Cowal (from Cairndow to Dunoon, Tighnabruaich and Bute)
-> Scotland
-> Argyll & Bute
-> Cowal (from Cairndow to Dunoon, Tighnabruaich and Bute)The Cowal peninsula can be accessed via the A83 turn-off at Tarbet at the head of Loch Lomond or the A814 from Helensburgh along the banks of Gare Loch and Loch Long. Alternatively, a shorter route is by ferry from Gourock to Dunoon which is the main settlement in the Cowal peninsula.
The first area you reach when entering Cowal is the Argyll Forest Park which includes the Arrochar Alps, ideal for expert climbers, the highest peak being Ben Ime at over 1000 metres and the distinctive Cobbler at about 900 metres. There are also less challenging climbs and many walks through beautiful scenery. The A83 climbs steeply up to the pass at the 'Rest and Be Thankful' (where the single-track B828 leads to the village of Lochgoilhead and the ruins of the 15th century Carrick Castle used by James IV). The A815 (off the A83 before Cairndow and the Ardkinglas Woodland Garden) leads to the eastern part of the Cowal peninsula whilst the A886 (at Strachur) passes through the more western section.
Eastern Cowal
The road travels through the Argyll Forest Park along the steep banks of the long but narrow Loch Eck and past the internationally renowned Benmore Younger Gardens where there are many woodland walks through the exotic species of trees and shrubs which flourish in the warm Gulf Stream, and nearby forest walks. Dunoon has a magnificent setting overlooking the Firth of Clyde with views to the mountains. The town was a popular Victorian seaside resort and was more recently used as a US naval base. The town hosts the internationally famous Cowal Highland Gathering in August featuring hundreds of bagpipe bands. It is also worth visiting the exotic birds at the Cowal Bird Gardens at Sandbank.
Western Cowal
The western coast follows the long sea loch of Loch Fyne but the road travels inland to the tiny village Glendaruel, shortly after which the A8003 leads past Loch Riddon and the fabulous views towards the Kyles of Bute (a sailor's paradise), to Tighnabruaich, popular with yachtsmen and where there is an excellent sailing school. The A886 from Glendaruel leads to the Colintraive and Ardentraive from which there is a ferry across to the large island of Bute. A narrow road leads over the hills from Glendaruel to Otter Ferry on the west coast overlooking Loch Fyne and there are several fine restaurants along the B8000 travelling north.
The main settlement on the island of Bute is Rothesay, a popular Victorian seaside resort with its luxurious Victorian toilets, moated ruins of the cicrular 13th century Rothesay Castle (a residence of the Stuart kings) and the stunning Ardencraig Gardens and Ascog Fernery and Garden. The town also hosts an annual jazz festival in May which attracts a large crowd from Glasgow and elsewhere, and ButeLive, a music and arts festival in July. The 19th century Gothic house of Mount Stuart, south of Rothesay, is the seat of the Marquess of Bute (former Formula One racing driver, Johnny Dumfries) and where the 24-hour Mount Stuart Motorsport Classic is held. The house (featuring an Italian marble hall and staircase, stained glass windows and a horoscope bedroom) and woodland gardens are open to the public.
Information
Ferries run from Gourock to Dunnon and from Ardentraive to Bute. The is a train station at Arrochar. The tourist office in Dunoon is on Alexandra Parade and there is one in the Discovery Centre at the pier in Rothesay.
Hotels in the area include: the Coylet Inn at Loch Eck; Enmore Hotel in Dunoon; the Royal Hotel, Kames Hotel and Kilfinan Hotel in the Tighnabruaich area; Glendaruel Hotel; Cannon House Hotel in Rothesay; and the Kingarth Hotel in the south of Bute.
Restaurants in the area include; the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar at Cairndow; Chatters and Di Marco's Café Bar in Dunoon; the Burnside Bistro in Tighnaburaich; the Oystercatcher in Otter Ferry and Inver Cottage further north; the Bistro in Rothesay; the Port Royal Hotel in nearby Port Bannatyne.
| 
back