Kentallen lies on the shore of Loch Linnhe. Cycling, railway history and geology offer three different perspectives on the place. The cycle route to Ballachulish starts here; the Kentallen intrusion is the type locality of kentallenite. If you are looking for accommodation for a stay in Kentallen, you can first consider which of these topics will shape your travel plans.
Cycling on Loch Linnhe
The cycle route to Ballachulish starts in Kentallen and is part of the National Cycle Network. On the longer route between Oban and Ballachulish, much of the way follows the former railway line; for long stretches, the route runs along the coast. These are two different scales to consider when planning your trip: Kentallen is the starting point for the connection to Ballachulish, while the former railway line and coastal route describe the wider Oban–Ballachulish route. If cycling is your main interest, you can use this to consider whether Kentallen fits into your travel plans.
Geology and exposures
The Kentallen intrusion is the type locality of kentallenite, a melanocratic olivine monzonite. As the type locality, Kentallen is the geological reference point for this rock; “melanocratic” describes its dark character. The olivine monzonite of the Kentallen intrusion is well exposed in railway and road cuttings. Exposures of kentallenite are also found in the former railway cuttings immediately north of the former Kentallen station. If you plan to visit these sites, check current access conditions in advance, as vegetation and access may change.
Traces of railway history
Kentallen developed in the vicinity of the former railway line from Oban to Fort William. The Kentallen Station Water Tower was built in 1903 as part of the extension of the railway line from Connell Bridge to Ballachulish. The Holly Tree was originally Kentallen railway station. These details shed light on different aspects of railway history: the development of the place, a specific structure dating from 1903, and the station’s former function.
The maps also show specific historical details. A map from 1875 depicts the township of Kentallen with twelve roofed buildings, including a blacksmith’s forge. On the 1975 Ordnance Survey map, a church is marked among the buildings of the township of Kentallen. The two dates offer different insights: the 1875 map highlights the number of buildings and the forge, while the 1975 map shows the church. The Kentallen water tank was still standing in May 2015. If you plan to visit it, check its current condition in advance. The dates refer to different things: 1903 dates the construction of the water tower, 1875 and 1975 the maps, and May 2015 the condition of the Kentallen water tank at that time. The construction year, map dates and date of the condition report are thus separate historical references.
Hotel search and travel interests
Discover more destinations: Spean Bridge, Bunchrew, Shieldaig, Rosemarkie, Auchlunachan, Cannich, Whitefield, Isleornsay.
Return to the broader travel guide: Highland.
