St Conan's Kirk
St Conan's Kirk
4.5
Historic SitesArchitectural BuildingsReligious SitesChurches & Cathedrals
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
St Conan's Kirk is a beautiful and facinating Kirk in Argyle. It was designed and built by Walter Campbell to save his mother travelling six miles to the nearest church! A self-taught designer, Walter designed it to contain most architectural styles and visitors find something new to see every visit. It is open most days from 9 to 5pm and entry is by donation. Highlights include the Cloisters, the stunning Ambulatory and the Bruce Chapel which contains a fragment of Robert the Bruce's bone. Your donation is used for the program of repairs. More information about special events is on the website.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4 within 3 miles
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5 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- DadandCabCoffs Harbour, Australia1,179 contributionsNot exactly a grand designThe ugliest church I think I’ve ever seen with a total mismatch of styles but still in an unbeatable location so well worth a stop for that alone. The building is still interesting although weird and the highlight for me was the wooded pews inside for the clan chieftans. The carvings on these were stunning. There is also a small garden with benches with views down the loch and a tea room, although it was closed the day we visited.We are glad that you liked some aspects of the kirk and it environments. The founder's vision was to incorporate many different styles of church building in the Kirk which he did achieve. It is great to highlight the carvings and woodwork for other visitors to enjoy.Written 28 June 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited April 2023Written 27 April 2023
- Blackth0rnBristol, United Kingdom1,395 contributionsLovely spotWell worth stopping if passing by, this looks very much like an old church, but is in fact relatively recent, having been built around a hundred years ago. It’s a mix of different architectural styles with the designer taking the best bits of several different influences. It’s certainly a pleasant spot, and besides the impressive church, there are small gardens at the back with great views over the loch.Thank you for your review and glad you enjoyed your visit.Written 25 July 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 July 2023
- Leslie W175 contributionsIt's amazing hereThis church was built by an amateur architect, and he incorporated several different styles of construction and decoration. It's weird, but nice. Wander each section and read all the signs, there's something interesting to find everywhere. Note that if it's busy, it's very, very difficult to turn your car around and get back on the road, which is also busy. Try going into the lower parking area to turn around. Or park on the verges and don't go into the parking area.We are currently working to improve the parking by the gatehouse to assist turning and ensure there is a turning space available. We have planning permission in place and are currently fundraising to meet the costs of these works.Written 28 August 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited July 2023Written 13 August 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
517 reviews
Excellent
386
Very good
117
Average
13
Poor
0
Terrible
1
StanABC
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia94 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Peaceful. Beautiful views inside and out, and of the loch.
Tea room (check for hours especially outside summer). Watch out for traffic when crossing road.
Tea room (check for hours especially outside summer). Watch out for traffic when crossing road.
Written 12 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R G
Dublin, Ireland1,017 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
A Quirky Kirk on the shores of Lochawe ,an elective collection of church architecture fused into a magical / religious experience.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma D
Canterbury, UK2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
This is a beautiful church and spot overlooking the loch that has a wonderful atmosphere and well worth visiting if you are in this part of the world.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olive F
Ackworth, UK1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Friends
This was the biggest surprise of my stay at Loch Awe and we only came across it by accident! The word quirky is vastly overused these days but that sums this place up. A local Victorian architect built it using local stone and features reclaimed from other demolished churches with timbers from British battleships. He threw practically every ecclesiastical style at it and commissioned stained glass windows and unique stone carvings.
You need to explore this building very carefully to make sure you don’t miss a detail. There are swallows carved at the base of pillars, a hound chasing a hare across the roof, an amazing stone birdbath carved with otters. Owls and angels and a Scottish king. My favourite feature was the completely unexpected mediaeval-style cloister which was beautifully dressed with colourful hanging baskets and swallows were nesting in the eaves. I stood for ages watching them swoop in and out of their nests and it became one of the most magical moments of my life.
The other star of the show is a cat called Sooty who is really friendly and loves meeting the visitors. We asked at the owner of the small coffee/gift shop on site who Sooty belongs to and she said the matter is disputed. “He lives across the road, but he works here.”
Add all this to the stunning setting with incredible views across the loch and you have perfection. It is adjacent to the A85 but you could also visit by train. There is a train station at Loch Awe and the kirk is about 20 minutes’ walk.
You need to explore this building very carefully to make sure you don’t miss a detail. There are swallows carved at the base of pillars, a hound chasing a hare across the roof, an amazing stone birdbath carved with otters. Owls and angels and a Scottish king. My favourite feature was the completely unexpected mediaeval-style cloister which was beautifully dressed with colourful hanging baskets and swallows were nesting in the eaves. I stood for ages watching them swoop in and out of their nests and it became one of the most magical moments of my life.
The other star of the show is a cat called Sooty who is really friendly and loves meeting the visitors. We asked at the owner of the small coffee/gift shop on site who Sooty belongs to and she said the matter is disputed. “He lives across the road, but he works here.”
Add all this to the stunning setting with incredible views across the loch and you have perfection. It is adjacent to the A85 but you could also visit by train. There is a train station at Loch Awe and the kirk is about 20 minutes’ walk.
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your experience at the Kirk. It is lovely to hear different ways people experience the building.
Written 28 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ponuponas
Vilnius, Lithuania1,150 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Wow ! What a church ! If it would be in a large town, it would be a star destination. The real ancient Scottish church. Good place for a quick stop.
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
St Conan's is definitely an old if not ancient church. It was build in 2 stages, in the 1880s for stage 1 and then the 2nd stage completed ion 1930. We are glad you enjoyed your visit.
Written 28 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Leslie W
175 contributions
Jul 2023
This church was built by an amateur architect, and he incorporated several different styles of construction and decoration. It's weird, but nice. Wander each section and read all the signs, there's something interesting to find everywhere.
Note that if it's busy, it's very, very difficult to turn your car around and get back on the road, which is also busy. Try going into the lower parking area to turn around. Or park on the verges and don't go into the parking area.
Note that if it's busy, it's very, very difficult to turn your car around and get back on the road, which is also busy. Try going into the lower parking area to turn around. Or park on the verges and don't go into the parking area.
Written 13 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are currently working to improve the parking by the gatehouse to assist turning and ensure there is a turning space available. We have planning permission in place and are currently fundraising to meet the costs of these works.
Written 28 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laura Mac
Falkirk, UK29 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We visited St Conan’s Kirk after it was recommended by a family member and I am so glad we stopped to visit. The history and architecture of the Church was breathtaking, picture don’t do it justice!!
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you sharing your review and helping encourage others to visit.
Written 28 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lisamagix
Leeds, UK11 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Beautiful architecture and the history is very interesting. The scenery is mind blowing. I would definitely recommend a visit but avoid the tearoom where ‘homemade’ cupcakes are very overpriced and the muffins are supermarket bought and overpriced.
Written 27 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blackth0rn
Bristol, UK1,395 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Well worth stopping if passing by, this looks very much like an old church, but is in fact relatively recent, having been built around a hundred years ago. It’s a mix of different architectural styles with the designer taking the best bits of several different influences. It’s certainly a pleasant spot, and besides the impressive church, there are small gardens at the back with great views over the loch.
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review and glad you enjoyed your visit.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
tcc334
Aberdeen, UK173 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
A real must visit if you are in the area or passing. My husband and I visited here last week and we weren't disappointed. The interior is just stunning and there are display notices to provide information at various areas around the kirk. Stunning inside and out, and the views down the loch were amazing too. Oh and there is a tea shop which we didn't visit but looked lovely.
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5 star review, it really helps others to find out about the kirk and hopefully visit us.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about St Conan's Kirk
- Hotels near St Conan's Kirk:
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- Restaurants near St Conan's Kirk:
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