The celebration of the Cowal Way took place in the Clachan of Glendaruel on Saturday 5th May. This vibrant and popular community-led event now in its fourth year draws visitors and locals alike to the Glen and each year succeeds in raising the awareness of this remarkable, remote and truly breath-taking walk. Running the length of the Peninsula, the walk covers 47 miles and climbs 5050 ft (1540 m) along the way, drawing together some of Cowal’s most beautiful and remote landscapes.

Starting in the South West at Portavadie beside Loch Fyne and ending in the North East at Ardgartan by Loch Long, the ’spine’ of the Cowal Way is separated into six sections of varying length and difficulty with an additional seven circular walks, each linked to the main route. Wildlife, spectacular scenery, forest plantations, moorland, prehistoric and heritage sites are but a few of the focal points on a route which is detailed in full in the Cowal Way Guide Book. (more…)

Sat. May 5th
Glendaruel Village Hall
8.00pm
Live Ceilidh Band
Bar
Admission £5 (kids free)

The Cowal Way Open Day takes place on Saturday 5th May.

The picturesque Clachan of Glendaruel once again hosts a day-long festival featuring a variety of guided walks for all ages and levels of fitness with free transport from the Clachan to the start of each walk. Other activities include a Clay Pigeon Shoot, Walking Theatre (perhaps with a malicious chainsaw), Mountain Rescue Challenge, Orienteering, Live Music in the Glendaruel Hotel, ‘Have a Go’ Art, Veteran Motor-cycle display, Craft Stalls and the Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop. Finish off your day at the annual Ceilidh with live music and bar.

Anyone wishing to set up a stall or display, please contact Annie Craig on 01369 820267

For the second fixture in a row ColGlen were unable to field a full-strength side and unlike the opposition the weekend before, Oban Celtic were well-organised and accurate when shooting on goal. The home side’s dominance throughout the fixture was a measure of the strength of their midfield and forwards as much as the comparative weakness of ColGlen’s front line.

At half-time Oban were 3–1 up, their copy-book blotted by a truly magnificent strike by Willie McVicar on the right wing. At full pace McVicar managed to gather a quick cross-ball from John Beanie, neatly avoid the muscular attentions of his opposite number, and, still in full flight, shoot from the edge of the ‘D’ across the mouth of the goal to hit the target just inside the far post – the Oban goal-keeper was left in heap at the near post, completely foxed.

McVicar’s goal drew ColGlen onto equal terms for only a couple of minutes. Stung into action the aggressive Oban side took the initiative and the visitor’s defence barely had time to draw breath from then until the break, leaking a further two goals. This despite several monumentally spectacular saves from the captain, and a hugely impressive display from the back four which included new signing James Mitchell.

The second half brought more of the same – only Daniel Watt was able to show any sort of enterprise in front of goal when mid-way through the half he ran onto a fine forward ball from the ever-energetic Gordy Bruce, nutmegged the Oban half back and let rip a well-timed shot which the goal-keeper managed to scramble away for a corner. Watt’s adventure brought ColGlen their only measure of serious pressure on the Oban goal with a sequence of five or six corners, which alas came to nothing.

The last ten minutes were marked by several substitutions by Oban, no goals and a deserved red card for one of the increasingly fractious home side. By contrast and despite being 6–1 down ColGlen maintained an admirable cool and did not rise to what one bystander termed “ridiculous” levels of provocation.

ColGlen: McLeod (c), Sutton, A. McVicar, S. McKellar, J. Mitchell, R. Williamson, Bruce, Beanie, Watt, W. McVicar (1), F. Williamson, Dixon-Spain (M. McFarlane)