Furnace: Ironworks, Historic Paths and Forest

Furnace combines industrial history, historic paths, churches and woodland landscapes to create a destination with an unusually distinctive character. The Furnace Ironworks, the Leacainn Forest Walk and several reminders of the village’s history offer different perspectives on a stay. If you are travelling with children, you can shape your days around your interests: after exploring the history of the ironworks, discover waterfalls and old bridges or gain an insight into life in the village today.

Furnace and the History of the Ironworks

The Furnace Ironworks are designated as a Scheduled Monument. They were founded in 1755 by the Duddon Co. from Cumbria under a 57-year lease from the Duke of Argyll. The surviving parts include a blast furnace, a casting house and a three-storey blowing house. The former charcoal store in Furnace is also notable: it is designated as a Category A listed building.

The industrial past is not limited to the buildings themselves. In the 18th century, the Durran to Furnace Drove Road was used to transport charcoal from the forests of Loch Awe to the ironworks in Furnace. Gunpowder was transported by ship from the harbour at Furnace. These connections make Furnace interesting for travellers who want to learn about historic places not only through individual buildings, but also through the transport and production routes of their time.

Historic Paths, Bridges and Water

The Durran to Furnace Drove Road crosses the A83 and leads to an 18th-century double-arched stone bridge. For your travel planning, this route provides another historic point of interest alongside the Furnace Ironworks.

Another side of Furnace is revealed by the Leacainn Forest Walk. It includes waterfalls and old bridges, adding a landscape perspective to the industrial history. The Powder Mills are also connected with water: water power was used there to drive the mills. A channel was also constructed for the Powder Mills to bring water from the River Leacan near Brenchoille Bridge.

Churches and What the Village Offers Today

Several churches are also part of the village’s history. Furnace Church opened on 10 August 1841. Furnace Baptist Church opened for worship on 28 December 1884. Regular services are held at the Church of Scotland at Cumlodden in Furnace. Those interested in architecture, religious history and the development of a community will find several different points of connection here, without reducing Furnace to its ironworks.

The Furnace Village Shop and Post Office represents the practical side of the village. It offers essential goods seven days a week and also has an extensive takeaway selection. Alongside the historic sights, this provides a concrete local amenity for getting your bearings in the area.

Furnace as a Base for Planning Your Holiday

When choosing a holiday cottage in Furnace, you can tailor the focus of your trip to your interests. Those particularly interested in technological and industrial history can explore the Furnace Ironworks, the Drove Road, the stone bridge and the Powder Mills. Those who want to place greater emphasis on the landscape can explore the Leacainn Forest Walk, the waterfalls and the old bridges. The churches and the Village Shop and Post Office add local history and everyday life to this selection. This allows the trip to be adapted to different age groups and preferences for how to spend each day, without attributing any unsubstantiated characteristic to the village.

More Destinations to Choose From

If you would also like to compare other places during your further search, you can find Kames, Strachur, Dalmally, Helensburgh, Taynuilt, Port Ellen, Colintraive and Tighnabruaich here.

For the broader travel overview: Argyll And Bute.