Attractions and Places To See around Furnace - Top 20

The Furnace area is rich in natural beauty. You can visit Loch Fyne, a stunning sea loch known for its scenic views and diverse wildlife, including dolphins, seals, and otters. The loch is also connected to the Sound of Jura by the Crinan Canal. Additionally, the Glenbranter Valley, part of Argyll Forest Park, offers a spellbinding landscape of glens and rivers with numerous trails.

Yes, the region boasts several significant historical and cultural sites. Explore Inveraray, an 18th-century new town with notable architecture like the Inveraray Inn and Town House. Nearby, Inveraray Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Argyll, features beautiful gardens and grazing Highland cattle. You can also visit the Auchindrain Township Open Air Museum, which showcases Scotland's rural life, and Kilmartin Glen, an archaeological landscape with ancient monuments.

Families can enjoy exploring the landscaped gardens of Inveraray Castle, where children might spot Highland cattle. The Loch Fyne area is suitable for gentle walks and wildlife spotting. The Glenbranter Valley within Argyll Forest Park offers various trails, including the Lauder Walks, which are suitable for different activity levels.

For breathtaking panoramic views, hike up to the Dun na Cuaiche Watchtower. This 18th-century watchtower offers stunning vistas over Loch Fyne and the surrounding Argyll landscape, with the Arrochar Alps visible to the east. The walk is steep but rewarding.

Yes, there are numerous hiking opportunities. The ascent to Dun na Cuaiche Watchtower is a popular, albeit steep, walk offering great views. The Glenbranter Valley in Argyll Forest Park also provides a variety of trails, from leisurely strolls to more challenging hikes, including the scenic Lauder Walks. For more options, you can explore the running trails around Furnace, which include routes like the Inveraray Castle gate to Dun Na Cuaiche watchtower.

The Furnace area offers several cycling routes for various skill levels. You can find routes like the Loch Awe & Falls of Avich loop, the Loch Eck loop via Benmore Botanic Gardens, and the Glen Shira Loop. There's also a moderate Loch Fyne loop from Inveraray. For more details, check out the Cycling around Furnace guide.

Absolutely. The region provides a good selection of mountain biking trails. Options include the Loch Eck and Benmore Botanic Garden loop, the Leacainn Forest Drive Loop, and the Strachur and River Cur loop. More challenging routes like the Loch Eck – Curra Lochain loop from Glenbranter are also available. Discover these and more in the MTB Trails around Furnace guide.

Inveraray is an 18th-century new town in Scotland, meticulously rebuilt between 1772 and 1800. It's considered one of the best examples of an 18th-century new town in Scotland due to its architectural significance. Key buildings include the Inveraray Inn and the Town House. The town also features the historic Inveraray Jail, which is now a privately owned tourist attraction re-enacting 19th-century trials and inmate life.

Yes, the area features beautiful gardens. Inveraray Castle boasts beautifully landscaped gardens that are open to visitors. Additionally, Crarae Gardens, a nearby stately home and garden attraction, offers another option for garden enthusiasts.

Loch Fyne is home to a variety of marine life. Visitors often spot dolphins, seals, and otters. During the summer months, basking sharks can occasionally appear in its waters, making it a great spot for wildlife observation.

The Crinan Canal is a 9-mile waterway located near Furnace, connecting Loch Fyne to the Sound of Jura. It is renowned for its scenic beauty and is popular for cycling, sailing, and canal cruises, offering a different perspective of the area's waterways.

The Argyll Forest Park is a stunning natural area that includes the Glenbranter Valley. It's characterized by craggy peaks, serene glens, sea lochs, and rivers. The park offers numerous trails for various hiking levels, including the notable Lauder Walks with their mature hardwoods and rhododendrons, making it a prime location for outdoor activities.