Discover Cowal
The Cowal Peninsula is as beautiful as it is diverse, from the towering Munros of the north to the mellow scenery and sea lochs of the south. Paddle steamers used to bring throngs of Glaswegian holidaymakers ‘doon the watter’ to its shores. Today, you won’t find any crowds, but you will find plenty of opportunity for outdoor adventures, including kayaking, Sailing, quad biking, hiking and stunning views.
Cowal’s only major town, Dunoon, hosts the Cowal Highland Gathering, the biggest Highland Games in the world, and is home to the outstanding Benmore Botanic Gardens. Head south west and you’ll come to Argyll’s Secret Coast, an undiscovered area of sparkling sea lochs and picturesque villages. This is world-class sailing country.
Explore Cowal
Itineraries
Featured Experiences
Events & Festivals in Cowal
Kames Autumn Producers' Market
Cowal Open Studios
Dunoon Outdoors Festival
Latest blogs about Cowal
Eilidh Cameron discovers Argyll & Glasgow
In spring this year, Eilidh Cameron set off on an eight-day adventure around Argyll and Glasgow, armed with her camera, as part of our Heart & Soul Campaign.
The Castle Hunter explores Argyll
Back in April this year, we asked blogger, presenter, writer and history buff David C Weinczok, also known as The Castle Hunter, to spend six days exploring the historic sites of Argyll & the Isles as part of our ‘Heart & Soul’ campaign.
Visit beautiful Ostel Bay, but please park sensibly or better still cycle there!
Ostel Bay is simply stunning. This crescent-shaped sweep of sand is the jewel in the crown of Argyll’s Secret Coast. But please park sensibly, or better still cycle there!
Everything there is to see and do in Dunoon and Cowal
About Argyll Walking Holidays
Dunoon and Cowal
Walking and climbing
Enjoy high-quality, personal walking holidays and hiking tours in beautiful but undiscovered parts of Argyll and The Isles and beyond.
Ardentinny Beach and Forest Walks
Dunoon and Cowal
Beaches and islands
Ardentinny Beach is a lovely picnic spot, and popular with families. It's part of the Argyll Forest park, and there are some lovely easy trails, some which are suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.
Ascog Castle
Dunoon and Cowal
Walking and climbing
The ruined Ascog Castle, on the shores of Ascog Loch near Tighnabruaich in Argyll's Secret Coast, dates back to the 15th century.
Benmore Botanic Garden
Dunoon and Cowal
Gardens
Benmore with its magnificent mountainside setting is a joy to behold.
Bikepacking Wild About Argyll Trail
Dunoon and Cowal
Cycling and mountain biking
The Wild About Argyll Trail provides an amazing cycling adventure on gravel tracks, forest roads, singletrail, quiet roads and cycle paths to discover Scotland's Adventure Coast.
Castle House Museum
Dunoon and Cowal
History and heritage
Castle House Museum is an historic building set in gardens opposite Dunoon Pier.
Castle Lachlan
Dunoon and Cowal
Landmarks and attractions
Castle Lachlan lies on the eastern shore of Loch Fyne, near Newton.
Cormonachan Woodlands
Dunoon and Cowal
Wildlife and nature
This lovely woodland sit on the west shore of Loch Goil half way between Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle in Argyll Forest Park.
Loch Lomond & Cowal Way
Dunoon and Cowal
Walking and climbing
The Loch Lomond & Cowal Way, is one of Scotland’s Great Trails. It runs for 57 miles (92 km) across the Cowal Peninsula, starting at Portavadie on Loch Fyne and ending at Inveruglas on Loch Lomond shore.
The Majestic Line
Dunoon and Cowal
Sailing and boating
Over the past 15 years The Majestic Line has established small-ship cruising on the west coast of Scotland and are knowledgeable and passionate about the wonderful coastline and waters of Argyll and the Isles.
Ostel Bay
Dunoon and Cowal
Beaches and islands
This crescent-shaped sweep of sand is the jewel in the crown of Argyll’s Secret Coast.
DC Marine Boat Trips
Dunoon and Cowal
Tours, trips and trails
Join ex-naval commander Donald Clark on board his refurbished fishing boat Morag for spectacular views of Argyll’s Secret Coast from the sea.
Dunan’s Castle
Dunoon and Cowal
Landmarks and attractions
Dunans Castle sits at the head of Glendaruel. The seat of the Clan Fletcher, the historic structure was shown on maps as far back as 1590.
Dunoon to Portavadie Cycle
Dunoon and Cowal
Cycling and mountain biking
National Route 75 of the National Cycle Network connects Leith with Portavadie and Tarbert via Edinburgh, Glasgow and the ferries between Gourock and Dunoon.
Glen Donich Trail
Dunoon and Cowal
Cycling and mountain biking
The Glen Donich Trail is a 2.5 mile circular Forestry Commission route at Lochgoilhead.
Glenbranter Forest
Dunoon and Cowal
Wildlife and nature
Glenbranter Forest is part of the Argyll Forest Park, a magnificent stretch of rugged hill country
Gruffalo Trail
Dunoon and Cowal
Family activities
The Gruffalo Trail, set within Ardkinglas Woodland Garden, Cairndow, is fantastic fun for kids of all ages.
Puck’s Glen
Dunoon and Cowal
Wildlife and nature
Puck's Glen, just outside Dunoon, is a magical woodland world.
Quadmania
Dunoon and Cowal
Adventure
Quadmania is based on 2000 acres overlooking Loch Long, in a beautiful setting for 5-star activities to remember.
Kilmodan Stones
Dunoon and Cowal
Landmarks and attractions
Discover this group of fascinating historic west Highland carved grave slabs.
Kyles of Bute Golf Course
Dunoon and Cowal
Golf
The Kyles of Bute course offers truly panoramic views across the water to the Island of Bute.
Strachur Park
Dunoon and Cowal
Wildlife and nature
Strachur Park was originally laid out in 1789, and covers some four hundred acres of pasture broken up by stately avenues and stands of mature trees - mostly limes, beeches and Scots firs.
Forests and woodlands of Argyll
Dunoon and Cowal
Wildlife and nature
Follow this journey to discover some of Argyll’s finest forests and extraordinary ‘heritage trees’, including the tallest tree in the UK.
Five Ferries
Dunoon and Cowal
Tours, trips and trails
The Five Ferries is a unique circular route that takes in some of Argyll’s most stunning peninsulas and sea lochs, as well as the lovely Isle of Bute.
Tighnabruaich Gallery
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
Tig Gallery is a fantastic art gallery sitting at the heart of the seaside village of Tighnabruaich on Argyll's Secret Coast.
Tom a'Chuig Trail
Dunoon and Cowal
Walking and climbing
Tom a'Chuig Trail is a 3.5 mile Forestry Commission trail that has a bit of everything, magnificent views across the River Goil
Wilder Ways
Dunoon and Cowal
Horseriding
Wilder Ways offers a range of trail-riding experiences. There’s something for all level and ability of rider.
Ardlamont Loop Cycle
Dunoon and Cowal
Cycling and mountain biking
This ten-mile loop around Ardlamont on Argyll's Secret Coast is one all the family can tackle.
Portavadie & Ascog Loop Cycle
Dunoon and Cowal
Cycling and mountain biking
This cycle route near Portavadie may be short, but it’s a gem. It offers stunning scenery, epic views, a loch, a ruined castle and some great, but not too challenging, off-road riding.
The Bealach Maim Cycle
Dunoon and Cowal
Cycling and mountain biking
This circular ride may be only 30 miles in length but it's only one for fit cyclists. It includes the forebodingly named, frighteningly steep, and undeniably challenging Bealach Maim.
Tighnabruaich Back Road Walk
Dunoon and Cowal
Walking and climbing
This is a short walk takes you high above Tighnabruaich along the Back Road and returns along the shorefront. It gives you amazing elevated views.
Carry Farm Shore Walk
Dunoon and Cowal
Walking and climbing
This circular walk around Carry Point is a cracker, with magnificent views of Bute, Inchmarnock and Arran, a flock of Hebridean sheep and some fabulous wildlife.
Glenan Wood
Dunoon and Cowal
Walking and climbing
Walk through Glenan Wood, a 146 hectares of ancient woodland on ‘Argyll’s Secret Coast’ on the Cowal Peninsula.
Kilfinan Community Forest
Dunoon and Cowal
Walking and climbing
Kilfinan Community Forest is a wonderful woodland environment to explore, with a range of walks and wildlife to discover.
Millhouse to Ostel Bay Walk
Dunoon and Cowal
Walking and climbing
This is a wonderful walk that will take you along forest track, rough woodland path and fields to beautiful Ostel Bay.
Rhubaan to Caladh Walk
Dunoon and Cowal
Walking and climbing
This is a lovely, all-ability walk for the family. It’s part of the Loch Lomond and Cowal Way, a 57-mile long-distance walk which runs the length of the Cowal Peninsula.
Stillaig Loop Walk
Dunoon and Cowal
Walking and climbing
This walk has got everything: stunning coastal views, wildlife, standing stones, a beach and loads of wide open space. What’s more, you’ll probably have it all to yourself.
Barr Nan Damh Walk
Dunoon and Cowal
Walking and climbing
Barr Nan Damh is a little hump of a hill that rises up behind Glenan Wood near Portavadie. The walk up to the summit is short and steep but the panoramic pay-off makes it well worth the effort.
Kyles of Bute Golf Course Walks
Dunoon and Cowal
Walking and climbing
There are several lovely walks that start at the Kyles of Bute Golf Course above Kames.
Glenan Bay
Dunoon and Cowal
Beaches and islands
Glenan Bay is a wild and rugged pebbled beach with magnificent views across Loch Fyne.
Otter Bay
Dunoon and Cowal
Beaches and islands
Otter Bay must have one of the finest views in the west. The huge Otter spit stretches right out into the loch and is always teeming with birdlife.
Millhouse Gunpowder Works
Dunoon and Cowal
History and heritage
The village of Millhouse was home to a thriving gunpowder mill. Production at Millhouse started in 1839 and ran until 1921. At its peak, the Mill comprised around 40 buildings in total.
Sailing on Argyll's Secret Coast
Dunoon and Cowal
Sailing and boating
Scenery, wild life, protective hills, deep water, silent anchorages, relaxed tides, no crowds; Argyll’s Secret Coast is Scotland at its best and perfect for sailing.
Fly Fishing on The Ruel
Dunoon and Cowal
Fishing and country sports
The River Ruel, which flows through beautiful area of Glendaruel, provides wonderful salmon and seatrout fishing.
Kyles of Bute Angling Club
Dunoon and Cowal
Fishing and country sports
Fly fish for brown and rainbow trout on three stocked lochs set amidst wild and beautiful scenery near Tighnabruaich, Argyll. Fish on Ascog Loch and the Powder Dam Lochs. Visitor Permits are available daily, weekly and monthly from Kames Post Office, Royal and Lochan and Portavadie Marina.
Botanica at The Barn
Dunoon and Cowal
Food and drink
Enjoy locally roasted coffee and the very best of local produce at this lovely rural cafe.
Eat at Kilfinan Hotel
Dunoon and Cowal
Food and drink
Dine on good, honest food using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
The Oystercatcher
Dunoon and Cowal
Food and drink
The Oystercatcher is a pub and restaurant on the east banks of Loch Fyne at Otter Ferry. The location is pretty unbeatable, as it sits right on the beach looking out over the loch.
Evanachan Farm
Dunoon and Cowal
Food and drink
Pick up seasonal organic produce from Evanachan Farm, eggs, fresh flowers, jams, chutneys and Fi's cheese made with milk from her Jersey cows.
Kames Village Store
Dunoon and Cowal
Food and drink
Kames Village Store is a traditional grocers based in the heart of Kames on Argyll’s Secret Coast.
Carry Farm
Dunoon and Cowal
Accommodation
Carry Farm sits in 60 acres of coastal wilderness on the Kyles of Bute about two miles south of Kames. It’s an idyllic spot for a self-catering holiday. You can also enjoy The dairy Gallery
Portavadie, Loch Fyne
Dunoon and Cowal
Accommodation
Portavadie provides stunning four- and five-star holiday accommodation right on the banks of Loch Fyne.
Tregortha B & B
Dunoon and Cowal
Accommodation
Tregortha is a traditional stone-built Victorian villa from the 19th century in the village of Tighnabruaich.
Acharossan House
Dunoon and Cowal
Accommodation
This beautifully renovated 18th-century Georgian laird’s house provides luxury self-catering accommodation for eleven.
Allt Beag
Dunoon and Cowal
Accommodation
Set on a hillside in the seaside village of Tighnabruaich, Argyll, it’s an elegant, detached self-catering holiday house that sleeps eight.
Argyll Self Catering Holidays
Dunoon and Cowal
Accommodation
Argyll Self-Catering Holidays hand picks the best holiday cottages across Argyll.
Home Farm Cottages
Dunoon and Cowal
Accommodation
The seven pretty holiday cottages at Home Farm at Glendaruel sit in the peaceful wooded valley of the River Ruel.
Douglas Park Guest House
Dunoon and Cowal
Accommodation
This elegant Victorian Villa has a perfect position on the seafront in the village of Kirn only one mile from Dunoon town centre.
Abbots Brae Hotel
Dunoon and Cowal
Accommodation
Romantically secluded accommodation set in the tranquil seaside village of Dunoon.
Auchinbreck Farm
Dunoon and Cowal
Food and drink
We are a small family business dedicated to the survival of rare breed pigs, sheep and goats. All of our animals are out door bred or free range and fed the highest quality food. We supply quality restaurants in Argyll with free range pork - from whole pigs to pork belly & trotters.
Winston Churchill Venison
Dunoon and Cowal
Food and drink
We are a very small, family run business that takes great pride in all that we do. Located in an Argyllshire forest, very near to Dunoon with breath taking views into Glen Kin and Kilmun hills across the Holy Loch.
Blairmore Gallery and Coffee Shop
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
Blairmore Gallery and coffee shop sells locally made, Scottish art and handmade crafts as well as homemade soup and scones.
Historic Kilmun
Dunoon and Cowal
History and heritage
The Argyll Mausoelum is located adjacent to Kilmun Church in the village of Kilmun, Argyll, Scotland on the shores of the Holy Loch. The history of Scotland has been associated with this area for thousands of years.
Caol Ruadh, Scotland’s Sculpture Park
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
Scottish Sculpture Park at Caol Ruadh (pronounced ‘col ru’) tucked away on the Kyles of Bute on Argyll’s secret coast, is a unique outdoor gallery promoting and selling contemporary sculpture created in Scotland.
Cedarbank Studio
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
Living by the Scottish National Park, influenced by the ever-changing weather, surrounded by rugged coastlines and overlooking the sea; Cedarbank Studio produces pieces which shout about everything that is special in this corner of the world.
David Atherton
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
Following training in Manchester and London I have been employed within the field of arts and education for over 35 years, continually exhibiting work and participating in residencies worldwide.
Frank and Anne Stephenson
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
My fully integrated glass studio was formerly the coach house stables. I work with all aspects of fused and stained glass.
Fyne Wood
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
At Fynewood, starting with locally sourced trees and using our sawmill, we produce timber for local sale and use in our creations: furniture, log structures, home accessories, gifts, signs and the amazing unique World Woods Library.
Guy Elder
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
Exploring the Soul and Strength of Wood, creating one of a kind unique sculptures and structures in Scottish hard woods.
Juno Design Gallery
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
Visit us in Dunoon, on the beautiful Cowal Peninsula. Enjoy our pleasant surroundings where you will find our extensive range of gifts, jewellery, crafts, paintings & prints, many of which are made in Scotland.
Queens Hall Dunoon
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
A newly refurbished multipurpose building boasts our main event hall which can hold numbers up to 1000 standing, 700 seated and standing and up to 500 seated for concerts and other varied events. Weddings and private parties can also be arranged on request.
Kilmodan Sculptured Stones
Dunoon and Cowal
History and heritage
The Kilmodan Sculptured Stones comprise nine late-medieval West Highland grave slabs and one post-Reformation grave slab from 1636. An 11th stone was believed to be the head of the medieval Cross of Garvie, but is now thought to be a stone pillar worn to its present shape by its use as a tethering post.
Orains
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
Orains is the art and design partnership between Pieter van der Werf and Fiona Page. We create textile art made by hand with Scottish wool and natural dyes only on the shores of the Kyles of Bute NSA.
Sea Drift Pottery
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
Sea Drift Pottery is a small pottery workshop hidden away in the Holy Loch Marina. Small batches of ceramics are made to order on the pottery wheel and are decorated with layers of coloured clays and glazes to evoke the surrounding shorelines and hillsides. These ceramics are mostly sent out to galleries and shops in Argyll and beyond but there is a selection of work to view and buy at the studio.
Seatree
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
We create from clay and driftwood, with our own poetry, simple beautiful things inspired by the landscapes, light and life in Argyll. You are welcome to visit or take part in a pottery workshop.
Turmeau Jewellery
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
I make one off, hand crafted Sterling silver jewellery with various gemstones, from diamonds to agates. Mostly commissions work these days but have jewellery at a few select places in Cowal. I offer 1 day workshops, come and make yourself a wee piece of silver jewellery, with my help. Im fast approaching a 1/2 century on this planet, live in beautiful Cowal and have a husband and 2 dogs. If my A frame is outside Im in! Or a quick phone call to check.
Woollyhatz
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
Machine knitted and hand crocheted hats and accessories made in Scotland
Kenneth Steven
Dunoon and Cowal
Music, art and culture
Kenneth Steven is the son of writing parents. He grew up in Highland Perthshire in the heart of Scotland, and now lives in Argyll on the country’s west coast; it’s these landscapes that have inspired the lion’s share of both his poetry and prose.
Strachur Smiddy and Craftshop
Dunoon and Cowal
History and heritage
Strachur Smiddy is probably unique in two respects at least. Firstly, for most of its operational life, it was in the hands of the Montgomery family, spanning four generations of village blacksmiths. Secondly, the contents have remained virtually untouched since the day of closure, thus providing a unique record of the technology of the blacksmith and his craft.
