Pass of Brander
The gorge below Ben Cruachan where the River Awe runs to Loch Etive, and where Bruce broke the MacDougalls in 1308.
The Pass of Brander is the narrow gorge where the River Awe cuts through the southern slope of Ben Cruachan on its way down from Loch Awe to Loch Etive, and the road and the railway to Oban squeeze through it beside the water.
It is not a place to stop for long, but it is worth knowing what happened here as you drive through.
In the summer of 1308, probably in late August, the MacDougalls of Lorn laid an ambush for Robert the Bruce in the pass, their men hidden on the hillside above the narrow path, while their lord, John, recovering from illness, watched from a galley on Loch Awe. But a party of loyal Highlanders under Sir James Douglas had climbed even higher up Ben Cruachan unseen, and when the MacDougalls attacked they were caught between the king below and the Black Douglas above. They were chased west across the River Awe all the way to Dunstaffnage, and the Lord of Argyll surrendered.
The A85 and the railway to Oban run through the pass, west of Lochawe village.
- Where
- The A85 west of Lochawe.
- Battle
- Summer 1308.
West of Lochawe, below Ben Cruachan.
Cruachan Visitor CentreUnder a mile1 min by road
St 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.4 miles5 min by road
Loch EtiveA seventeen-mile sea loch from Connel into the mountains, with a pier at its head once served by steamers.4 miles6 min by road
Kilchurn CastleThe Campbells of Glenorchy's castle at the head of Loch Awe, with the oldest surviving barracks on the British mainland.6 miles10 min by road
Loch AweThe longest freshwater loch in Scotland, 23 miles through the hills of Argyll, with crannogs, island chapels and Campbell castles.19 miles29 min by road
Places to stay near the pass, and when each is next free.
Uisge Bothy- Sleeps 2
- In Oban
- 9 miles from the pass
Beatha- Sleeps 2
- In Oban
- 9 miles from the pass
Slochd- Sleeps 2
- In Argyll and Bute
- 11 miles from the pass
Glencruitten House- To stay
- In Argyll and Bute
- 12 miles from the pass
Scotland, in print.
Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.
For further reading, before you go.