C42 (Argyll and Bute)

This article is about the Class III road numbered C42 maintained by Argyll and Bute Council.
For other roads numbered C42, see C42.

The C42 is a lengthy route which runs down the east side of Loch Sween in Knapdale. It is a very scenic route, with great views across the loch and beyond towards Jura,

Looking north along the shores of Loch Sween

The route starts at a fork junction on the B8025, next to a war memorial in the form of a Celtic cross in the forest to the south of Bellanoch. It heads south, winding through the trees and passing a handful of properties as it slowly loses height. There are glimpses of Loch Coille Bharr near the start, and a couple of parking areas provide paths through the forest and along the shores of the various small lochs that stud this part of Knapdale. At length, the road emerges at the head of Loch Sween, and winds round to follow its eastern shore. Before long, it turns away, back into the forest, and snakes around some meandering bends to another part of the loch, separated by a long promontory. The small forestry village of Achnamara sits a short distance along the shore, the rows of wooden houses standing almost at the waters edge. A little beyond the village, and opposite the tidal Eilean Mhartan, a road forks left and climbs up to the tiny village of Kirkmichael of Inverlussa.

The C42 continues along the shore for a couple of miles, passing a scattering of houses, before climbing a little into the forestry. Just before the loch is left, there is a brief glimpse into the bay that shelters the village of Tayvallich on the B8025 on the western shore of the loch. Although running parallel to the loch, and never far from it, there are long stretches where the view is hidden. Back on the shore, there are fine views across the loch at the confusion of low lying islands and the long headland that form the western shore of Loch Sween. The hills of Jura rise up beyond, creating a spectacular panorama. After about a mile and a half of stunning coastal scenery, the road climbs away from the shore once more, but not into the forest this time. Although there are patches of trees, for the most part the views remain, out across the loch, and once the road has climbed away from the water, there are stunning views to north and south as well.

The ruined Castle Sween can be seen down on a rocky outcrop near the shore, now surrounded by a holiday park, and the hill above to the left is the site of an iron age fort. The road undulates gently across the hillside, following a series of short straights and long gentle bends. The routes summit of just over 60m is crossed and then the road winds down to the tiny village of Kilmory, clustered around a ruined chapel. A beautiful sandy beach lies below the village, offering stunning views across the Sound of Jura to Jura, and Islay too. The road, meanwhile, winds on, over the hillside, past a farm, and then round a sweeping bend to Balimore, where it ends in a large parking area / turning head. From here, a private track cuts across the tip of this long peninsula to find the minor road at Ellary on the shores of Loch Caolisport.