Less than 30 miles from the centre of Glasgow as the crow flies but, in between, the high mountains and sea form a formidable barrier. Until the 19th century it might as well have been in another country!

Lochgoilhead sits at the northern end of Loch Goil. This is the steep-sided sea loch that branches off Loch Long as it makes its way from the Clyde to its terminus under the shadow of the Arrochar Alps.

Today it takes a little effort to get to Lochgoilhead. The village sits at the southern end of a "Y" shaped network of single track roads that lead north to the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful pass and, via Hell's Glen, to the main road skirting Loch Fyne opposite Inveraray.

Walking the woods around Lochgoilhead is one of the many pleasures the area has to offer. One such walk leads you to Rob Roy’s Cave. Legend has it that Rob Roy MacGregor hid in this cave after one of his many cattle raids!

But, perhaps, the area is most famous for its history surrounding the Campbell Clan. The wife of Sir Neil Campbell of Lochore was the sister of Robert the Bruce and, so, the Campbells were already well established in the Royal Courts. Sir Neil’s son, Colin Campbell, gained great patronage in accompanying Edward Bruce, Robert’s brother, to Ireland in 1316.

Further favour was gained by collaborating with Robert Steward, Robert the Bruce’s grandson in trying to regain control of the West of Scotland from the English in 1334 for which he was granted lands throughout Argyll. This appears to have helped enormously in obtaining both land and power for the Campbells.