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Falls of Lora - stunning tidal rapids

Author Holiday West Highland |

WHEREVER you go in the West Highlands you’ll see lochs, some fast-flowing, some sleepy, all of them beautiful. At the village of Connel when the tide is right you will see the fantastic rapids known as the Falls of Lora where stunning Loch Etive meets the tidal flows of the sea.

This is a sight to behold as the loch is higher than sea level and when the loch waters level with the sea it’s a fine fast-flowing spectacle. Canoeists regard the falls as a great challenge and it’s great watching them fight the flow. Connel is at the mouth of Loch Etive and the home of one of the best-known landmarks in the West Highlands - the Connel Bridge. This cantilever bridge opened in 1903 and is a popular vantage point for watching the famous falls at high tide. The main road near the bridge is also the place to watch fabulous sunsets over the island of Lismore and the Morvern hills that will stay in your mind for ever. Connel itself grew in the late 1600s to service the ferry from here to North Connel long before the bridge was built. The nearby Connel airfield (actually at North Connel) was a Second World War airstrip and is now being completely renovated and restored to create an airfield which will cater for scheduled flights. Creagan Bridge, straddling Loch Creran, was installed in recent times to cut out a bendy, windy road round the loch but you should take some time out to go along this quiet track. The head of the loch in Glen Creran is at the foot of some stunning mountain scenery.

You might even spot a golden eagle gliding high above the peaks looking for food, even oyster catchers, seals and otters.

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