Lochgilphead, Local Information

When you come to visit Lochgilphead, Argyll in Scotland you will probably be coming by car or would have rented one. There are however good facilities for local travel and you will find below the Telephone numbers and, if available, links to the relevant web site. If you are planning to visit some of the nearby beautiful islands you would probably like to know about ferry services, etc. General purpose information is also provided. On this page there is short history of Lochgilphead.

Lochgilphead History

Lochgilphead stands at the head of a short loch called Loch Gilp which leads north west from Loch Fyne. Lochgilphead is one of those rare towns that have been built according to the architect's plans. It was first laid out as a planned town in 1790, soon after the completion of the road from Inveraray to Campbeltown. Since then the town has steadily grown in its stature due to several important developments. During 1801, the Crinan Canal became functional providing a considerable short cut across the Kintyre peninsula. By 1830 a road was built linking Lochgilphead to Oban, and by 1831 a wooden pier was constructed thus linking Lochgilphead directly to Glasgow and other major cities. Sadly, the wooden pier is no longer any where to be seen.

Because of its central location, Lochgilphead soon acquired its most important role as administrative headquarters for Argyll which has now expanded to include the whole of Argyll and Bute - a vast area of western Scotland.

Although Lochgilphead is a planned town however its design is limited by the available space: there is Loch Gilp to the north, Crinan Canal to the east and the steep hills to the south and west.