Furnace, Argyll
Furnace
| |
|---|---|
The old iron furnace | |
Location within Argyll and Bute | |
| OS grid reference | NN 02477 00182 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | INVERARAY |
| Postcode district | PA32 |
| Dialling code | 01499 |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Furnace (Scottish Gaelic: An Fhùirneis) (formerly Inverleacainn (Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Leacainn)) is a village in Argyll and Bute, on the west coast of Scotland, on the north shore of Loch Fyne, the longest sea loch in the United Kingdom. Furnace is around eight miles southwest of Inveraray on the A83 road.
It is unusual for a West Highland village in having an industrial past in addition to the usual focus on agriculture and fishing. Industrial activity was led by three main businesses: the iron furnace, the powdermills and the quarry. Furnace and its population today are very different from what they were in its industrial heyday. From a village with 200 working stone-cutters alone, Furnace in 2008 has a total population of little over 200, many retired or semi-retired.