6 Autumn Activities in Dunoon & Cowal
Recommended by local CiorsdanTake autumnal walks, savour gastro delights, explore with a tour, enjoy immersive experiences, discover architectural gems, and take in a festival in Dunoon and Cowal this Autumn. There’s so much to do, like soaking in an infinity pool on the edge of Loch Fyne, drinking locally brewed beer at the Fyne Ales Oktoberfest, or taking a walk through Kilmun Arboretum. There’s something for everyone at this time of year. Here six suggestions for things to do over Autumn in Dunoon and Cowal.
Take Autumnal Walks
Take Autumnal Walks: Kilmun Arboretum is a hillside woodland near Dunoon with over 150 tree species. Benmore Gardens has a world-famous collection of plants, and along the Loch Eck West track beside it is a great area to enjoy the autumnal colours too. Glen Massan is another beautiful place to walk at this time of year. Look out for red squirrels while you’re at all of these spots.
Savour Gastro Delights
The Colintraive use locally sourced produce of the finest quality, including fresh langoustines and fish from Tarbet, Isle of Bute lamb and beef, local venison, and locally roasted coffee. At Loch Fyne Oyster Bar you can choose from a whole range of delicious seafood, such as Loch Fyne farmed oysters, smoked mussels and smoked salmon. Kames Hotel uses locally sourced meat and seafood to provide nourishing food on the shores of Loch Fyne. The Blairmore café offers delicious baguettes, homemade soup and small meals using local produce such as smoked salmon and venison, and has a variety of homemade sweet treats. It is situated in one of the shore villages at the entrance to Loch Long, about a 20 minute drive from Dunoon. At Portavadie Marina restaurant and bar you can sample a wide selection of produce from Argyll's larder from a waterfront restaurant or eat al fresco, after having soaked in the infinity pool overlooking Loch Fyne.
Explore with a Tour
Heathery Heights offers guided walks, adventures and experiences across Cowal and beyond, including foraging and navigation experiences. Kathy Cameron has a 7-seater drive and is a blue badge tour guide and can deliver tours in Spanish as well as English. The Wild Scot offers luxury Merecedes V class guided tours and is also a blue badge tourist guide.
Enjoy Immersive Experiences
Book a spa experience at Portavadie, which has therapeutic spa treatments, a hydro pool, a Scandinavian sauna, steam room and a relaxation space, all with beautiful views across Loch Fyne, to the dramatic Isle of Arran. Also on site are an indoor pool, an outside heated infinity pool and gym facilities. Or take a trip to Fyne Ales and book a brewery tour (available Saturdays and Sundays), where you’ll hear about the history of the estate home, their two breweries and how they make their award-winning beer. You can also check out their shop and enjoy a drink in their great beer garden.
Discover Architectural Gems
Ardkinglas House is located on the shores of Loch Fyne. The present house was completed in the autumn of 1907 and is generally considered to be the architect Sir Robert Lorimer’s masterpiece. It was built at a time when traditional materials were skilfully and creatively mastered by expert craftsmen but when a wealth of new technology could be incorporated into the design. Dunoon Burgh Hall is a historic hall used as a cultural hub, for exhibitions and events. Designed by architect, Robert Alexander Bryden the building dates from 1873, when its foundation stone was laid. There are also a couple of historic working piers in Cowal, in the villages of Tighnabruaich and Blairmore. These piers used to have regular visits from steamer boats coming “doon the watter” from Glasgow. Nowadays they still receive visits from the last seagoing paddle steamer boat in the world, The Waverley.
Take in an Event/Festival
Cowalfest is a walking festival held across a variety of locations in Cowal, with a range activities to suit all. Cowal Open Studios is when artists and makers open their doors to the public and is held across a variety of venues throughout Cowal. Oktoberfest is an annual beer festival, with music and food, held at Fyne Ales, in Cairndow near Loch Fyne. Dunoon Presents runs a host of events including Dunoon TradFest, a yearly traditional music festival held across a variety of venues in Dunoon and the Dunoon Ultra Marathon and Relay, with spectacular views if you fancy booking a challenge for while you’re on holiday.
Explore Dunoon & Cowal
What are you looking for?Dunoon & Cowal in Pictures
Beautiful and diverse, from the towering mountains in the north to the mellow scenery and sea lochs of the south. Catch a boat trip from a variety of destinations in Cowal on one of the last sea-going paddle steamers in the world.
Find your place to stay from luxury hotels for a relaxing retreat to holiday parks and self catering options for adventure seekers, and everything in-between.
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