Lochgoilhead, as you might expect, lies at the head of Loch Goil which is a sea loch and leads down onto the Clyde estuary. The existence of the village owes its past to the days of the Clyde steamers when the inhabitants of Glasgow at the height of the industrial era would venture "doon the water" and enjoy the rural atmosphere and the clean air (ie smog free). Today Lochgoilhead is a very popular spot for campers, caravaners and self catering huts and chalets.
Lochgoilhead has recently acquired a fiddle workshop and in their own words "-- offers traditional music concerts, and arts, crafts and author events, not just to its own tiny Scottish west coast community, but also to residents and tourists across Cowal and Argyll".
The Fiddle Workshop's mission statement is, “to advance education, in particular by promoting the performance, learning, and appreciation of Scottish traditional fiddle music and its contemporary development; the understanding of its links with other cultural and artistic traditions, particularly those of song and dance; and to act as a conduit for these traditions.” sounds (excuse the pun) exciting.
The whole of this area abounds with walks and tracks for cyclists, as well as hills to climb or explore. The Loch, being a sea loch, offers access to many other areas for those with their own boats or hire boats. Also the sea fishing in this are is excellent. The waters are also sheltered because of the surrounding terrain, making it an ideal place for small dinghy sailing. If you are a keen diver, there are many places of interest, and you can catch your own dinner while you are there.
Lochgoilhead in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotland
