Editing Lochgoilhead (section)

== Location ==

The village is surrounded by several Corbetts in the [[Arrochar Alps]], including Benn Donich, The Brack and Cnoc Coinnich and local waterways are the River Goil and the Donich Water.

[[File:Distant view of Lochgoilhead.jpg|thumb|left|Distant view of Lochgoilhead]]

The area has been inhabited for over 10,000 years, with the original name for the area being 'Kil nam brathairan' from the Gaelic for 'Church of the brothers'.  There are Neolithic remains in the area, including nearby cup marks and a well-preserved corn kiln.<ref>{{cite book|title=Loch Goil - a Slice out of Paradise|publisher=Akros Print|isbn=978-0-9540825-1-2|year=2004}}</ref> The area is associated with the history of [[Clan Campbell]], who drove the Lamonts from the area in the fourteenth century.   Lochgoilhead used to be an important stop on the route between [[Glasgow]] and [[Inverary]], as travellers would arrive by boat and continue by coach to St Catherine's, where they would board a second boat to cross Loch Fyne.<ref>{{cite book|title=Loch Goil - Looking Back|publisher=Lochgoil Publishing|isbn=978-0-9554495-0-5|year=2006}}</ref>

Lochgoilhead is situated in the [[Cowal]] Peninsula and access to the village is either via the A83 with a turning off the 'Rest and be Thankful', or the A815 from [[Dunoon]].  Both roads are single track.  Travel times from [[Glasgow]], {{convert|50|mi}} to the south east, are approximately 90 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lochgoilhead page on National Park Website |url=http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/living/lochgoil/menu-id-202.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124055224/http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/living/lochgoil/menu-id-202.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 January 2011 |accessdate=10 November 2014 }}</ref>

The village has a population of about 400, with around a third of the houses being holiday rental properties or second homes.  A large holiday village, Drimsynie Estate Holiday Village,nearly doubles the population of Lochgoilhead in high season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Information on Drimsynie Estate|url=https://www.argyllholidays.com/parks/drimsynie-estate-holiday-village|accessdate=10 November 2014}}</ref> Employment in the area is largely related to [[agriculture]], [[forestry]] and [[tourism]], with rates of unemployment at approximately the national average.   Rates of self-employment are twice the Scottish average.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lochgoilhead information on National Park Website |url=http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/living/lochgoil/menu-id-202.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124055224/http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/living/lochgoil/menu-id-202.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 January 2011 |accessdate=10 November 2014 }}</ref>

The village has a Post Office/Shop and a small Costcutter supermarket.  There is a church, a village hall which hosts a number of community events, a primary school and a doctor's surgery.   Drinks, meals and accommodation are available at the Goil Inn.  Accommodation and many other amenities such as a gym, swimming pool and restaurants are available at Drimsynie Estate Holiday Village.

The area has many associations with outdoor activities, including the National Activity Centre for the Scouting Association and the Ardroy Outdoor Centre.    There are many famous local walks including the Donich Circular and parts of the Cowal way (a view of Lochgoilhead can be seen on the home page for the Cowal Way website).   The area is also incredibly rich in wildlife; [[red squirrel]], [[pine marten]], [[Eurasian otter|otters]], [[red deer]] and [[European badger|badgers]] are common, as well as [[Pinniped|seals]] and [[porpoises]] in the loch and [[eagle]]s and [[common buzzard|buzzards]] on the hills.<ref>{{cite web|title=Donich Website - Local Wildlife|url=http://www.donich.co.uk/marten-and-the-birds/|accessdate=10 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Donich Website - Pine Martens | url=http://www.donich.co.uk/some-more-wildlife/|website=Donich Website - Deer}}</ref> [[Wildcats]] used to be common in the area but may now be extinct locally.

There are a number of books about local history available, including 'Loch Goil – A slice out of paradise' (the name is a quote from the famous mountaineer WH Murray), 'Loch Goil – looking back' by Iain Smart and Rod/Tricia Philips, and 'The Lochgoil and Lochlong Steamboat Company' by Iain Smart.  There is a community website and the local newspaper 'The Wee Goil' is published monthly.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lochgoilhead Community Website|url=http://www.lochgoilhead.info/}}</ref>

Parts of the film ''[[From Russia with Love (film)|From Russia with Love]]'' were filmed locally, and [[Sean Connery]] stayed at the Goil Inn (then the Lochgoilhead Hotel).<ref>{{cite news|title=From Argyll with love: Lochgoilhead retains licence to thrill|url=http://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/18766670.argyll-love-lochgoilhead-retains-licence-thrill|last=McRoberts|first=Ally|newspaper=[[Dunfermline Press]]|date=3 October 2020|access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> ''[[Restless Natives]]'' also shows scenes near Lochgoilhead.