Loch awe questions

[Allie]

Hi guys,
A couple of my friends and I are thinking about taking a wild camping trip up to Scotland this summer - and I was wondering some things!!
After some research I'm thinking of either Loch Etive or Loch Awe, as they seem quite accessible but not really busy.

But some questions:
- How busy are these in summer? Say August-ish?
- I know it's possible to hire canoes at Loch Awe - d'you know if it's possible to hire these for like a week at a time, or just by the day (I fancy those islands!)
- Is lighting fires ok? I've read various things about this.
- From what I've read on here and a bit elsewhere - we'd just need to buy permits there to be able to fish?
- How much woodland is camp-able around there (Loch Awe)? I'll have a hammock and tarp, although might take a tent as well just in case there's not much around, while my friends will probably have tents.
- I think (I may be totally wrong here!) it's possible to access Loch Awe by train?

I'm fairly sure I had more questions, but I can't remember them .
Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated - thanks guys!

 

[w00dsmoke]

Loch Awe, you'll love it or loathe it. It can be a very wild and windy place even in August. A few train stops close by. Follow the outdoor access code, plenty hammocking/camp spots.
The honey pot areas have a fragile ecology. Getting ruined in places by so called fishermen and bushcrafters weilding canoes, saws and axes leaving a trail of firepits and shelters and knee high stumps. Amazing history if your prepared to look it up. Cruachan is well worth a visit but you do need to book it in advance as it's filled with hourdes in the summer.

Some of the local village shops are straight out of the league of gentlemen but basic supllies can be bought there, permits for fishing can be had in them too. Bailliffs do check.

WS

 

[dwardo]

Lovely place
We were lucky with the weather last time it was glorious sunshine for days on end. We were island hopping which is the best way to see the loch but i have no info on any canoe rental places as i pinched my brothers

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22424

 

[The Cumbrian]

Excellent place, I was up there last May. I went before the midges got bad, and they were bad enough then!

I blogged the trip on SOTP:

http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=11006


Cheers, Michael.

 

[Allie]

Thanks guys Dwardo I've seen your review of it before, it really does look amazing
Woodsmoke, what d'you mean about loving it or loathing it? That's worrying
D'you think it would be feasible to go out there for a week and camp along the shore with occasional fishing/wandering, without much disturbance?
Alternately, we were thinking to get away from any crowds, maybe we could just stop off along a river/stream somewhere.. It's all very difficult!

 

[w00dsmoke]

Pm me for details

 

[locum76]

It's all very difficult!

i'm sure you'll find its not when you get there (as long as you can handle a horizontal midge and rainstorm)