Bridge over Loch Awe

Loch Awe, Scotland. 24-09-2010. (Taken from Kilchurn Castle.) My mum and her sisters grew up in the village of Lochawe.

Loch Awe (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Obha) is a large body of water in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It has also given its name to a village on its banks, variously known as Loch Awe, or Lochawe.

It is the third largest freshwater loch in Scotland with a surface area of 14.9 square miles. It is the longest freshwater loch in Scotland, measuring 25.47 miles from end to end with an average width of 0.62 miles.

Loch Awe is the site of two hydroelectric projects. One is a conventional turbine power station, created by damming the River Awe in the Pass of Brander, feeding the water through underground pipes, and generating electricity as it flows into Loch Etive.

The second is a more unusual pumped storage project, using a man-made loch in the hills above the loch; water is pumped up during times of surplus power, and used to power generators at times of peak demand. The second project, known as Cruachan Dam from the name of the hill above, has a visitor centre, which includes tours into the heart of the mountain.

It was from Loch Awe and surrounding area that Clan Campbell established itself as a powerful family. In 1308, Robert the Bruce defeated the Clan MacDougall at the Battle of the Pass of Brander downstream from the loch.

Revisited 23-01-2011 [link]
Revisited 05/04.2013 [link]