Saint Catherines – Chapel history on Loch Fyne

Saint Catherines on Loch Fyne combines a rich local history with a coastal route and several waterside points of interest. When looking for hotels, the village is particularly appealing to travellers who want to combine their stay with an interest in construction and transport history or the shoreline landscape. The chapel and pier reflect the area’s building history, the A815 offers scenic views, and the dive site has a distinct underwater profile.

Chapel, inn and building history

Fragmentary remains of a ruined chapel lie southeast of the Old Ferry Inn. It was founded in the mid-15th century by Duncan Campbell of Lochawe. A holy well beside the chapel was visited by pilgrims. The original building of the Old Ferry Inn is also said to have existed since the mid-15th century. This date refers to the original building. Northwest of the inn is an 82-metre-long stone pier, built to a design by Thomas Telford between 1812 and 1820.

The village’s history is also reflected in its connection to building projects elsewhere: from 1751, stone quarried at St Catherines was the main source of building stone for Inveraray Castle. The area’s historic transport links included a ferry that once ran across Loch Fyne between Inveraray and St Catherines. The Earls of Argyll regarded this connection as the most direct route to and from the Scottish Lowlands. Thus, in the village’s history, Loch Fyne appears not only as a landscape, but also as a transport route.

Coastal road and landscape

From the A815 at St Catherines, unobstructed views of Loch Fyne and Inveraray open up again as the road runs parallel to the shore. The surrounding area of St Catherines is part of the North Argyll & East Loch Fyne Coast Areas of Panoramic Quality. This landscape designation applies to the surrounding area. The views from the road and the regional designation offer two different perspectives on the coastal landscape.

Dive site and activities on the water

The St Catherines dive site lies on the eastern shore of Loch Fyne, directly opposite Inveraray. At depths of around 10 to 35 metres, a rubble reef provides shelter for numerous species of small marine life. An underwater telecommunications cable runs at a depth of about 20 metres, dividing the reef and attracting sponges, sea squirts and peacock worms. The depth, reef structure and cable shape the underwater profile described here. Diving conditions can vary; check access locally.

A council plan based on a 2008 consultation identifies the shingle beaches between Strachur and St Catherines as an area for sea angling. The plan covers this wider stretch of coast; shore conditions and access may change. A 2017 report records St Catherines as a launch point for a canoe trip on Upper Loch Fyne. A swimmer also used the pier as an entry and exit point for open-water swimming. These are specific but distinct ways of using the water. Water conditions, currents and access may change; check the situation locally.

Piers and access to the shore

Alongside the historic stone pier, there is a concrete pier with a slipway opposite the disused St Catherines Hotel. This concrete pier is managed by Argyll and Bute Council. The construction period and design of the historic pier are documented, while the slipway and management are the main points of interest at the concrete pier. Check its condition before using it.

At St Catherines, a narrow path through the trees provides vehicle access to the shore opposite the caravan park. As conditions can change, it is a good idea to check access before making a specific trip. This coastal access point and the facilities mentioned above are individual landmarks to keep in mind when planning a trip. The history, the landscape along the A815 and the activities on the water offer different points of focus when planning a stay in Saint Catherines.

Discover more destinations: Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Dalavich, Tarbert, Lerags, Innellan, Garelochhead, Lochgoilhead

For the broader travel overview: Argyll And Bute.