GUIDEBOOK CAL & CLAIRE'S
Dedicated to all those who roam freely, and feel at home in these hills.
COPYRIGHT © 2023 BY CLAIRE SEGEREN
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author
RIGHT TO ROAM
THE LAND REFORM (SCOTLAND) ACT 2003: EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO BE ON LAND FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES AND TO CROSS LAND FOR SUCH PURPOSES
Scotland proudly boasts the most progressive land-access rights in the UK. Everyone has the right to be on most land and inland water for recreation This right does not extend to people’s immediate gardens or crop fields or to motorised vehicles and comes with responsibilities
CYCLING, CANYONING, HIKING, ROCK CLIMBING, CAMPING, FORAGING NON-COMMERCIALLY
DOGS, HORSES & PEOPLE
LEAVE NO TRACE
You must bring your litter home with you, or discard trash in a public bin Pick up after your dog
RESPECT AGRICULTURAL PRACTISES
Put your dog on a lead near livestock Close gates behind you Walk around, rather than through cropped fields.
FISHING & HUNTING
You require a permit to fish or hunt on private land You may fish on the seaside - we recommend Blairmore peer.
CAMPING IN THE NATIONAL PARK
Please note that while wild camping is generally allowed in Scotland, parts of the Trossachs national park require a permit due to frequent, heavy use of popular locations.
MOTORISED VEHICLES
The Right to Roam does not extend to motorised vehicles except those designed for disabled use Please respect road signs that limit vehicular access to land All "No Access" or "Private Property" signs are specifically there for vehicles, not humans.
In the rare occassion that a landowner attempts to prevent access to land you have the right to be on, you may respectfully remind them of your Right to Roam. They are breaking their own responsibilities by restricting your access
HELP KEEP SCOTLAND BEAUTIFUL FOR EVERYONE’S ENJOYMENT WE THANK YOU FOR RESPECTING THESE RESPONSIBILITIES, SO THAT WE CAN ALL MAINTAIN OUR RIGHT TO ROAM.
HEADING INTO THE HILLS
Our mountains are remote and can have limited cellular signal The weather in this region can change in an instant and is difficult to predict Low visibility and high winds are dangerous on the mountains Plan your routes, and make them known to someone Take a map, adequate footwear, layers, food and water Please check for ticks following your hike
GET IN THE WATER
Our rivers can be incredibly powerful following heavy rainfall Our lochs can be very cold, even in summer months, and change depth very quickly Never go into the water alone, and keep a close eye on children and dogs near Scotland’s water
CHECK FOR TICKS
Ticks are small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of birds and mammals They may carry disease, including Lyme Disease, and can be found in Scotland. Keep arms and legs covered during walks, use good-quality insect repellent, and check clothes and skin carefully after your walks
If you discover a tick, don’t panic Follow the guidelines below
Use sharp tweezers to grip the tick as close to your skin as possible, and pull it straight out anti-clockwise Do not try burning or using vaseline to remove the tick Removing ticks as soon as possible reduces the risk of infection
Keep an eye out for symptoms of Lyme’s Disease including:
A “Bullseye” rash around the bite area This is a ring-like rash that appears in less than 50% of Lyme’s Disease cases, so please look out for other symptoms as well Flu-like symptoms, facial palsy, joint pain and viral-type meningitis
If you suspect you have Lyme’s disease symptoms, see your GP immediately They can test you, and offer a course of antibiotics If left untreated, infections can lead to life-long symptoms
ENJOYING SCOTLAND SAFELY
A GUIDE TO THIS GUIDE
Welcome to the Cowal Peninsula - a spot we've managed to keep to ourselves; this part of the West Coast has been aptly nicknamed "Argyll's Secret Coast." There is SO MUCH that this area has to offer Dramatic hillsides, stunning fresh-water and sea Lochs, ancient woodlands and picturesque seaside towns. After four years of exploring this area, Cal and I are still discovering new and exciting spots all the time This book is a distillation of our adventures; we've put together a list of some of our favourite spots in the area. We feel so lucky to be able to call this part of the world our home, and we are so excited to share it with you!
We have split this book up into areas for you to explore - with a numbered map for each region, and descriptions of some of our favourite spots along the route. You likely won't have the time for each and every stop on our map, but we hope that with the photos and descriptions we've provided, you can build your own adventure - to best suit your interests, pace and level of ability.
The book is organised starting from the closest attractions to Jameswood, moving on to adventures that are further afield Following our regional maps, which aim at offering activities suitable to all ages and abilities, we have a section dedicated to hikers - which outlines some of our favourite hill-walking routes in the area (in addition to the routes you can take straight from our backyard, outlined in "4," of the Sandbank section.) While our regional spots include some Pubs and Cafes for a drink or bite to eat during your day out, the final section of our book is dedicated to dining
Our top-tips for having an excellent day out in our parts? Expect rain, wind and sunshine - Scotland often delivers all 3 in a day. Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy, and bring layers And don't forget to pack a picnic! There are so many lovely spots to enjoy a snack en-route
SANDBANK
EXPLORE THE RICH HERITAGE & BEAUTY OF SANDBANK
5 1 2 2 3 4 11 10 6,7&8
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Heritage Trail 10
EXPLORE THE RICH HERITAGE & BEAUTY OF SANDBANK
1 Adam's Grave Lazaretto Point & Ardnadam Car Park
Open Hills Nature Reserve
Holy Loch Coffee Shop
Sea Drift Pottery Wreckspeditions
Holy
Loch Inn The Oakbank
Adam's Grave
Put some wellies on and hop over our back fence In the field to the right, you'll find Adam's Grave
A Neolithic Cairn, believed to date from 3500 BC; this monument was an ancient burial site The name comes from Ardan-na-tuam - "height/ high ground, of the grave "
In Sandbank's later history, new traditions were adopted at the site Women would sit in the recess of the stones and hold the hand of a man standing in the entrance Together they repeated a sacred Gaelic oath Those unfaithful to the oath would meet a dreadful fate
2 Lazaretto Point & Ardnadam Car Park
Lazaretto Point and Ardnadam Car Park are two of our favourite spots to enjoy Sandbank as the sun goes down Great views of the Holy Loch are just a 5 minutes walk away Take a snack and a drink and enjoy the stunning views of the Holy Loch as the sea birds dive for a final catch of the evening
For an evening walk (30 min round trip):
Up High Road > Allan Terrace, follow the footpath > informal footpaths through the woodland > Ferry Road Turn Right to continue on Ferry Rd > Shore Rd, and left will take you to Lazaretto Point
Soak in the spectacular views of the Holy Loch on a bench at Lazaretto Point Walk along the shore and look for shells and sea glass at low tide Head up Ferguslie St to make your way home
Lazaretto point was the site of a quarantine station in the early 1800's Ships entering the Clyde ports first stopped here for a period of isolation, in an attempt to keep away Plague, Cholera and Yellow Fever
THE ITALIAN MERCHANT & THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER
Back in the early 1800's when Lazaretto Point served as a quarantining area, a young Italian Merchant visited the shores of Sandbank on his way to do business on the Clyde
Bored of his quarantine, the Italian merchant snuck into the village, and met the beautiful daughter of the farmer, Mr Matheson Ms Matheson and the merchant quickly fell in love, and made an oath to marry, under the sacred stones of Ardnadam Grave
The Italian Merchant went home to share the news of his engagement, but his rich family were disapproving - he was not to marry a simple daughter of a farmer
Soon after the engagment was broken, the star-crossed lovers met their ill-fate, having broken their vows made at the Neolithic Cairn Ms Matheson died, and the Italian merchant was found drowned in the harbour of Genoa George Matheson, a later descendent of the Matheson family, lived in Jameswood Villa until the second World War
3 Heritage Trail
A magical walk through ancient woodland, passing gurgling riverbeds and the remains of a Neolithic settlement
A peaceful walk minutes from Jameswood (30 minutes, easy/moderate)
Go up the High Rd, take your first right onto the farmroad, and the left up a short incline where the drive forks
At the next split in the path, take another left onto The Heritage Trail A map sits at the entrance to the trail
When the trail finishes on the forestry road, turn back, or take the left to get onto the High Road and loop your way home
Looking for a slightly more challenging walk? There's a right offshoot of the trail, after the bridge over the river, which makes your way up the hill to "The Camels Hump", with views over The Holy Loch, The Clyde and Dunoon
1
4
Explore the Open Hills
You genuinely can hop over the fence in our yard, and go for a days' adventure in the hills, though if you want to skip the fields behind our house, which can be a bit boggy, follow the instructions for The Heritage Trail (3,) but turn Right at the last fork, to bring you up the hill About a 10-15 minute ascent will offer great views of The Holy Loch and the Clyde Take in the views from there, or build your own adventure! Paths to the left will head over Dunoon, and can be taken to get to the town, or up to Bishop's Seat (a well-known trig-point above Dunoon ) Paths to the right will lead to Glenkin - a secluded Glen surrounded by dramatic hillside You can explore the forestry trails, or head into open hillside Walking up "Giant's Burn" will lead to a lovely waterfall, and further up the hill brings you to Bishop's seat From the very end of the Glen, you can walk "The Coffin Trail" to Inverchchaolain - a route once taken by villagers to a burial site on the banks of Loch Striven Right: Waterfall at Giant's Burn, Above: A great view over Loch Eck, achieved by rambling in the open hills behind our house
5 Holy Loch Nature Reserve
A bird hide and woodland path, with excellent vantage points for watching dozens of bird species at seed feeders, in the trees, and on the mud flats and marsh at the head of the Holy Loch The best time to visit in one hour either side of high tide The reserve is home to approximately 1000 plants, birds, animals and fungi
6
Holy Loch Coffee Shop
An inviting coffee shop found in the Holy Loch Marina, about a 5 minute walk from Jameswood Serves rolls, breakfast and hot meals Open every day, 10am - 3pm
7 Sea Drift Pottery
Pauline is a talented local Potter, who runs a studio in the Holy Loch Marina If she's in, she welcomes guests to pop in for a nosey, and usually has a small collection of items for sale Visit her website seadriftpottery com, to shop, or book youself into one of her workshops
8 Wreckspeditions
Also run out of the Holy Loch Marina, Wreckspeditions offer power boat tours of the Holy Loch, along Dunoon's coastline, as well as shipwreck and castle-themed excursions Half and full-day hire are also available A range of diving tours are also available for the divers among us For more information, visit wreckspeditions com
9 The Holy Loch Inn
A stones throw away, this pub is a great place for a pint, evening meal, or Sunday lunch Open from 4pm on Friday, and from 12pm on Saturday and Sunday
20 DUNOON 11 The Burgh Hall Dunoon MOCA 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Queen's Hall 20 Argyll Vintners Bookpoint Cameron's Dairy Tryst Studio Cinema Riverside Leisure Centre Mini Put on the Pier & West Bay 20 13 17 16 12 14 1519 11 18 21 Bishop's Glen
WHAT'S ON DUNOON
1 1 Burgh Hall
co uk - a guide to events happening in the area
Live music, art exhibits, workshops, jumble sales and more
A community-run gallery and creative arts hub The gallery is reguarly updated with a wide variety of exciting exhibitions Visit the cafe and garden, pick up some local art, and check to see what events and workshops are running while you're here!
1 2 Dunoon MOCA
The Museum of Contemporary Art is a gallery and studio for the artists Alastair Noble & Kathy Bruce The gallery exhibition programme is to focus on Text Art, Visual Poetry and the Book Arts Opening hours Fri-Sun, 12-6pm
1 3 The Queen's Hall
A multi-purpose community centre with a cafe, soft play and regular events Check their website to see what's on
Argyll Street Dunoon's High Street - filled with cafes, restaurants, shops and galleries, this road is worth a wander
1 4 Bookpoint
An idyllic bookshop on the High Street A great place to grab a coffee, browse through books, or pick up a postcard, greeting card or souvenir
1 5 Cameron's Dairy
A delicious deli - pop in to grab a roll, soup of pasta salad - and don't go away without a decadent home-baked treat!
Hillfoot Street Just up the Road from the main High Street, this road has more shops to explore, including our favourite spot for fish & chips and a health food shop
1 6 Argyll Vintners
An independent local wine merchant, deli and wine bar Pick up some local cheese and chutneys with your next bottle
1 7 Tryst
Enjoy a pint at their rooftop bar - our favourite place for a drink with a view
1 8 Studio Cinema
Dunoon's very own independent cinema - with two screens and a great selection of films
1 9 Riverside Leisure Centre
Swimming pool located on the promenade Check website for swim times
2 0 Mini Put on the Pier & West Bay
Play a game of crazy golf by the water, pop into The Boat Shed Cafe for a coffee, cake or lunch, and walk along the pebbled West Bay, with views of the lighthouse and views of Wee Cumbrae in the distance
27 21 Puck's Glen - A Must See Benmore Botanic Garden 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 A quick Spot to Swim 30 Glenbranter Waterfall Walk The Coylet Inn Jubilee Point & The Whistlefield Ardentinny The Ardentinny Blairmore Pier& Cafe, The Shore Cafe & Strone Inn Glen Massan LOCH ECK & LOCH LONG COASTAL LOOP 21 22 23 24 25 26 29 27 28 30 29
The Loch Eck & Loch Long Coast
An hour-long drive with breathtaking freshwater and sea loch views, as well as plenty of dramatic mountain landscapes Stops along the journey offer spots for a quick swim, beach days, magical waterfall walks and plentiful cafes and pubs
Do this as a looped journey, up the A815 that skirts along Lock Eck, turn right at the Whistlefield Inn, this Road will take you over a gorgeous mountain pass and into Ardentinny's Glen Follow the coastal road home, with a final left to make your way into Sandbank There are bus services to all destinations on this route Cyclists can enjoy Loch Eck's forestry paths on the opposite shore to the A815, accessed via Benmore, and above the A815 in the hills
Build your own adventure - The journey can be done in either direction, or spend the whole day at Loch Eck or Ardentinny, or head straight to a destination of your choice on the route
2
1 Puck's Glen - A Must See
Pure Magic If you only have one afternoon in the area, Puck's Glen is the place to visit. This trail winds along a Victorian walkway, up a dramatic and lush rocky gorge with waterfalls aplenty Keep an eye out for Fairies and other mischievous spirits A must-see for all ages
We recommend starting your walk on the trail to left, which will take you along a flat, past some holiday lodges Take the first right before walking over the bridge to enter the Glen You can choose your length of route, with a stairway to exit the gorge midway We choose to carry on up the gorge until we hit the forestry road From there, a right, and your next right will bring you onto the forestry trail back to the carpark (Red route, Allow one hour ) Alternatively, you can turn left at the forestry road, and walk 5 minutes to a lookout point, with a picnic bench and nice views over the surrounding hills If you’re looking for a longer route, you can carry on up the gorge, to its end, which connects to a descending forestry trail back down the hill (adds 1 hour to route )
2 2 Benmore Botanic Garden
A magnificent Victorian-Era Botanical Gardens Steeped in history, the gardens boast a world-famous plant collection We love it for its 150 years old Redwood Avenue, its breathtaking reflection ponds, spectacular views which can be enjoyed at lovely pavilions, and its amazing glass-roofed Victorian Fernery
2 3 A Quick Spot for a Swim
If you're looking for a cold water dip in Loch Eck, but not a whole big outing, this lay-by is a stunning spot, just 10 minutes drive from Jameswood.
2 4 The Coylet Inn
2 5 Jubilee Point & The Whistlefield Inn
Jubilee Point is an excellent spot to launch a kayak, have a beach day, a picnic, or a quick pop-by just to take in the extraordinary views Below: Views from Jubliee Point
After a day at the beach, take a five minute walk down the path that connects Jubilee Point to The Whistlefield Inn, we love sitting out on their patio and enjoying views of Loch Eck. Also a perfect spot to end a hike in and around the area
2 6 Glenbranter Waterfall Walk
Charming native woodlands, towering conifers and dramatic waterfall walks - glen branter is a spectacular place to explore with the family
Our preferred walking route: the waterfall trail (yellow ) Park at the visitor centre, and walk through the native woodlands that run alongside the road and river When the trail bisects, take the left onto the roadyou’ll pass a small group of cottages Carry on along the road, or through the tall coniferous enclave to the left - either way will get you to a forestry gate and bridge Just over the bridge, a set of stairs brings you to a dramatic waterfall route Want a shorter route? Instead of parking at the visitor centre, carry on along the road that follows the river, past the enclave of cottages, and park at the roundabout just before the forestry gate From here the waterfall loop takes about half an hour
A characterful, cozy pub sat right on the shore of Loch Eck
2 7 Ardentinny
A lovely seaside village situated on the banks of Loch Long This spot features Cowal's longest sandy beach, forestry trails and a lovely walled gardens
We park at Ardenfeld car park, a central point in town with free parking and toilets From here, you can head to the beach, or into the forestry trails, where you can find some numbered activity ropes courses and bridges over the gorge, that had been set up by the local Outdoor Centre The beach path will also take you to Glenfinart Walled Garden - built in the 1800's, this walled garden was restored by the community in 2012, and is open to the public April - mid October, from 1 - 4:30
2 8 The Ardentinny
A lovely pub to grab some food, or sit out and have a drink on their deck, while taking in views of Loch Long
2 9 Blairmore Pier & Cafe, The Shore Cafe & Strone Inn
Blairmore Pier, built in 1855, is still used as a stopping point for The Waverley - the last seagoing passenger paddle-steamer in the world (You can book a ticket aboard the Waverley for a great day out!) The pier is a great spot to fish, but beware of the one-eyed seal who frequents this area, in an attempt to steal your catch! The Blairmore Cafe is just lovely - directly opposite the Pier, it's a great place for lunch, coffee (and) or a cake.
Farther down the road, The Shore Cafe and The Strone Inn are also excellent spots for lunch and a drink - with shore-side views, what's not to love?
30 Glen Massan
Dramatic rock pools, golden gates and Highland Cows! This Glen is a 10 minutes drive from Jameswood, yet as you make your way into the depths of the glen, you are transported into a wild and remote Scotland The Massan is home to a star studded Scot - Emma Thompson has a cottage in this spot
As you make your way out Sandbank, take the second left to head into Glen Massan. You'll pass the Golden Gates at the edge of Benmore Gardens As you head up the road, there are a series of lay-bys on the left - park at the last lay-by, you've gone too far if the forest makes way to open valleys An informal path will take you to some dramatic Rock Pools A frequented swim spot, please be mindful that heavy rainfall makes some areas dangerous -use caution and your best judgement, and always keep an eye on children and dogs.
To see the Highland Cows, follow the road to its end There is a spot to park where the road becomes private - for farming and forestry vehicles only Carry on down the road by foot - a 10-20 minute walk (depending on which field is being grazed) will bring you to the Highland Cows. Keep your distance, keep your dog on a lead and enjoy the company of these gentle, fuzzy giants
WESTERN COWAL PENINSULA
31 Seal Watching at Loch Striven
"The Scottish Hill" 32 33 34 3
Kyles of Bute Lookout & The Ark Sculpture
Old Castle Lachlan
The Western Cowal Peninsula offers a number of spectacular day trip options. There is so much to explore, so we’ve broken the area down into “The Castle Loop”, a day at a lovely seaside villa, the perfect beach day and a coastal route 3 3
31 32 37 34 33 36 35
"THE CASTLE LOOP"
A great way of getting a taste for the Cowal Peninsula It includes one of our favourite Lochs - where seals can always be spotted, a dramatic mountain pass, beautiful views over the Kyles of Bute and an Old Castle with great views over Loch Fyne Pick and choose your favourite destinations on this route
First left out of Sandbank onto the B836, Right onto A886, Right onto A815 past Loch Ech to return home
31 Seal Watching at Loch Striven
Nestled amongst dramatic hillsides in a quiet spot on the peninsula, we love this peaceful beauty spot - and so do the seals!
Walk down the long driveway and past Ardtaraig Estate House Carry on along the path that follows the shoreline and over the gate You will get to a small cottage at the end of the road - quietly walk to the waters edge, and you will spot a pod of seals who love sun bathing on nearby rocks
Parking: 56 006500, -5 119810
Right: Red fishing boat on Loch Striven
32 "The Scottish Hill"
This peak was nicknamed by Claire, who thought it looks like something off a Whisky bottle A nice spot to appreciate as you drive by, or take a quick stop at the layby where the path leads up the hill - for a quick photo opp The Scottish Hill is also included in our hikes at the back of this book
55 991168, -5 142213
33 Kyles of Bute Lookout & The Ark Sculpture
A 7-minute detour off the Castle Loop, but well worth a visit A beautiful spot to enjoy a thermos of tea, overlooking the Kyles of Bute Google “Tighnabruaich Viewpoint” to direct you to this point A few minutes drive on from the viewpoint, you can take a look at the life-size Ark Sculpture created by local artist David Blair - a comment on climate change
34 Old Castle Lachlan
A 15th-century castle ruin that stands on the shores of Loch Fyne Work has recently been done to stabilise the structure making it safe for visitors to explore A lovely bench sits next to the castle - it’s a favourite of ours for a picnic with excellent views For foodies, Inver restaurant sits closeby, refer to our Food Guide for more info If you don’t have time for a day-trip and want to see a castle while in Scotland - this destination can be reached in 35 minutes by heading directly to Castle Lachlan via Loch Eck road
35 The Creggans Inn
If you’re looking for a pub at the end of your daytrip, The Creggans in offers nice views over Loch Fyne, and it’s a great vantage point for sunsets Other pubs you can end your journey with include The Whistlefield and The Coylet which have views over Loch Eck
TIGHNABRUAICH 36
The loveliest little seaside village overlooking the Kyles of Bute We love going for a hop along the floating pontoon and taking a look at what’s on display in the art gallery next door There are some great places for lunch in and around the village Tide and Thyme is open all week long and offers traditional pub fare If you’re looking for a special dining experience, we recommend a weekend visit to Botanica at the Barn, in Millhouse - two miles outside the village Their creative menu often includes seafood, fresh breads and foraged finds - it's a real gem, but be sure to check their opening times on Facebook, they typically do weekend lunches Wild Kitchen Argyll is also worth a visit - Leoma offers homemade cakes and preserves made from local and foraged ingredients, out of her lovely converted shipping container
A journey to Tighnabruiach can be your sole destination for the day, or combined with some stops on “The Castle Loop”, on your way to Ostel Bay
BEACH DAY! 37 Ostel Bay a.k.a. Kilbride Bay
Fancy a beach day? Though there are great spots to enjoy the water closer by - like Loch Eck or Ardentinny - Ostel Bay is worth the journey! This incredible spot has an expansive, perfectly sanded beach, and beautifully frames a view of the Isle of Arran Park at Kilbride Bay farm, where you can also pick up a coffee or ice cream A 15 minute walk down the lane will get you to the beach Bring a picnic, a frisbee, some sunscreen and enjoy a top-class beach day!
LOCHGOILHEAD
A quiet seaside village sat at the head of Loch Goil. The River Walk offers a pleasant stroll through woodland, and is an easy walk for all ages A more strenuous walk to Donich Falls will bring you into the heart of a towering coniferous forest, to a beautiful rocky waterfall
Afterwards, enjoy a drink at The Shore House(41) where you can take in the views from The Loch Goil Gin Garden, or get a coffee and cake at The Boatshed(42) - it’s adorable covered seating area overhangs the coastline, and has rendered the spot Instagram-famous From there, Carrick Castle(43) is a 10 minute drive up the road - this 14th century castle is currently being restored
TOP TIP: Make your journey to and from Lochgoilhead into a looped route with spectacular views It adds just 7 minutes to your journey to take the A83 to Rest and Be Thankful, where you can drink in the views of the Arrochar Alps before turning onto the B828. Take the more direct route home.
DAY TRIP
On your way to Inveraray, The Gruffalo Trail(39) is a magical woodland walk - perfect for the family You can visit Fyne Ales’ Brewery(40) for a pint, or stop into Loch Fyne Oyster Bar(41) if you fancy some seafood!
INVERARAY
A traditional county town of Argyll, take a trip to Inveraray(38) to visit Inveraray Castle (check admission prices online) The high street has cute shops to peruse, pick-up a fish supper to enjoy on a shoreside bench, or visit The George Hotel lunch, or a drink in their Beer Garden which overlooks Loch Fyne
39 38 Inveraray The Gruffalo Trail 39 40 41 Fyne Ales’ Brewery Loch Fyne Oyster Bar 41 40 38
42 43 44 The Shore House - Loch Goil Gin Garden 42 43 44 The Boatshed Carrick Castle
HIKES
This area is truly an outdoor playgroundchoose a peak, and start walking, you can truly make your own adventure
We’ve listed some of our favourite hikes in the following section - and have generally organised them from shortest to longest, and from closest to those further afield We would advise researching your route online before going out (Ordnance Survey has a great online map available) - this is not a comprehensive hiking guide - just a point in the right direction!
APPROX 45 MIN ASCENTS
STRONE HILL
Parking at Strone Golf Club means you’re halfway up this hill before you start your walk - making this a relatively easy climb, with excellent panoramic views over the Clyde, Loch Long and The Holy Loch! This hillwalk is accessible to those who are fit and healthy, but not necessarily avid hillwalkers
Walk up through the golf course until you hit the forestry road, turn right When you hit a fork in the road, leave the forestry road by going left onto a small walking trail that leads into the forest This walking trail will bring you up into the open hillside, and lead to the trig point Note that the path is muddy and not well maintained
INVERCHAPEL VIEWPOINT
You don’t have to reach a peak to get incredible views, and feel the exhilaration of being out on the Scottish Hills! Google the walk from Inverchapel car park to Beinn Rhuadh There are a number of Craggs that make natural resting spots on the ascent to Beinn Rhuadh peak - we often use these as our final destination on a quick evening climb, rather than going all the way up to the top It makes for incredible views over Loch Eck, and its a favourite of ours for a quick evening climb Note though this isn’t a long walk, it is very steep, and once the path ends the open hillside terrain can prove difficult to navigate
"THE SCOTTISH HILL"A’CHRUACH BY LOCH STRIVEN
Starting this walk from the mountain-pass road means you are half way up the hill to start. Take the path until it turns into open hill, and make your way to the top - where you get panoramic views over Loch Striven and Loch Riddon Note the open hillside makes for difficult walking terrain
APPROX 1.5 - 2 HR ASCENTS
A’CHRUACH FROM BENMORE BOTANIC GARDENS
Not the same “A’Chruach” as “The Scottish Hill!” - this is the hill directly behind Benmore Gardens, and offers lovely views over The Holy Loch and Loch Eck Make your way through the gardens and up the tallest path, into the open hills Don’t worry about getting a ticket for the gardens, staff are happy to welcome hill climbers who are making their way through to peaks behind the gardened area - just walk straight into the garden by taking the car bridge from Benmore Carpark, rather than going through the coffee shop and over the foot bridge From the peak, you can carry on along the ridgeline to other peaks should you wish to have a longer journey
BEN DONICH
Starting from an elevated position near The Rest and Be Thankful, and with a footpath all the way to the trig point, this route provides an excellent hillwalk with breathtaking views over Loch Goilhead, and out towards the impressive peaks that make up the Arrochar Alps An easy scramble through a rocky outcrop close to the peak offers a bit of character to the route
FULL DAY OUTINGS
BEINN RHUADH
You can ascend this peak from Inverchapel Carpark - this route is very steep We prefer parking on the road between the Whistlefield and Ardentinny, and ascending via Sligrachan Hill - this way passes a small Lochan (Loch on a mountain), where you can stop to enjoy a picnic, or go for a quick dip!
CURRA LOCHAIN, SRUTH BAN FALLS AND LOCHAN NAN CNAIMH
This journey offers Lochans galore - which is why its one of our favourites! We park at Lauder monument carpark From there, you can take the forestry roads and footpaths that lead to Curra Lochain, and then on to Sruth Ban Falls If you’ve planned your timing well, and done your research, you can descend into Lochgoilhead and catch a bus back to Glenbranter. Alternatively, you can head back the way you came, or head into the open hills, ascending a saddle that leads to the breathtaking Lochan nan Cnaimh (pictured below)
Alternatively, head to Lochan nan Cnaimh straight from the carpark (open hillside terrain, no path), enjoy a picnic and swim from this stunning Lochan, before ascending Beinn Bheula, and then making your way back down to the carpark, or passing Sruth Ban Falls on your way to a bus at Lochgoilhead (this is my favourite route option).
THE COBBLER & ARROCHAR ALPS
Famous for its dramatic, rocky peak (Left) - there is a footpath that will take you to the peak from The Arrochar Alps Carpark This is a popular route that sees lots of visitors due to its accessibility, characterful peak and stunning views over the Arrochar alps
For those who prefer quiet routes, Beinn Ime can be a climbed from Butterbridge carpark It is the tallest peak in the Arrochar alps and offers similarly stunning views to those of The Cobbler The walk is less accessible - you must navigate open hillside terrain and some scrambling is required - here, you are truly off the beaten path.
RESTAURANTS
FINE DINING
INVER RESTAURANT
Michelin reviewed and rated best in Scotland, and top 25 in the UK. The menu makes use of local, seasonal produce and unique foraged ingredients A Culinary experience
THE COLINTRAIVE
Offers a rotating menu of dishes that include local game, seafood and foraged products.
CHATTERS
Was recognised as one of the finest dining experiences on the West Coast closing to focus on catering They have recently reopened as a pop-up in the heart of Dunoon Their à la carte menu features seasonal produce and local seafood. Their pop-up works around their catering schedule - so you must review their calendar and make bookings online
PUBS WITH A VIEW
There are a number of excellent choices for pub dining with a Lochside view in the area. Check booking availability at The Strone Inn, The Ardentinny (pictured below), The Coylet Inn or the Whistlefield Inn for dining with views of The Holy Loch, Loch Long or Loch Eck.
DINE IN DUNOON
The Lorne is a favourite among Dunoon locals for an evening meal. In fair weather, we also like Tryst, where you can enjoy a meal from a rooftop table with a view