Your Argyll holiday – off the beaten track |
Argyll is everything you would imagine the west coast of Scotland to be – and more, making it the perfect place for your holiday. It’s wild and remote, with hills, glens, rugged coast, white beaches, sea lochs, clear waters and ancient forests. Many of our properties are in the Cowal Peninsula, known as Argyll’s Secret Coast because of its undiscovered charm. You won’t find crowds of tourists here. What you will find is wildlife, tranquillity and stunning scenery. With all this on offer, your Argyll holiday will be one to remember.
Argyll is packed with places to visit and things to do. Sailors, walkers, cyclists and artists are all drawn to this area for its natural beauty. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and pubs serving up locally sourced food, including Loch Fyne’s world-famous seafood. And, of course, there’s a great range of holiday accommodation, from contemporary apartments to traditional cottages.
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| Things to do | | The wild and rugged land (and sea) of Argyll is one big outdoor playground. Take your pick from walking, cycling, horse-riding, sailing, sea fishing, windsurfing, fast speed RIB boat tours, quad biking, clay shooting and more. You might see deer, buzzards, otters, golden eagles, red squirrels and basking sharks while you’re out and about. |  | Quad Bike Trek | | OK, so it might not be peaceful, but it’s a lot fun. The trails are a combination of forest, farmland and open hillside in Argyll with spectacular views over the lochs. | | | | Tighnabruaich Sailing School | | Learn to sail in one of the most beautiful parts of the west coast of Scotland. The Kyles of Bute is perfect for dinghy sailing, with its sheltered waters and stunning views. | | | | Cowal Golf Club | | The Cowal Golf Club course is a James S. Braid designed, 18 hole, 6063 yard mature parkland course laid out above the Firth of Clyde on the Cowal peninsula. | | | | Holy Loch Sailing Club | | The club is situated in the village of Sandbank on the east side of the Holy Loch adjacent to Holy Loch Marina, just a couple of miles from Dunoon on the A885. | | | | Portavadie Marina | | Situated on Loch Fyne, Portavadie Marina is one of the UK’s most modern marinas, with deepwater, sheltered berthing and stunning purpose-built facilities. | | | | Forestry Commision Scotland | | Trails rise above the Firth of Clyde. They start just above Dunoon from Kilbride car park and run all the way along the hills down to Ardyne car park at Toward Point on the tip of the peninsula. You can walk, cycle, pony trek or just dawdle along numerous waymark routes. The views are glorious, the trails rich in wildlife and you can choose a long or short outing. | | | | Holy Loch Marina | | Competitive rates for long and short term berthing, storage and handling. | | | | Velvet Path Trekking Centre | | Beach and forest rides for experienced riders, riding courses, trail riding and excellent pony trekking for beginners. Specialist in riding for the disabled. TRSS and RDA approved. | | |
| | Places to visit | | From ruined castles to botanical gardens, Argyll is full of great visitor attractions. | | Benmore Gardens | | We urge you to visit Benmore when you come on your Argyll holiday. It’s a magnificent woodland garden set in the stunning Cowal Peninsula. Its 140 acres, entered via a Giant Redwood Avenue forming one of the finest entrances to any botanic garden in the world, contain a wide collection of flowering trees and shrubs including over 300 species of rhododendron – quite a sight in summer. | | | | Ardkinglas Woodland Garden | | Situated on the shores of Loch Fyne, against a spectacular background of mountain and forest, Ardkinglas House is an architectural treasure. Ardkinglas Woodland Gardens are open all the year round with an outstanding collection of plants and trees, including the tallest tree in Britain. There are several lovely walks throughout the gardens and the wider estate. | | | | Mount Stuart Isle of Bute | | Bute is a gem of an island and home to Mount Stuart, the astounding Victorian gothic mansion. The grounds are well worth a walk around too. | | | | Inveraray Castle | | Inveraray Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell. It’s an iconic building and a must on any Argyll holiday. | | | | Inveraray Jail | | The jail is a living museum and one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions. Kids love it because actors portray life in a 19th-century prison. | | | | Waverley Paddle Steamer | | Step aboard the Waverley, the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world. You can take day, afternoon or evening cruises from a number of Argyll ports. | | | | Castle House Museum | | It’s worth taking a look at the Castle House Museum, one of Dunoon’s most historic locations. The gardens are lovely and a great spot to have a picnic. | | |
| | Eating and Drinking Out | | Argyll is a foodie’s heaven. There’s bountiful fresh fish and seafood from its sea lochs and delicious venison and beef from the hills. There are lots of artisan producers in the area, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to try the local cheeses, honey, cold meats, smoked fish and preserves. You’ll find lots of restaurants and pubs serving up this fantastic local fare. | | Portavadie Marina | | Make sure your Argyll holiday includes a trip to Portavadie Marina. For award-winning food with panoramic views of Loch Fyne, it’s unbeatable. Fresh, locally sourced produce is the name of the game. It’s a striking building in a striking setting and you’ll get a warm Scottish welcome – kids and all. | | | | Chatters Restaurant | | Where the very best of Scottish produce is expertly prepared and served in unique surroundings. It’s won recommendations from A Taste of Scotland and Scotland the Best, and is recognised as one of the best dining experiences on the west coast of Scotland. | | | | Coylet Inn | | This 17th-century coaching inn has a stunning location on the banks of Lock Eck. It dishes up delicious home-made food made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. | | | | Loch Fyne Oyster Bar | | No Argyll holiday is complete without a trip to the world-famous Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, with its great food and views at the head of Loch Fyne. You can enjoy seasonal treats from pan-fried salmon with cockles and mussels to local vension in a red wine casserole. The fresh seafood platter is unbeatable. | | | | The Royal an Lochan | | This is a fantastic place in Tighnabruaich to relax and unwind. The views over Loch Fyne and down the Kyles of Bute are stunning. Open fires, superb seafood, good wines and malts –– everything that you would expect from a hotel on the west coast of Scotland. | | | | Inver Cottage | | Inver Cottage Restaurant and coffee house is a restored croft on the shores of Lachlan Bay, Loch Fyne. It’s the perfect place to unwind and sample some superb cooking based on local produce. Work up an appetite with a quick walk round to the ruined Lachlan Castle. | | | | The Creggans Inn Hotel | | We love the Creggans. It’s an historic country inn on the banks of Loch Fyne in Strachur and offers true Scottish hospitality (and not to mention award-winning food, a fabulous wine list and a great selection of whiskies). | | | | Kames Hotel | | This is a superb waterside pub and restaurant in Kames, near Tighnabruaich, over looking Loch Fyne. It does great bar snacks, lunches and evening meals, and there’s an al fresco dining area – perfect for a summer’s evening. It also has live music nights. | | | | The Pier, Guest House Bistro and Gallery, Kilmun | | It’s been described as a ‘wee, hidden gem’, and we can’t put it better than that: local ingredients, fantastic seafood, top-quality service and an art gallery to boot. | | | | Colintraive Hotel | Splendid lodge style Hotel, formerly a hunting lodge for the Marquis of Bute, the Colintraive Hotel dates back to the 1850’s and now still retains its original character. The hotel is located near the shores of the Kyles of Bute and has magnificent views over to the Island of Bute.
This beautiful Hotel is now under the ownership of Patricia Watt who has fully refurbished the hotel to its former glory. A warm welcome awaits all who visit this lovely area. Families and pets welcome.
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| | Festivals | | There are festivals galore in Argyll, celebrating the rich history, culture and fabulous food of this great Scottish region. Why not tie your Argyll holiday in with one of these events? For the big events, like the Cowal Games, it’s worth getting your accommodation booked well in advance. | | Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series, Tarbert – 1st to 4th June 2012 | | A firm fixture in everyone’s sailing diary, the Scottish Series is not to be missed. Tarbert and Portavadie come to life during this weekend. | | | | Cowal Highland Gathering, Dunoon - 23rd - 25th August 2012 | | The largest and most spectacular Highland Games in Scotland. It’s the home of the Pipe band Championship. The climax of the event sees the 130+ pipe bands get together and salute to the Chieftain. The sight and sound of 2,500 pipers and drummers playing ‘Highland Laddie’ in unison is an unforgettable experience. | | | | Cowalfest, Dunoon and surrounding area - 5th to 14th October 2012 | | Walk wild and free with this annual walking and arts festival. It’s a great way to explore this beautiful part of Argyll on foot. | | | | Loch Fyne Food Festival | | Here’s your chance to sample the very best of the west – good food, wine and entertainment. All the food featured is from Argyll producers and the ales are supplied by Fyne Ales. | | |
| | Galleries and Artists | | Artists are inspired by Argyll’s beautiful natural scenery and incredible light. You’ll find artists and galleries dotted all over the region. Look out for open studios weekends over the summer – they’re a great way to meet artists and see their art. | | Elaine Clark | | Elaine is an Argyll artist who works in glass, sculpture and life drawings. Her unique art works are inspired by nature, colour, light, landscape and the human form. | | | | Blairmore Gallery | | Browse the work of some of Scotland’s top artists and enjoy a cup of fair-trade tea or coffee. | | | | Fyne Studios | | Also known as ‘The Hidden Gallery’, you’ll find Fyne Studios deep in the Argyll countryside. It’s well worth the effort though. The work is inspired by the wild and rugged Scottish landscape along with the ever changing weather and dramatic lighting that is only seen in the west coast of Scotland. | | | | Tighnabruaich Gallery | | The small but perfectly formed gallery lies in the heart of Tighnabruaich backing on to the beautiful Kyles of Bute. It specialises in contemporary Scottish artists and hosts a series of exhibitions throughout the year so the walls are constantly changing. | | |
| | Visitor guides | | Some online guides for visitors to Argyll. | | Visit Scotland | | Visit Scotland’s guide to the Isle of Bute and the Cowal Peninsula. | | | | Visit Cowal | | A great guide to what to see and do in Cowal, including events and festivals. | | | | Visit Glendaruel | | Find out about things to do and places to see in Glendaruel, known as ’A Gentler Highlands’. | | |
| | Local Businesses | | Just in case you need anything while you’re in the area... | | Acoustic-Soundz | | A local cover band that will get your party jumping. | | | | Waterside Property | | Estate agency based in Dunoon | | | | GTI-Solutions | | Supplier of products and services to the UK energy efficiency and home safety sectors. Fulfilment, call centre, Print & Ink, Holiday company. | | | | Stewart Mcnee Builders | | Local builder. | | | | Cowal Building Supplies | | | | | Total Holiday Experience | | Travel agency specialising in Australia, skiing and cruise holidays. | | | | Delicate Essence | | Delicate Essence is a busy, family-run Delicatessen lying in the village of Kirn on the banks of the River Clyde. | | | | Fyne Photography | | Specialising in landscapes, flower-portraits and weddings. Also one-to-one tuition for budding camera enthusiasts. | | | | Fyne Ales Scotland | | Local ales brewed at the head of Loch Fyne. Visit the brewery shop to learn more about our quality local beers. | | | | Tents and Events | | Marquee hire and event support. | | | | Here We Are | A community development resource.
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