LOCH GOIL

The surroundings of Loch Goil, which is an arm of Loch Long, and which forms part of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, is reminiscent of the landscape around the Norwegian fjords.  The loch is used for exercises by Trident submarines based at Faslane.  On the west shore of the loch is Carrick Castle, a tower house on a site originating in Viking times, which has undergone a couple of reincarnations since.  The castle was the scene of dramatic action in 1307 when Robert The Bruce drove out the English magnate Henry Percy.  In the 16th century it was visited by Mary Queen of Scots.  Later, the castle suffered severe losses after being bombarded by HMS Kingfisher during the rebellion by Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll.  The castle is a ruin, but is undergoing restoration.  At the head of Loch Goil is Lochgoilhead, which offers a holiday village, a caravan and camping site and an outdoor centre.  Like Dunoon, Lochgoilhead grew up thanks to the steamer services from Glasgow.  However, these no longer run, so that the village is now mainly accessible by road.  From Lochgoilhead a path leads to Rob Roy's Cave, where the 18th century rebel is reputed to have hid.

Map of the area. 

Carrick Castle. Photo by Sarah Charlesworth, via Wikimedia Commons