Great Days Out in Argyll & the Isles

Scotland's Family Coast

Make a day of it in Argyll & the Isles. Choose from beaches, castles, gardens, and boat trips, whether you’re staying nearby or visiting from the Central Belt. Pick an area to explore and check journey times, opening days and any booking requirements before you set off

Find Your Next Day Out

Explore the options below, then check with each attraction or activity provider for seasonal opening and availability
Day Trips
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Beaches
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Eilean Garbh Beaches Rh Gigha
Golf
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Golf In Cowal
Attractions
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Boat Trips
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Wreckspeditions Boat Charter
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Mount Stuart Trust Gardens

Set against a striking Firth of Clyde backdrop, our 300 acres of gardens boast arboricultural and horticultural collections of global significance.

From spri...

Mount Stuart
Isle of Bute
Argyll
PA20 9LR

Tel: +44 (0) 1700 503877

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Castle Stalker

Castle Stalker – in the Gaelic, Stalcaire, meaning Hunter or Falconer – is believed originally to have been the site of a Fortalice (a small fortified buildi...

Castle Stalker
Appin
PA38 4BL

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Geilston Garden, National Trust for Scotland

Patches of colour, tasty vegetables and a succession of seasonal plants make this a classic garden with a vibrant feel. Geilston is typical of the small coun...

Geilston Garden
Main Road
Cardross
G82 5HD

Tel: 01389 849187

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Islay Sea Adventures

Islay Sea Adventures is a boat tour company based on the beautiful Isle of Islay, Scotland. We offer a unique way to explore Islay through our wide variety o...

Trip departure Address:
Port Ellen Pontoons
Port Ellen
Isle of Islay
PA42 7DW

Tel: 01496 300129

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Dark Skies Gigha

Gigha’s night sky on a clear night is exceptional. Gigha’s night sky on a clear night is exceptional with a Bortle rating of 2 (1 is the darkest skies and 9...

Dark Skies Gigha
Isle of Gigha
Argyll
PA41 7AA

Tel: 01583 505 310

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Kinlochlaich Walled Garden, Woodland Walk and Garden Centre

Set within and around the historic Kinlochlaich Walled Garden, laid out around 1790 by John Campbell of Lochend, the gardens offer a rich blend of history an...

Kinlochlaich House
Appin
PA38 4BG

Tel: 07881525754

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Dunollie Museum, Castle & Grounds

Dunollie Museum, Castle, and Grounds is a heritage site of international significance, situated just 1 mile north of Oban. It is now run by a small independe...

Dunollie Museum Castle and Grounds
Ganavan Road
Oban
PA34 5TT

Tel: 01631 570550

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Isle of Gigha Activity Centre

Located just a short walk from the ferry slip, the Activity Centre offers the chance to hire kayaks, paddle boards, wetsuits and snorkels; perfect for explor...

Isle Of Gigha Activity Centre
Isle of Gigha
PA41 7AA

Tel: 07549 682700

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Where to have an unforgettable day out

Bute

Bute is the perfect place for a family adventure, with glorious beaches, heaps of history and wonderful wildlife to discover. Bute’s quiet roads are lovely for a family cycle ride. Because the island’s fairly low-lying, there are panoramic views and few strenuous climbs.

Endless beaches to choose from include Ettrick Bay, with its white sands, and Scalpsie Bay, with its seal colony. Rothesay, the main town, is a fantastic seaside resort brimming with character and Italian cafés. Families and kids will love exploring Mount Stuart, Rothesay Castle and visiting Bute Museum, which is packed with artefacts.

Check opening days and book ahead where required, particularly if you’re travelling by ferry.

Oban, Lorn & Isles

Fire the imagination with a visit to a ruined castle, or explore the small islands off the coast of Lorn. It’s a great place to get active outdoors with kids, with kayaking, sailing, and cycling all on offer.

Or take an exciting boat trip to see the local wildlife. Keep an eye out for basking sharks, whales, dolphins and eagles.

Kilmartin Glen, Mid Argyll & Knapdale

Kilmartin is the perfect place for a family day out. From nature tours to wildlife centres, castles to canals, beaches to bike trails and so much more. Visit Kilmartin Museum to explore the area’s archaeology, then discover the ancient sites of Kilmartin Glen.

Get the kids active in the great outdoors with great family-friendly walks and cycles. Or how about kayaking in the protected waters of the Crinan Canal? Kids will love to uncover Scotland’s history.

Explore the ancient sites of Kilmartin Glen, then discover the wildlife of nearby Knapdale. Visit the Argyll Beaver Centre to learn about local wildlife, or book a guided walk. Look for signs of beaver activity around Barnluasgan, where dawn and dusk offer the best chance of a sighting. Give wildlife plenty of space. The Heart of Argyll offers unique experiences for families, all set against its stunning landscape and coastline; be sure to check out Kilberry Beach.

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Scotland's Adventure Coast on YouTube

Immerse yourself in Argyll & the Isles by watching our dedicated YouTube playlist for food and drink, activities, and more!

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Explore all the places to visit in Argyll & the Isles

3700km of coastline, 23 inhabited islands, major towns and villages are all waiting for you.

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