Dunoon & Cowal

Scotland's Adventure Coast

Dunoon and 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 water' to its shores.

Cowal’s major town, Dunoon is a wonderful destination for both weekend breaks and longer vacations. It also plays host to the Cowal Highland Gathering, one of the biggest Highland Games in the UK, and CowalFest, an annual walking festival, plus a mix of sports, music and family focussed events, reflecting the broad appeal and the beautiful surrounding countryside 

Cowal's 'Secret Coast' has sparkling sea lochs and picturesque villages. Here you can enjoy some world-class sailing experiences and world-class food and drink.

Gaelic in Scotland

The indigenous language of Argyll contains great richness of expression.  Here we have shared a phrase from local Gaelic poetry about the Cowal pennisula.

Donnchamh MacMhuirich

Bha pìobairean am pàilteas ann (There were pipers in plenty there)

’S bu taitneach leinn an ceòl (And pleasant to us was the music)

Ann an éideamh fasanta (In fashionable uniform)

Mar chleachd bhith ann an Comhall (As used to be in Cowal)

With thanks to partners CHARTS

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Top reasons to visit

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Long distance walking trails
CASTLE 01
9 medieval castles
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Artists & galleries
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2 glorious gardens
WATERBODY 01
Maritime Gateway to National Park
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UK's first forest park

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Argyll Botany

Come and join my botanical skincare journey through the wild plants growing in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. All my products are hand made, created b...

Carryfarm
Ardlamont
Tighnabruaich
Argyll
PA21 2AH

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Argyll Coffee Roasters

We’re speciality coffee roasters based in Tighnabruaich on Argyll's Secret Coast. We love coffee and we source the finest beans from around the world and roa...

Unit 1 Kames Industrial Estate,
Kames,
Tighnabruaich
PA212AB

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Bookpoint

Is there anything better than spending some quiet time browsing through bookshelves to find that next book to read? If that sounds as perfect to you as it do...

Bookpoint
2A Ferry Brae
Dunoon
Argyll PA23 7DJ

Tel: 01369 702 377

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Kames Village Store

Village store on the Lomond & Cowal Way offering a wide selection of groceries, local butcher meat, Scottish cheeses, local beers, fine wines and much mo...

Park House Buildings
Kames
Tighnabruaich
Argyll
PA21 2AD

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Bookpoint

Is there anything better than spending some quiet time browsing through bookshelves to find that next book to read? If that sounds as perfect to you as it do...

Bookpoint
2A Ferry Brae
Dunoon
Argyll PA23 7DJ

Tel: 01369 702 377

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Must Visit Places

TIGHNABRUAICH

Sitting on the shore of the beautiful Kyles of Bute, this little village lies on the rural west coast of Cowal.

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Visitscotland Tighnabruaich
CAIRNDOW

Lying in an idyllic setting at the head of Loch Fyne, near Inveraray and 'The Rest & Be Thankful'

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Fresh Seafood
TARBET & ARROCHAR

Villages located in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National and gateway to the Argyll Forest Park.

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Rest And Be Thankful Road Cycling
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Dunoon & Cowal on YouTube

Immerse yourself in all things Dunoon & Cowal by watching our dedicated YouTube playlist for food and drink, activities and so much more!

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Getting here

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Planning your journey

Travelling to and from Cowal is commonly done by bus or car via the A82 along Loch Lomondside and then the A83 over the Rest and Be Thankful, turning south onto the A815 shortly before Cairndow.

It is possible to take ferries across the Firth of Clyde from Gourock. A passenger ferry operated by Argyll Ferries links the train station and the car ferry operated by Western Ferries runs from McInroys Point to Hunter’s Quay.

Alternatively, you can take the ferry from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, then across to Cowal at the north of the island on the Rhubodach to Colintraive ferry.

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