Dog Friendly Holidays Argyll and Bute

Right on the water’s edge with an enclosed sun-deck, 4 Dolphins offers a luxurious water’s edge holiday experience with seals, otters and seabirds, so close you can almost touch them! The experience of being so close to the sea is something quite exceptional and you will never tire of the ever-changing views and sounds whilst you sit looking out, either from the sun-deck or the comfort of the glass fronted living room. 4 Dolphins is situated on the coastal outskirts of Connel, 6 miles north of Oban on the shores of Loch Etive, and is the ground level luxury apartment created by the owners who live in the house next door.
With exceptional attention to detail and with the comfort of guests paramount, all rooms are luxuriously decorated with comfort and convenience in mind. Within walking distance of 4 Dolphins are three restaurants and three bars, a convenience store, and a railway station. You are feet away from the beautiful Loch Etive and just 5 minutes from the amazing natural attraction of the Falls of Lora, a tidal race underneath the Connel Bridge. Nearby attractions within a 5-minute drive are Dunstaffnage Castle and the Ocean Explorer Centre in the village of Dunbeg which also has a very popular Garden Centre with a café.
Across the Connel Bridge, a 10-minute drive takes you to the village of Benderloch, with its famous Pink Shop, grocery store, cafés, Tralee Beach, Ben Lora woodland walks and easy access onto national Cycle Route 78 which stretches all the way from Oban to Fort William. Oban, just 10 minutes drive, is a bustling west coast harbour town, and has lots going on for the visitor at any time of the year. Known as the ’Gateway to the Isles’, with ferries leaving daily to many islands, such as Mull, Iona, Staffa and Lismore. In keeping with its reputation as the Seafood Capital of Scotland, there are some excellent restaurants, cafés and pubs.
The area is a paradise for golfers, water sports enthusiasts, mountain bikers, mountain climbers and walkers with all the nearby glens, mountain ranges and coastal paths to explore. Inveraray, the ancient capital of Argyll, with its Castle and Jail, is a fun day out for the family. For any guests with young children, there is pony trekking available in the area. A trip to the Isle of Seil, over the Bridge over the Atlantic and a fast fun boat trip viewing whirlpools and wildlife, is another day out for family fun! Further afield, but within an hour’s drive, visitors can enjoy the scenery of Glencoe, take a trip to Fort William to see Ben Nevis or catch the Harry Potter train. Beach 8 miles, shop ½ mile, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

Surrounded by 150 acres of glorious wooded grounds, abundant in wildlife. Amidst a glorious landscape of unspoilt wooded glens, fragmented coastline, stunning sea lochs and breathtaking bays, the delightful cottages at Home Farm nestle in the peaceful wooded valley of the River Ruel. The steading and cottages, formerly the home farm to the estate, have been lovingly restored and are very comfortably furnished in contemporary Scottish style. Their spacious courtyard setting affords each of them a sense of privacy and they all boast access to 150 acres of wooded grounds, abundant in bird and wildlife, with free trout and salmon fishing on the Ruel beat owned by Home Farms - the fishing hut provides an ideal picnic spot. One of the most admired views in Scotland, The Kyles of Bute, awaits discovery just 6 miles away, as do the tranquil village of Tighnabruaich’s lovely natural bays, sandy beach, shops, restaurants and 9 hole golf course. Colintraive, 9 miles, offers a pub serving good food and there is a summer shop (limited opening hours) adjacent to Home Farm. Beach 5 miles. Shop 13 miles, pub and restaurant 7 miles.

This cosy cottage benefits from a stunning location directly on the Lochside, with loch views from the sitting room, main bedroom and front garden. It is a cosy and comfortable home, but not contemporary in style.

Sitting in quiet isolation with Loch Fyne only 20 yards from the door, Beech Cottage is a detached, compact holiday cottage that has magnificent views across the loch and to the historic town of Inveraray which boasts a spectacular castle, home to the Duke of Argyll, and to Dunderave Castle.

Accessed by a rough track, this cottage lies in an area of Argyll with stunning beauty, fantastic walking and the opportunity for water-based activities. The area abounds with nature and there are seals, otters, porpoises and many sea birds that can be seen from the cottage. There are also many local sight-seeing activities, from visiting historic castles to stunning famous gardens and forests. It is also a great launch pad to visit much of Argyll’s famous scenery, lochs, mountains and coast. There are many wonderful restaurants locally, including the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, 5 miles, the Creggan’s Inn, 5 miles and The George Inn, Inveraray. Loch Lomond National Park is close by to explore with walking, cycle paths, fishing and loch cruises. Benmore Botanic Gardens, 18 miles, provides stunning biophilic colour.

The cottage is also an Eco-friendly home, using an electric boiler and central heating system and we encourage the use of only environmentally friendly cleaning products which are provided. Energy use is from renewable sources only so that we minimise the cottage’s impact on the environment. This is a remote part of Scotland, which is part of its appeal, but there are no supermarket or other amenities within immediate reach. The nearest small town is Inveraray which is a 25-30 minute drive and has a small supermarket.

A cosy chalet bungalow, overlooking Asknish Bay, in the wee hamlet of Arduaine, with stunning views south and west over the islands of Shuna, Scarba and Jura. Climb the small hill behind the chalet for even more far-reaching views to Luing, the Garvellachs and beyond or just relax on the decked veranda and enjoy the magnificent sunsets. There’s a pub/restaurant at the nearby yacht marina, a walk of about 20 minutes along the coast road, or take a 10 minute stroll to the local hotel, with, arguably, the best views on the west coast of Scotland. Shop 4 miles, pub and restaurant ½ miles.

This tastefully restored, detached cottage is situated only yards from Loch Long and boasts stunning views over the open water. Situated within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, The Heron, formerly the village tea rooms, is located in the hamlet of Ardentinny, near Dunoon. It is sited next to the Argyll Forest which offers numerous forest tracks, marked walks and cycleways, all easily accessible from your doorstep. The cottage is only 25 yards to the shore where you can walk, fish, launch a canoe or just rest on the rocks, relax and enjoy the view. A large variety of wildlife can be spotted from the cottage including bottlenose dolphins, eider ducks, harbour seals and red squirrels. Nearby, the magnificent woodland gardens at Benmore Botanic Gardens are well worth a visit. The town of Dunoon is within easy reach and has a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants. Take a steamer cruise and explore the hills and lochs of the Cowal Peninsula. Shop, pub and restaurant 4 miles.

Enjoying a peaceful setting, this detached, single-storey holiday cottage makes an ideal base from which to explore this glorious area of the west coast of Scotland. Close to the pretty village of Benderloch and the sandy beach at Tralee Bay, there are plenty of attractions including the Sea Life Centre, Castle Stalker, Bonawe Iron Works and Cruachan Hollow Mountain. There is superb walking and climbing with miles of forestry tracks and cycle ways to discover. The Hebridean islands of Mull, Lismore, Staffa and Iona are easily reached and offer wonderful scenery and wildlife. The nearby harbour town of Oban offers a full range of shops, excellent restaurants, leisure centre and a cinema.

This charming Category B-listed holiday cottage is situated only yards from Loch Long and boasts stunning views over the open water. Nestled in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Raglan Cottage is the perfect escape for guests wishing to relish the peace. Sited next to the Argyll Forest, which offers numerous forest tracks, marked walks and cycleways, all easily accessible and right on your doorstep, this terraced holiday cottage is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore this delectable location. The cottage has the additional benefit of a large front deck overlooking the water’s shore only 3m away from the end of the garden. Guests can, fish for their tea (rods in the cottage) launch a kayak or just rest on the pebble beach and watch for our resident porpoises and seals playing in the Loch. Or you could take a walk along to the local Ardentinny pub and bistro for a warm welcome, and on a fine day grab a table on their beautiful Lochside deck - booking advised for food.
Ardentinny’s sandy beach where the Cowal hills and forest tumble down to the shore is a short stroll from the cottage’s front door and opens into some spectacular trails.
Nearby, the magnificent woodland gardens at Benmore Botanic Gardens are well worth a visit and the incredible Pucks Glen is a must-see for those who love a mystical landscape of gorges and waterfalls. Whilst the town of Dunoon is within easy reach (there is a bus directly from Ardentinny) and has a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants when in Dunoon check out the Queens Hall and Burgh Hall for excellent music gigs and entertainment and also try Dunoon’s little cinema for a night at the movies Take a Wreckspeditions or Waverley paddle steamer cruise and explore Loch Long and Kyles of Bute.
Known as Argyll’s Secret Coast, the Cowal Peninsula is tucked away in a small corner of Argyll, on the west coast of Scotland. Bordered by Loch Fyne and the Kyles of Bute, it’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within Scotland’s first National Park, with hills, glens, rugged coastlines, white beaches, clear waters and ancient forests.
Argyll’s Secret Coast is packed with places to visit and things to do. Many sailors, walkers, cyclists and artists are all drawn to this area for its natural beauty. Explore the forests and coastline by foot, bike, kayak or boat.
Abundant in wildlife, including deer, buzzards, otters, golden eagles, red squirrels and even, if you’re very lucky dolphins and porpoises, this beautiful location offers much for the nature lover. The whole area is steeped in Highland history and dotted with ruins, castles and ancient sites. A short drive takes you to Portavadie, with its new marina and the ferry over to Tarbert to explore the Kintyre Peninsula with ferries to the Islands of Islay, Jura and Arran. Shop and restaurant 4 miles.

Situated within the grounds of Stone House the apartment has excellent views over Loch Long and the Clyde Estuary. Being fully restored in 2018 to a high specification, this is the perfect place to unwind and relax. This delightful accommodation is placed within Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park whilst the Argyll Forest is to the rear.
Strone Lodge lies in a great location at the head of Strone Point ideal for exploring the Cowal Peninsula, Isle of Bute and Loch Lomond making it great for all age groups. There is a wide range of outdoor activities on offer with sailing, sea and river fishing, golf, deer stalking, quad and mountain biking, horse riding and clay pigeon shooting. The beautiful Benmore Botanic Gardens are well worth a visit and the many forest trails offer plenty of woodland paths for walking and cycling. Excursions on the famous paddle steamer ‘Waverley’ are available direct from Dunoon or Blairmore Pier during the summer season and are highly recommended. The whole area is steeped in history with plenty of ruined castles and monuments to visit. Wildlife is abundant with deer, otters, golden eagles, red squirrels and dolphins often seen. The town of Dunoon is within reach and has a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants to choose from, whilst Oban, Inveraray and Loch Lomond are also easily accessed. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

Situated within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Fern Cottage is located in the quiet hamlet of Ardentinny, near Dunoon. Fern Cottage is situated next to the Argyll Forest, which offers numerous forest tracks, marked walks and cycleways, all easily accessible, and right on your doorstep. Fern Cottage has listed building status, and retains many of its period features, such as stone walls, wooden panelling and the original cast iron and wood staircase. These have been tastefully blended with a mix of modern and antique furniture and fittings, to provide a cottage that guests feel offers something special. A guitar is also supplied for those budding musicians! Fern Cottage has the additional benefit of being only 15 yards from Loch Long, where you can make use of the private mooring or just relax by the shore, and enjoy the ever changing views and sounds. Fishing is also available from the shore or on the loch.
Nearby, the magnificent woodland gardens at Benmore Botanic Gardens are well worth a visit while the town of Dunoon is within easy reach and has a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants.
Take a steamer cruise and explore the hills and lochs of the Cowal Peninsula. Known as Argyll’s secret coast the Cowal Peninsula is tucked away in a small corner of Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. Bordered by Loch Fyne and the Kyles of Bute, it’s an area of stunning natural beauty, with hills, glens, rugged coastlines, white beaches, clear waters and ancient forests.
Argyll’s secret coast, is packed with places to visit and things to do, and sailors, walkers, cyclists and artists are all drawn to this area for its natural beauty. Explore the forests and coastline by foot, bike, kayak or boat. Abundant with wildlife with deer, buzzards, otters, golden eagles, red squirrels and even, if you’re very lucky, basking sharks while you are out and about. The whole area is steeped in Highland history and dotted with ruins, castles and ancient sites. A short drive takes you to Portavadie with its marina and the ferry to Tarbert where you can explore the Kintyre Peninsula with ferries to the islands of Islay, Jura and Arran.

Tigh an Aighear is a well-appointed, detached cottage, situated all on one level and commanding stunning views across Loch Melfort towards the islands of Shuna, Scarba and Jura. Located in the small hamlet of Arduaine, just 20 miles south of Oban, there are plenty of local tourist attractions, boat trips and walking opportunities available nearby. Within a short walk is the National Trust for Scotland Arduaine Garden with a coastal view point looking out over the Sound of Jura. Beside Arduaine Garden is a popular hotel that accommodates both casual and fine dining.

Craobh Haven, a popular holiday and sailing village with berths for up to 250 vessels, is a 5-minute drive or a 30-minute walk to the south. It has a harbourmaster, marina office and village store, as well as stunning views over to the islands of Shuna, Seil and Luing. Running regularly from here are a number of excellent wildlife cruises which also take in the famous Gulf of Corryvreckan, with one of the largest whirlpools in the world. Oban itself is around a 30-minute drive north along the A816 coastal road and is a picturesque, bustling harbour town with an array of splendid shops and restaurants to experience. Known as the ‘seafood capital of Scotland’, it does not disappoint. With fishing boats in the bay, and regular ferries leaving for the Inner and Outer Hebrides, one visit will never be enough. Towards Lochgilphead you will pass Kilmartin Glen, with many ancient monuments as well as the famous Crinan Canal built in 1801 which runs from Crinan to Ardrishaig. Beach 22 miles. Shop 4 miles, pub and restaurant 300 yards.