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The granite monument with its round, pillared top.
Argyll and Bute

Duncan Ban MacIntyre Monument

A pillared granite monument of 1859 above Dalmally to the Gaelic poet Duncan Bàn MacIntyre, looking down Loch Awe.

Welcome

The Duncan Ban MacIntyre Monument stands on a hilltop above Dalmally, on the old military road from Inveraray, a round, pillared temple on a tall granite base, 13.5 metres high, that looks out over Loch Awe and its islands.

It was raised by public subscription in 1859 in honour of Duncan Bàn MacIntyre, Fair Duncan, one of the great Gaelic poets, born in a township on the shores of Loch Tulla, now deserted.

Duncan spent much of his life as a forester and gamekeeper among the hills of Glen Orchy, and his poems sing of the mountains and the deer, above all Beinn Dòrain. The monument was built where, in his day, the men of the villages met twice a year for their own parliament. Queen Victoria came to see it in 1875 and was thrilled by the view. It is a short, steep climb from the road, and often missed, but the view from the top down Loch Awe is one of the finest in Argyll.

A short drive awayBen OssA rugged 1,030-metre Munro beside Ben Lui, climbed from Dalrigh near Tyndrum.10 min by roadSee itBen Oss and its neighbours above golden grass under big clouds.
Before you go

The monument is on the old military road between Dalmally and Inveraray, above Loch Awe, a short, steep walk from the road.

It can be visited at any time.

Where
Old military road above Dalmally.
When
Any time.
Where it is

Above Dalmally, by Loch Awe.

Close byBy Loch Awe.
  1. Kilchurn CastleKilchurn CastleThe Campbells of Glenorchy's castle at the head of Loch Awe, with the oldest surviving barracks on the British mainland.3 miles4 min by road
  2. St Conan’s KirkSt Conan’s KirkOne man's dream of a church on the shore of Loch Awe, begun in 1881, with a chapel holding a bone of Robert the Bruce.5 miles8 min by road
  3. Cruachan Visitor CentreCruachan Visitor Centre7 miles11 min by road
  4. The Pass of Brander from above: the road, the railway and the River Awe between steep green hills.Pass of BranderThe gorge below Ben Cruachan where the River Awe runs to Loch Etive, and where Bruce broke the MacDougalls in 1308.8 miles12 min by road
  5. Beinn Dòrain's steep slopes above the glen, snow on the tops beyond.Beinn DorainThe great cone that fills the view north of Tyndrum, a Munro climbed from Bridge of Orchy with Beinn an Dòthaidh.17 miles22 min by road
Directions
Ben Oss and its neighbours above golden grass under big clouds.AttractionsBen Oss7.3 miles
Loch Etive winding between steep mountains, a river delta in the foreground, from above.AttractionsLoch Etive13 miles
The shore at Airds Bay with Loch Etive and the hills beyond.AttractionsAirds Bay14 miles
Wooded hills of Glen Nant under low cloud.AttractionsGlen Nant National Forest15 miles
Timber cabin with copper roof beside a loch, shaded by oak treesObanUisge BothySleeps 2 · 20 miles
Black timber-clad cabin with corrugated roof and stove flue, set among trees and long grassObanBeathaSleeps 2 · 20 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the monument, and when each is next free.

A dark timber cabin with a pitched metal roof stands among ferns and birch trees.Kabn
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Cairndow
  • 10 miles from the monument
Free 17–19 NovTimber cabin with copper roof beside a loch, shaded by oak treesUisge Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Oban
  • 14 miles from the monument
Check datesBlack timber-clad cabin with corrugated roof and stove flue, set among trees and long grassBeatha
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Oban
  • 14 miles from the monument
Check datesSlochd, Argyll and ButeSlochd
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 16 miles from the monument
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Argyll and ButeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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For further reading, before you go.