Ben Cruachan Inn, Lochawe
Overview
Ben Cruachan Inn sits in the village of Lochawe, overlooking Loch Awe at the foot of Ben Cruachan. Combining comfortable accommodation with an award-winning restaurant and a welcoming bar, it makes an appealing base for exploring the lochs, mountains and historic sights of Argyll.
Choose a standard double room for two or a larger one-bedroom garden suite accommodating up to three guests. Up to two pets are welcome, making this a practical choice for a break with your cat.
The Property
Standard rooms are in the main inn building and have a double bed and an en-suite bathroom. For more space, the adjacent garden suites offer a separate bedroom with a double bed, a sofa bed in the living area, a kitchenette and a lounge/dining area. Their outdoor decks overlook Loch Awe, giving you somewhere to sit and enjoy the scenery.
Rooms and suites include a flat-screen television, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities, a hairdryer, towels and toiletries. Bathrooms have showers.
The restaurant serves seasonal dishes made with local and Scottish produce, with vegetarian and vegan options. The bar offers Scottish craft beers, whiskies and gins, alongside coffee and alcohol-free choices. A shared fireplace creates a cosy setting indoors, while the terrace and beer garden offer outdoor seating.
Breakfast is available at an additional charge, subject to seasonal kitchen opening times. Booking ahead for dinner is recommended, and bar and restaurant hours vary throughout the year.
Free on-site parking is available, along with an electric vehicle charging point.
For the Cat
Cats are welcome, with up to two pets permitted in total. The pet charge is £15 per pet, per night, and food and water bowls are available. Let the inn know in advance that you will be bringing your cat.
Accessibility
Selected accommodation is suitable for guests with reduced mobility. An accessible bedroom has a roll-in wet room, lowered switches and electric windows and blinds. There is also a ground-floor accessible self-catering apartment reached by a ramp, with space for wheelchair users to move around.
Accessible parking and wheelchair access ramps are available. Contact the inn before booking to arrange accommodation suited to your requirements.
Location
Lochawe offers a scenic setting for a break centred on the outdoors, with the waters of Loch Awe and the surrounding mountains shaping the landscape. Loch Awe railway station is approximately a two-minute walk from the inn, making arrival by train a convenient option.
Nearby St Conan’s Kirk is an interesting stop for its distinctive architecture and lochside gardens. Kilchurn Castle, at the head of the loch, provides another striking historic landmark and a rewarding subject for photography.
For more active days, the area offers walking, cycling and opportunities to explore the loch by kayak or canoe. Ben Cruachan and the Cruachan Horseshoe are options for experienced hillwalkers seeking a demanding mountain day. The Hollow Mountain visitor centre introduces the hydroelectric power station beneath Ben Cruachan, while the dam and reservoir provide further walking possibilities.
The inn is also a useful base for excursions to Oban or Inveraray, combining a quieter village stay with days exploring more of Argyll.
