before a path by marker post 17 goes off downhill to the left. This path leads through some lovely woodland before reaching another track by a picnic bench.
6. Turn right along the track from the picnic bench. Ignore a track off to the right and continue closer to the river before emerging at the cross-roads reached early in the walk. Turn left here to cross back over Frew's bridge and return to the start. If you visit Inveraray after completing the walk there is good view of the hill and the monument from the war memorial on Front Street.
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