Dalavich: Oakwood Trail and History

Dalavich combines an old, natural oak woodland with local history and landscapes of woodland and water. The Oakwood Trail runs through ancient Atlantic oakwoods; historical traces range from the former production of charcoal to early medieval gravestones. There are also sweeping views over Loch Awe and a waterfront area with open broadleaf woodland. If you are looking for a hotel in Dalavich, these themes can help you get a sense of the destination: nature, historical remains and different waterside landscapes sit side by side.

Oak Woodland and the Oakwood Trail

The Oakwood Trail runs through Dalavich’s ancient Atlantic oakwoods; the old, natural oak woodland is part of the Caledonian Forest Reserve. The history of the forest is tangible, too: hundreds of years ago, it was used to make charcoal. This history of use adds a historical dimension to the nature theme: the wood was not only part of the landscape but also had a specific former use. Birds and squirrels can be heard in the forest, gathering seeds and berries for their young. The trees, former charcoal production and the sounds of the animals offer different points of interest: landscape, history and animal behaviour.

Views over Loch Awe and Waterfalls on the River Avich

The Oakwood Trail offers sweeping views over Loch Awe. The trail description therefore brings together two landscape impressions: the path through the ancient oakwoods and views across the loch. Near Dalavich, the River Avich forms a series of waterfalls stretching for a mile between Loch Avich and Loch Awe. The views from the trail and the sequence of waterfalls on the River Avich are two different ways to experience the water: a broad view over Loch Awe and a series of falls along the river between the lochs.

Church and Historical Gravestones

Dalavich Church dates from around 1770. Dalavich Kirk has round-arched windows and a round-arched doorway. An approximate construction date and specific architectural features offer different clues to the area’s history. Dalavich also has historically interesting gravestones, including early medieval stone slabs with incised crosses. The periods they represent differ significantly: in historical terms, the church, with its approximate construction date, is followed by much older gravestone remains from the early medieval period.

Waterfront with Open Broadleaf Woodland

The waterfront in Dalavich includes open broadleaf woodland and a boathouse. Compared with the old, natural oak woodland that the Oakwood Trail runs through, this is a different woodland and waterside setting: here, the defining features are the waterfront, open broadleaf woodland and boathouse; the trail focuses on the ancient oaks and its route through the forest. This helps distinguish the open broadleaf woodland by the water from the old oakwood as two different natural features of Dalavich.

Discover more destinations: Cairndow, Lochgoilhead, Taynuilt, Port Ellen, Rhu, Dalmally, Garelochhead, Lochgilphead.

For the main travel overview: Argyll And Bute.