Crinan
Argyll and Bute

Situated 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Lochgilphead, the village of Crinan sits at the western entrance to the canal, to which it gives its name. The topography of the village is complex; it is squeezed between the summits of a small headland and accessibility is problematic especially at the height of the tourist season. Crinan has a picturesque harbour in the lee of Eilean da Mheinn and, at the opposite side of the village, is the sea-lock which provides access to the canal from Loch Crinan. The canal links this sea-loch with Ardrishaig and Loch Fyne to the southeast. Designed by John Rennie and built between 1793 and 1801, the canal provided a safer and faster route from Glasgow to Inverness. However, as ship sizes grew, the canal became less important for trade and subsequently developed for pleasure craft.

On the opposite side of Loch Crinan, to the north, stands Duntrune Castle which dates from the 12th Century.

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