Holiday apartment in Argyll and Bute between coastal paths and history

Argyll and Bute leads from prehistoric landscapes to historic buildings, extensive gardens and island paths. Kilmartin Glen is particularly impressive: it is considered one of Scotland’s richest prehistoric landscapes. More than 800 monuments lie within a 6-mile radius of the Kilmartin Museum. This means that evidence from different periods stands close together in one place, while other landscapes, forests and coastal areas of the region offer completely different impressions.

Culture

The Kilmodan Sculptured Stones consist of nine late-medieval gravestones from the West Highlands and one gravestone dating from the post-Reformation period in 1636. The stones come from the churchyard around St Modan’s Church in the village of Clachan of Glendaruel and form a collection of late-medieval carved stones in a chapel-like burial chamber. At the Kilmartin Museum, collections, educational programmes and activities are part of an active museum operation.

The Isle of Bute is also home to notable historic destinations. Rothesay Castle has Scotland’s only circular curtain wall. Mount Stuart is a Gothic Revival mansion on the Isle of Bute with 300 acres of gardens. On Islay, Bruichladdich Distillery combines its Victorian distillery with tours and cask tastings; it also offers a hands-on Botanist cocktail course.

Nature

Argyll Forest Park stretches from Holy Loch, an inlet of the Firth of Clyde, to the rugged peaks of the Arrochar Alps. Its landscape is characterised by rugged peaks, hidden valleys, tranquil sea lochs and fast-flowing rivers. Red squirrels, pine martens and crossbills live in the park. Mountain-bike trails are available there for cross-country riding.

Garden landscapes provide further highlights. Benmore Botanic Garden is located in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park and Argyll Forest Park. It covers 120 acres and includes plant collections from the Himalayas, China, Japan, and North and South America. Crarae Woodland Garden is a Himalayan-style valley in the gentle hills of Argyll. It contains more than 50 plant families, 240 genera and over 900 plant species. Paths lead to a gorge, a stream, waterfalls and cliffs; forest bathing is also available.

Walking

For walks and longer hikes, Argyll and Bute has 1,167 miles of designated Core Paths. Guided walks in Kilmartin Glen visit ancient sites in the valley, including the Linear Cairn Cemetery, Nether Largie South Chambered Cairn and Temple Wood Stone Circle. The Loch Lomond & Cowal Way uses existing footpaths, forest tracks, slopes, quiet roads and traditional rights of way.

On Bute, the West Island Way is a 30-mile long-distance trail through coastal landscapes, beaches, farmland, moorland and woodland paths. As a 30-mile route, it runs along the rocky coast, past beaches and through the moorlands, farmland and woodland paths of the Isle of Bute. Discover Islay offers eight self-guided walking and cycling routes with maps and detailed route descriptions.

In the centre of Argyll Forest Park, Glenbranter Forest offers short walking trails and long riding paths. Waterfalls are located in the Allt-Robuic gorge.

Getting there

Visitor information for Argyll and Bute covers travel by road, rail, boat, bicycle and on foot. Buses between Dunoon and Strachur pass the entrance to Glenbranter Forest. Bute can be reached by the Wemyss Bay–Rothesay and Colintraive–Rhubodach ferry services.

Places in Argyll and Bute

Other places in the region: Ardentinny, Dunoon, Kilmun, Taynuilt, Tobermory, Tighnabruaich, Rhu, Lochgoilhead, Kilmelfort, Inveraray, Dalmally, Craignure, Carradale, Campbeltown, Bridge Of Orchy, Arrochar, Ardfern, Rowardennan, Lussagiven, Helensburgh, Appin, Luss, Cairndow, Tarbert, Lochgilphead, Saint Catherines, Lerags, Port Ellen, Ardlui, Rothesay, Inversnaid, Innellan, Cardross, Furnace, Ardrishaig, Isle Of Colonsay, Colintraive, Isle Of Mull, Garelochhead, Minard, Cairnbaan, Shandon, Crinan, Connel, Glencruitten, Bowmore, Dalavich, Kingarth, Isle of Islay, Kilchoan, Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, Tayinloan, Isle of Jura, Bunessan, Isle of Coll, Port Bannatyne, Kilbride, Kirn, Isle of Gigha, Strachur, Kames, Isle of Bute.

For the higher-level travel overview: Scotland.