Durran to Furnace Drove Road Show path on map
Start location: Furnace ( NN024001 )
End location: Durran ( NM 959 080 )
Geographical area: Argyll and Bute
Path type: Drove Road
Path distance: 14km
Accessibility info: Suitable for pedestrians
Route Description
Our description follows the route south to north, from Furnace to Durran.
The right of way starts in Furnace by its bridge over the Leacann Water. It is followed by the waymarked Leacainn Walk northeast then north on forest tracks to NN024018 where an opening in the woods to the left provides access to the A83, crossing which leads to a lovely 18th-century double arched stone bridge. Cross this and turn north, now following the western side of Leacainn Walk’s loop along the Leacann Water. Reaching another historic bridge (NN019027) over the Leacann Water, this one partnered by a forestry bridge, don’t cross these but instead head up a steep track northwest into forest. After 200m, take a path to the right (waymarker post behind a bush). Continue north west and west through mixed forest and cleared ground, crossing two gravel roads and the Leacann Water (which may require wading; NN009034) to reach Loch Leacann. Then go northwest past Loch Àirigh na Craige to re-enter the forest. After 1km, cross the Allt nan Sac by a small footbridge and join another road at NM985048. Turn southwest along it for 600m, then take the right-hand fork at the junction to go northwest above the northeast side of the Abhainn a’ Bhealaich, forking left at the junction at NM971064. Reaching a waymarker post at NM963075, a path diverges left and down from the forest road. Follow this and after 300m reach a waymarked gate into a field, passing through this to reach the cottages at Durran. Go down a short tarred track to reach the B840. This path may be overgrown and waterlogged, and beset by forestry related difficulties. An alternative is to stay on the forest road at NM963075, by which the B840 is reached 500m northeast of Durran
The route is sign-posted off both the A83 and B840. Car parking is available opposite Auchindrain Folk Museum. Car parking is not advised at the SROWS sign at Durran due to local considerations, but is available about 500m northeast of Durran, opposite the forest road alternative mentioned above.
Heritage Information
This old drove road from Durran was possibly used by Alasdair MacColla's army in the 17th Century. It meets the conjoined Muir of Leckan rights of way from Kilmichael Glassary and Kilneuair at the 'high bridge of Leckan' (NN019027).
According to local tradition, the last wolf in Argyll was killed near the Leacann burn by a woman returning from Loch Awe, who having been attacked by the animal, stabbed it with her spindle before she died. This route was used by caravans of packhorses in the eighteenth century, carrying huge bags of charcoal from the woods of Loch Awe to the iron works at Furnace [ - with thanks to Discovering Argyll, Mull and Iona by Willie Orr (1990)].
