Saint Catherines: History on Loch Fyne

Saint Catherines combines history on the shores of Loch Fyne with a distinctive coastal landscape. Chapel ruins, a stone pier built to Thomas Telford’s design, and traces of a historic ferry service to Inveraray tell of different periods and connections. The A815 also offers unobstructed views of Loch Fyne and Inveraray at St Catherines once the road runs parallel to the shore. The village thus offers both cultural points of interest and water-related attractions to consider when planning your trip.

Chapel, Pier and Historic Connections

Fragmentary remains of a ruined chapel lie southeast of the Old Ferry Inn. Duncan Campbell of Lochawe founded it in the mid-15th century. A holy well stood beside the chapel and was visited by pilgrims. The Old Ferry Inn is also notable for its age: the original building is said to have existed as early as the mid-15th century. This refers to its predecessor, not to the fabric of the present building.

A 82-metre-long stone pier lies northwest of the Old Ferry Inn. It was built between 1812 and 1820 to a design by Thomas Telford. Another historic connection links St Catherines with Inveraray Castle: from 1751, stone quarried at St Catherines was the main source of building stone for the castle. A ferry also once connected St Catherines and Inveraray across Loch Fyne. For the Earls of Argyll, this historic route was the most direct connection to and from the Scottish Lowlands.

Landscape and Shore

The area around St Catherines is part of the North Argyll & East Loch Fyne Coast Areas of Panoramic Quality. The landscape is particularly evident from the A815: at St Catherines, unobstructed views of Loch Fyne and Inveraray open up when the road runs parallel to the shore.

A narrow path through the trees provides vehicle access to the shore at St Catherines, opposite the caravan park. As conditions can change, check the path’s current condition before making specific plans to use it. Opposite the disused St Catherines Hotel, there is also a concrete pier with a slipway. It is privately owned and managed by Argyll and Bute Council; check its condition before planning to use it.

Water Activities and Special Features

The St Catherines dive site lies on the eastern shore of Loch Fyne, directly opposite Inveraray. At depths of about 10 to 35 metres, a boulder reef provides shelter for many species of small marine life. An underwater telecommunications cable runs at a depth of about 20 metres, cutting across the reef and attracting sponges, sea squirts and peacock worms. The approximate depth of the cable falls within the range given for the reef, illustrating the underwater landscape. Diving conditions and the marine life that can be observed may vary; check local access and diving conditions.

St Catherines is also associated with other water activities. A 2017 report records a canoe trip on Upper Loch Fyne that started there. An open-water swimming account describes a swimmer using the pier to enter and exit the water. Access, currents and water conditions can vary when open-water swimming; take local conditions into account when planning.

For sea fishing, a plan based on a 2008 consultation identifies the pebble beaches between Strachur and St Catherines as an area. This refers to that stretch of coast; shore conditions and access may change. Bear this in mind when planning a fishing visit.

Choose Accommodation Based on Your Travel Interests

When looking for a holiday rental in Saint Catherines, you could first consider which aspect of the village you want to focus on during your stay. The chapel ruins, holy well, Old Ferry Inn and two distinct pier structures provide a historical focus. The views from the A815 and the water activities offer different highlights; diving and swimming also depend on local conditions.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Kirn, Luss, Ardentinny, Rhu, Shandon, Bowmore, Connel, Tayinloan.

For the main travel overview: Argyll And Bute.