Two themes take centre stage in Lerags: the medieval grave slabs at Kilbride and the paths in Cologin Forest. The historic traces lead to sculpture, church history and drovers’ routes; in the forest, rides through a conifer plantation and a rough upland path shape the outing. Depending on whether you are more interested in heritage or landscape, you can tailor the focus of your stay.

Grave Slabs, Chapel and a Historic Cross

The old churchyard at Kilbride contains an important group of late medieval grave slabs. Their carvings include the Iona and Loch Awe styles. These style names offer a specific insight into the sculpture of the grave slabs. An information board and a map show the location of all the graves in the churchyard and place each burial site in the overall picture.

Kilbride Chapel in Lerags consists of the remains of a chapel built in 1706 and stands on the site of a medieval parish church. The two details refer to different periods of construction: the chapel dates from the early 18th century, while the church site goes back to a medieval parish church. Those interested in the history of religious sites will find a clear chronological connection here.

Campbell of Lerags’ Cross is also a historic attraction in its own right. The freestanding cross is made from a single block of slate and was originally erected in 1516 by Archibald Campbell of Lerags. It is one of around ten known complete examples of the West Highland school of sculpture. Its form, material and date make the cross a particularly vivid part of Lerags’ cultural heritage.

Kilbride lies at the junction of two drovers’ routes. One of these routes runs from Cologin Farm through Kilbride to the market in Falkirk. This reveals another aspect of the area’s history: alongside the churchyard and the cross, the routes between an agricultural starting point and the market also form part of the area’s historic landscape.

Woodland Paths in Cologin Forest

Cologin Forest offers a different focus for planning your trip. An informal woodland walking path can be accessed from the chalet complex in Lerags Glen and is designated a Core Path. It runs along rides through a conifer plantation. The woodland lies on a ridge between Lerags Glen and Loch Gleann a’ Bhearraidh; this location provides the geographical setting for the forest path.

A rough upland path leads from the woodland path to a reservoir used by local anglers. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the two types of path: here, an informal walking path through the plantation contrasts with a rough path leading to the reservoir. This lets you tailor your description of the outing to whether you mainly want to walk in the forest or include the upland path.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

For those interested in cultural history, the grave slabs, chapel and Campbell of Lerags’ Cross offer different ways to explore the history of the area: medieval carvings, a chapel built in 1706 and a cross dating from 1516. Those who prefer to focus on the landscape can take their cue from the different path descriptions in Cologin Forest. When searching for hotels in Lerags, it helps to first decide what kind of stay you want: should the trip focus mainly on the historic traces at Kilbride or on the woodland paths?

Discover more destinations: Garelochhead, Craignure, Carradale, Lussagiven, Helensburgh, Crinan, Furnace, Kirn

For the main travel overview: Argyll And Bute.