Argyll & Bute Accommodation

Argyll & Bute castles remain from when it was the centre of power

Inveraray Castle is still the seat of the Campbells

Planned 19th century Georgian towns in south Argyll

Loch Fyne has long provided a source of food and income from its seafood

Tourist Information Centres in Inveraray, Dunoon and Isle of Bute

Lochs, mountains and forests typify the Argyll and Bute countryside

Loch Etive in north Argyll on the way up to the Scottish Highlands

Argyll and Bute Scotland Tourist Information Castles Marinas

Argyll and Bute lies to the north and west of Glasgow and is an area of peninsulas, lochs and offshore islands which form the Inner Hebrides archipelago. It is well visited being so close to links with Glasgow but also as having the interesting mix of Lowlands and Highlands Scotland. Historically it was an area hit hard by The Clearances through the 18th and 19th centuries where the increase in sheep farming - "white plague" - meant that lairds and landlords evicted thousands from their traditional crofts and by so doing their way of life. This was also the stronghold for the Irish Celts who settled here in the fifth century from which Scotland got it's name originating from "Scotti". Today that culture is noticeable from the bilingual road signs but it's really the islands of Islay, Coll and Tiree that are the stronghold for the Gaelic speakers today.

With such a long and varied history there are a wealth of historic sights and castles in Argyll & Bute, particularly around Kilmartin Glen north of Lochgilphead. The area is sparsely populated with the countryside being dotted with small settlements and villages. Canals and marinas are popular for leisure craft and there are plenty of walking opportunities.

Dunoon & Cowal Peninsula

Dunoon on the south west of the Cowal Peninsula was a former grand Victorian resort and is still a main entry point into the Cowal Peninsula. It is Argyll's largest town having developed from a small village in the 19th century due to the influx of Glaswegian holiday makers.

There is still some evidence of the Victorian grandeur of the resort in Dunoon Pier which is the only remaining Victorian pier on the Clyde. Around Dunoon the Cowal Peninsula has a huge range of stunning scenery including lochs, glens, sea, mountains and forests. Argyll Forest Park has a range of recently upgraded forest walking routes, cycle paths, horse riding bridleways and picnic areas.

Isle of Bute

The Isle of Bute is just two hours away from Glasgow in southern Argyll in the Firth of Clyde. It's separated from the Cowal Peninsula by the narrow sea, the Kyles of Bute. Its heyday was as a Victorian seaside resort where steamers chugged along the Clyde taking trippers out from Rothesay.

The northern half of Bute is hilly with its highest peaks Windy Hill at 913 feet and Torran Turach at 746 feet. If you're into hill climbing you'll be rewarded with views out over the Kyles of Bute. The southern half is lower and largely cultivated for farming. There is a lovely sandy beach at Kilchattan Bay south of Rothesay and Loch Fad in the middle of the island is a freshwater loch popular for fishing.

Inveraray & Inveraray Castle

Inveraray is a pleasant historic town as you head away from the Cowal Peninsula. It's a perfectly preserved 18th Georgian planned town that evokes that period of history from the whitewashed arches into the town and the forbidding jail that now acts as an entertaining visitor attraction.

For a small town there's plenty to keep the whole family occupied with museums, shops, the castle and the countryside around that's well worth exploring.

Lochgilphead & Kilmartin Glen

Lochgilphead is the administrative centre of Argyll and Bute. It is situated at the head of Loch Gilp which cuts inland from the huge Loch Fyne. Its origins are as a planned 18th century town and forms something of a centre albeit small in this part of Argyll.

There is plenty to explore around the town such as the historic sites in Kilmartin Glen - the most important in mainland Scotland, Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve and the Argyll countryside.

Click Search

Internet Links

Home Top