About the area
Things to do
From walking to local pubs, lochs to local
Mount Stewart, Isle of Bute
This is great day out with lots of interest all the way. First the drive to Colintrave over the single track road from the corner of The Holy Loch is a beautiful experience where you see the huge variety of scenery on the Cowal peninsular, steep valleys, shore line coves, inland lochs and dramatic hills. When you get to Colintrave, which takes about 35 minutes, you take the ferry to Bute. This must be the most ridiculous car-ferry in the world! It runs every 30 minutes and takes two minutes to cross to Bute. The safety briefing takes as long as the journey! It is something to do with keeping the island status for financial reasons. The coastal road round to Rothesay only takes about 10 minutes. Rothesay is worth a stop before you drive on to Mount Stewart. Mount Stewart is the seat of the Marquis of Bute, it is truly an astonishing building (read about it first and book your tickets on line) and absolutely worth the visit. Return to the ferry by taking the road round the western side of the island and then cut across the middle to the Rothesay coastal road and back to the crazy ferry, retracing your steps.
Inveraray
Another great drive along the shore of Loch Eck, past the Coylet Inn and up to Strachur. Then drive round the end of Loch Fyne to Inveraray. There are great views and ruined castles to see on the way. Inveraray is a perfect period town built in the mid 1800s by the Dukes of Argyll, comprising magnificent white buildings lining the shore. Visit the Argyll county jail - it will make you think what life might have been like in those days, although you would have had great views, if you had a window. The seat of the Duke of Argyll, Inveraray Castle, is a magnificent monumental building sitting at the edge of the town and definitely worth a visit. Eat at the George, the Samphire Seafood Restaurant or cafe Bella.
Puck's Glen
Puck’s Glen is just a few minutes up the main Glasgow road towards Loch Eck, before you get to Benmore Botantical Gardens. Walk up the hillside trail through beautiful trees and mossy glades and then come backdown through the ravine. Puck’s Glen is a magical place with a stream running down through the ravine with high sides and lush greenery. Definitely worth a visit, 3 minutes drive from the house and give yourself an hour and a half to do the walk.
Benmore Botanical Gardens
A seven minutes drive up the Glasgow road towards Loch Eck. These historic Botanical Gardens are a treasure, with an avenue of amazing Sequoia trees. You need a good few hours to see all of the different regional zones. Make sure you go to the Fern House which is set up in the rock face. One of beautiful things about the gardens is the informal way in which it is set out, with miles of trails you can follow right up to the top observation platform with spectacular views across to The Holy Loch and the Clyde.
The Shore Villages
Kilmun, Strone, and Blairmore run round the northern edge of The Holy Loch and continue on round to Argentinny. This a great cycle or walking route with lots of possibilities. If you are really keen you can cross over the top of the hill (1:5 gradient!) and arrive at the Whistlefield Inn on Loch Eck. For keen Kayakers there is estuary and sea kayaking, as well as river and fresh water, to choose from. Turn left out of Holly Trees and walk past St Munn’s church and climb up into the Forrest’s commission paths. Work your way along the hillside above Kilmun and Strone, past the Golf Club and then drop down to Blairmore. Lunch in the excellent cafe overlooking Loch Long and then walk back along the coastal road to Kilmun - a total of about 5 miles.
Drive to Tighnabruiach
This pretty little seaside village is situated on the northern end of the Kyles of Bute. It is a beautiful drive through steep hills offering fantastic views on the way. The Kyles of Bute separate the island from the mainland, narrow and very popular with sailors. There are several cafes offering a good brunch. About a 45 minute drive.
Oban
A day trip to Oban is well worthwhile. The drive is spectacular via Inveraray. Hills and lochs all the way. Oban is the jumping off point for many of the western isles and has a busy port. As you approach Oban the stream from Loch Etive joins the sea by the Connel bridge, and depending on the tide there is an amazing whirlpool around the bridge and you definitely would not want to be negotiating it in a boat. Once in Oban, park at the old harbour and try the EE-USK, a truly exceptional fish restaurant (but book). The best scallops - period!
The Long Way Back
...to Glasgow.
The alternative to the Western Ferries route back to Gourock, is the drive on the old Glasgow road right up to Arrochar and down the banks of Loch Lomond to Glasgow. It will take a couple of hours, but the scenery is spectacular.
