Local Attractions/Links

DUNOON, the main town of the Cowal peninsula and the south-western gateway to the newly established ‘LOCH LOMOND & TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK’, is one of the Firth of Clyde’s foremost resorts.

Local attractions include the award-winning CASTLE HOUSE MUSEUM, Castle House Gardens, the BISHOP’s GLEN, MORAG’s FAIRY GLEN, the refurbished DUNOON SWIMMING POOL & leisure centre, COWAL GOLF CLUB, tennis, bowling, and the extensive scenic PROMENADE.

Cowal (the area between Loch Long and Loch Fyne), boasts excellent opportunities for the Great Outdoors – particularly walking, hill walking, and cycling; and the Kyles of Bute & Tighnabruaich, with the beautiful sandy beach at nearby Kilbride Bay, should not be missed!

The ‘Arrochar Alps’ in northern Cowal offer some of the finest hill-walking in the Southern Highlands, and the ‘Cowal Way’ (Portavadie-Arrochar) and the walks at Kilmun Arboretum and Loch Eckside are particularly recommended.

The highly popular October walking festival, known as Cowalfest is now firmly established as a highlight of the year in the Cowal calendar, with all walks graded and numbered. There are also cultural and social events to accompany this event, which usually lasts about 10 days around the middle of the month – A ‘must’ for walkers!

EXCURSIONS on the famous Paddle Steamer ‘WAVERLEY’ are available direct from Dunoon Pier up to 5 days each week during the season, and are highly recommended and extremely popular. Further information is available from the ‘PS Waverley’ Website.

The wonderful Benmore Botanic Gardens near Lock Eck provide an idyllic setting for a fascinating day out; catering is also available there at the ‘James Duncan Cafe’.

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