Visit Beautiful Ostel Bay on the Cowal Peninsula

On a sunny day, it’s the perfect place to spend the day, paddling, sunbathing and swimming. There’s plenty of room for a game of rounders or football when the tide’s out. It’s a good walk along the length of the beach, and there are plenty of opportunities for beach combing – look out for the lovely shells.

After a day at the beach, head to Portavadie for a meal or to the charming coastal town of Tighnabruaich. Here, you can enjoy a coffee at Argyll Coffee Roasters, located right next to the charming Hayshed Gallery. Also, pop by Argyll Botany across from the gallery to pick up some natural cosmetics!

Ostel Bay is a huge beach, so even in the summer it never feels crowded. However, parking is a bit of an issue. You can park in the layby by Kilbride Farm, but it does get quite full. There’s another area where you can park just up the hill past Kilbride Farm. Please don’t block the road. This has happened on sunny days during the holidays, with badly parked cars blocking traffic from passing. It’s absolutely critical that emergency vehicles should be able to pass. If a car is blocking the road, you should call 101 and let the police know and the vehicle will be removed.