Achaleven

Settlement in Argyllshire

Scotland

Achaleven

View to the jetty at Camas Bruaich Ruaidhe
View to the jetty at Camas Bruaich Ruaidhe Credit: Eirian Evans

Achaleven is a small, picturesque village located in the county of Argyllshire, Scotland. Situated on the west coast of Scotland, it is nestled between the villages of Connel and Benderloch. With a population of around 200 residents, Achaleven offers a tranquil and close-knit community atmosphere.

The village is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes. Surrounded by rolling hills, verdant meadows, and the sparkling waters of Loch Etive, Achaleven provides a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The nearby Ben Cruachan mountain range offers hiking and climbing opportunities, while Loch Etive is perfect for fishing, boating, and wildlife spotting.

Achaleven is also home to several historical landmarks, adding to its charm and character. The Achaleven Castle, a 16th-century tower house, stands proudly as a reminder of the area's rich history. The castle offers a glimpse into the past and is a popular attraction for visitors.

Despite its small size, Achaleven boasts a strong sense of community spirit. The village has a local primary school, a village hall, and a thriving community center that hosts various events and activities throughout the year. The residents take pride in maintaining the village's beauty and preserving its heritage.

Achaleven is a peaceful and idyllic place to live or visit, offering a unique blend of natural wonders and historical significance. Its stunning surroundings and welcoming community make it a hidden gem in the heart of Argyllshire.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Achaleven Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.442727/-5.3922124 or Grid Reference NM9133. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

View to the jetty at Camas Bruaich Ruaidhe
View to the jetty at Camas Bruaich Ruaidhe
Coast near Connel West of the Connel bridge
Coast near Connel
West of the Connel bridge
The Connel Bridge Cantilever bridge, spanning Loch Etive. It carries the A828 over the narrowest part of the loch. It was built in 1903 and originally carried the railway. The Falls of Lora, below the bridge, is home to a fantastic tidal rapid which is an ideal venue for sea kayakers to hone their skills
The Connel Bridge
Cantilever bridge, spanning Loch Etive. It carries the A828 over the narrowest part of the loch. It was built in 1903 and originally carried the railway. The Falls of Lora, below the bridge, is home to a fantastic tidal rapid which is an ideal venue for sea kayakers to hone their skills
Falls of Lora Hotel In Connel.
Falls of Lora Hotel
In Connel.
The Connel Bridge The Connel Bridge was built to carry the Connel to Ballachulish railway line across the mouth of Loch Etive.  The railway lines were embedded in a roadway, later to become the A828.  Until the railway was closed in 1966, barriers and signals were employed to allow trains or vehicles to cross the bridge.  Nowadays the bridge is only used for road traffic.
The Connel Bridge
The Connel Bridge was built to carry the Connel to Ballachulish railway line across the mouth of Loch Etive. The railway lines were embedded in a roadway, later to become the A828. Until the railway was closed in 1966, barriers and signals were employed to allow trains or vehicles to cross the bridge. Nowadays the bridge is only used for road traffic.
Connel Ferry Looking towards Achaleven Cottages
Connel Ferry
Looking towards Achaleven Cottages
Old Farm on Achaleven Road
Old Farm on Achaleven Road
Private Level crossing on Achaleven Road Line from Oban to Glasgow
Private Level crossing on Achaleven Road
Line from Oban to Glasgow
Shore line Loch Leven at Dunfuinary
Shore line Loch Leven at Dunfuinary
Connel Ferry Station
Connel Ferry Station
View from a room In the Falls of Lora Hotel looking towards Connel Ferry Bridge.
View from a room
In the Falls of Lora Hotel looking towards Connel Ferry Bridge.
Connel Bridge and Falls of Lora
Connel Bridge and Falls of Lora
Loch Etive from Connel
Loch Etive from Connel
Loch  Etive and Connel Bridge From Falls of Lora Hotel
Loch Etive and Connel Bridge
From Falls of Lora Hotel
Oban train at Connel Scotrail Class 156 156445  emerges from the trees
Oban train at Connel
Scotrail Class 156 156445 emerges from the trees
Slipway at North Connel
Slipway at North Connel
Connel Bridge / Falls of Lora, Loch Etive Connel Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans Loch Etive at Connel in Scotland. The bridge takes the A828 road across the narrowest part of the loch, at the Falls of Lora. 

Opened on 20 August 1903 as a railway bridge, however in  1914, a roadway was added to the bridge, alongside the railway line. The road occupied the western side of the bridge, with the railway running parallel immediately to the east. Due to the close proximity of road and railway, road traffic and trains were not permitted on the bridge at the same time and the bridge was effectively operated as an extended level crossing with gates. The road crossed to the opposite side of the railway at the north end of the bridge. A toll was payable by road users.

After the branch line closed in 1966, the bridge was converted for the exclusive use of road vehicles and pedestrians, and the toll was removed. Despite the railway track having been removed, the roadway is not wide enough for two vehicles to cross each other. Traffic lights are installed at each end of the bridge to enforce one-way traffic.  

<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connel_Bridge" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connel_Bridge">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>


The Falls of Lora is a tidal race which forms at the mouth of Loch Etive when a particularly high tide runs out from the loch. 

<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falls_of_Lora" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falls_of_Lora">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Connel Bridge / Falls of Lora, Loch Etive
Connel Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans Loch Etive at Connel in Scotland. The bridge takes the A828 road across the narrowest part of the loch, at the Falls of Lora. Opened on 20 August 1903 as a railway bridge, however in 1914, a roadway was added to the bridge, alongside the railway line. The road occupied the western side of the bridge, with the railway running parallel immediately to the east. Due to the close proximity of road and railway, road traffic and trains were not permitted on the bridge at the same time and the bridge was effectively operated as an extended level crossing with gates. The road crossed to the opposite side of the railway at the north end of the bridge. A toll was payable by road users. After the branch line closed in 1966, the bridge was converted for the exclusive use of road vehicles and pedestrians, and the toll was removed. Despite the railway track having been removed, the roadway is not wide enough for two vehicles to cross each other. Traffic lights are installed at each end of the bridge to enforce one-way traffic. LinkExternal link The Falls of Lora is a tidal race which forms at the mouth of Loch Etive when a particularly high tide runs out from the loch. LinkExternal link
Connel Bridge It was originally a railway bridge, but at one time it was a dual purpose bridge, being used by cars when there was no train crossing! Now it is just a road bridge. Below the bridge are the Falls of Lora, a tidal rapid.
Connel Bridge
It was originally a railway bridge, but at one time it was a dual purpose bridge, being used by cars when there was no train crossing! Now it is just a road bridge. Below the bridge are the Falls of Lora, a tidal rapid.
Show me another place!

Achaleven is located at Grid Ref: NM9133 (Lat: 56.442727, Lng: -5.3922124)

Unitary Authority: Argyll and Bute

Police Authority: Argyll and West Dunbartonshire

What 3 Words

///limped.ordeals.scored. Near Oban, Argyll & Bute

Nearby Locations

Achaleven

Related Wikis

Connel Ferry railway station

Connel Ferry railway station is a railway station serving the village of Connel in western Scotland. This station is on the Oban branch of the West Highland...

Connel

Connel (Gaelic: A' Choingheal) is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is situated on the southern shore of Loch Etive. The Lusragan Burn flows through...

Connel Bridge

Connel Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans Loch Etive at Connel in Scotland. The bridge takes the A828 road across the narrowest part of the loch...

Falls of Lora

The Falls of Lora is a tidal race which forms at the mouth of Loch Etive when a particularly high tide runs out from the loch. They form white water rapids...

North Connel railway station

North Connel was a railway station located in North Connel, Argyll and Bute, on the north shore of Loch Etive. Its location was at the north end of Connel...

North Connel

North Connel is a hamlet on the north side of Loch Etive in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Connel Bridge connects the community to Connel on the south shore...

Oban Airport

Oban Airport (Scottish Gaelic: Port-adhair an Òbain) (IATA: OBN, ICAO: EGEO) is located 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) northeast of Oban, near the village...

Scottish Association for Marine Science

The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) is one of Europe's leading marine science research organisations, one of the oldest oceanographic organisations...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 56.442727,-5.3922124
Barrier: cattle_grid
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 56.443659/-5.394945
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.445365/-5.3900626
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4465155/-5.3892285
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4409809/-5.3929514
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4419165/-5.3924739
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4427082/-5.391967
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4402529/-5.3938499
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Achaleven?

Leave your review of Achaleven below (or comments, questions and feedback).