Dog Friendly Holidays Argyll and Bute

Fircliff - The House on Bute is a superb waterside, B-listed Georgian property sitting within a large and enclosed walled garden. The accommodation is over three floors with unobstructed sea views from all main rooms over Loch Striven, the Firth of Clyde and the surrounding hills. It is a fabulous setting for groups or large families to get together in the exquisitely presented rooms with many unique items of furniture and design features. The kitchen and dining area is the focal point of the house and can easily accommodate all fourteen guests round the large bespoke dining table. There are four en-suite bedrooms with showers, the master bedroom having an additional cast iron roll-top bath, one family bathroom and one cloakroom. The younger party members can be accommodated in a room with twin beds and a bunk bed. In addition a dual purpose room with twin beds can double up as a games room. The boot/utility room offers space for outdoor wear, a drying rack, a washing machine and dog bed and crate. The adjacent shoreline offers easy access to launch kayaks and other water craft. Larger boats can also be launched locally.

There is plenty to do on the Isle of Bute, from adventure experiences to watching wildlife to visiting historical sites. There are many popular walks around the island, including the West Island Way. Recommendations are given and the boot room comes into its own for wet coats, muddy boats and mucky dogs! The quiet roads lends to excellent cycling, and the house in on the route of the 5 Ferry Challenge. Fishing is available on the inland and coastal waters. Loch Fad is 3½ miles away where you can rent a boat to fish for rainbow and brown trout or pike. The loch was also the location used for the first run of the recently restored Bluebird. There are three golf courses (9, 13 and 18 holes) on the island along with a putting green in Rothesay. There are sandy beaches galore where, if lucky, you can spy ospreys, terns, basking sharks, humpback whales, dolphins and seals. The Isle of Bute has been an important island historically, with marks left on the island that can be visited, from standing stones, to the location of a Viking parliament and more recently Rothesay Castle. Mount Stuart House and Gardens offers a fantastic day visit and the St Blane’s Chapel is situated in a tranquil corner of the island. The Discovery Centre houses a 97 seater cinema with weekly showings. In the summer you can book tickets to take a trip on the famous paddle steamer The Waverley.
The nearby Port Bannantyne offers a marina, pubs, restaurant, post office/shop and petanque club. The main ferry crossing from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay takes approximately 35 minutes and for access to the Cowal Peninsula the ferry from Rhubodach to Colintraive (only a 10-minute drive away) takes only 3 minutes, both do not need to be booked in advance. There is an excellent bus service on the island. Beach 3 miles. Shop ½ mile, pub 550 yards and restaurant ¼ mile.

Ideal for a romantic couple’s getaway, or an active sea-based adventure, Eider Cottage is a recently refurbished cottage, beautifully decorated to a high standard, set close to the shores of Loch Craignish in the village of Ardfern and only 25 minutes from Oban with all its shops, bars and ferry terminal linking to the Outer and Inner Hebrides and the mystical Island of Iona. Close to the shore, surrounded by nature, yet close to the village amenities, Eider Cottage is an ideal location for a nature lover’s relaxing break or an active land/water-based holiday.
Completed in 2021, the open plan living space with well equipped kitchen provides the perfect setting for a great holiday complemented by a spacious bedroom with cosy kingsize bed and a contemporary bathroom with large walk-in shower. Dining outside will be a delight on the south-facing decking overlooking Loch Craignish. The shores of Loch Craignish are a stone’s throw from the cottage, where you will enjoy exploring the peaceful sheltered waters of the Lagoon. A very popular area for kayakers and canoeists, Loch Craignish is the ideal base for touring Argyll and the surrounding Islands. Perfect for hillwalkers and nature lovers and a short distance from the famous Kintyre Way Walk. As Loch Craignish is a sea loch, there is an abundance of wildlife in the surrounding area including an array of sea birds and seals.
Close by, in Ardfern village, there is a friendly village pub and restaurant, café and takeaway, gift shop, marina with chandlery, well-stocked village shop and post office. Locally within a few minutes’ drive or walk, many activities are offered including riding, sailing, canoeing, fresh water, and sea fishing as well as walks and boat excursions. Right on your doorstep and within 7 miles of Ardfern is the renowned Kilmartin Glen and its impressive offering of pre-historic sites, including castles, standing stones, burial cairns, hill forts and Kilmartin Museum. Also, right next door is the Moine Mhor, a lowland raised bog of international importance, a rugged and beautiful landscape that is the wild heartland of Kilmartin Glen with the ancient hill fort of Dunadd is just short distance further towards Lochgilphead.
Wildlife includes many woodland birds and birds of prey, beavers, red squirrels, red and roe deer, seals, otters, and pine martins. Fresh Seafood abounds in the many delightful eating places scattered around the area, where local produce proudly served and deliciously presented. A 16-mile drive takes you to the local country town of Lochgilphead, which has a variety of specialist shops, cafés and restaurants, a swimming pool, golf course and sports centre. Offering a great day out after a scenic 25-mile drive north is the bustling port town of Oban, the Gateway to the Isles, with plenty to do also in Inveraray, the capital of Argyll further to the East and Campbeltown to the far South on the Kintyre Peninsula.

This homely, pet-friendly lodge rests on the bay in Craobh Haven near Ardfern, Argyll and Bute. Family-friendly. Rural location. Beautiful views. Off-road parking. Ground-floor living. Lochgilphead 17.9 miles; Oban 22.4 miles.

This spacious house is ideally set on the waterfront in Kames, Tighnabruaich on Argyll’s Secret Coast. Boasting stunning views over the Kyles of Bute, this property is only 20 yards from the waterfront. Ideal for a family or group of friends looking to relax and enjoy this special place. The location, and the views over the Kyles of Bute are simply magnificent. Nearby is the main street of Tighnabruaich where you will find local arts and crafts, cafés and welcoming pubs
Argyll’s Secret Coast boasts isolated beaches, pretty villages, delightful fishing ports and some great local dining in pubs or the celebrated Botanica or Inver restaurants. Popular tourist attractions include the spectacular Portavadie Marina, Mount Stuart, Inverary Castle, the towering trees of Ardkinglass, Benmore Botanical Gardens and seasonal visits to Rothesay and Tighnabruaich from the world’s only ocean-going paddle steamer, ‘The Waverley’. The Isles of Bute, Arran, Jura and Islay are all easily reached by ferry. Beautiful sandy beach 1 mile. Pub 1 mile.

Innish Beag is a cosy escape for two on the Isle of Seil, connected by road bridge to the mainland, making it the most accessible island of the Inner Hebrides. Cross the bridge and enter an island idyll, surrounded by beautiful countryside, friendly folk and lovely sea views over the Bridge. An ideal romantic couple’s retreat, with a loft bedroom and stunning sea views, Innish Beag will not disappoint! There is a warm and welcoming open plan kitchen, dining and living areas with stunning sea views towards the Bridge. Wooden stairs climb up to the wood-lined loft bedroom with cosy double bed, where the views only get better!! Served by a spacious bathroom on the ground floor, there is everything a couple will need for an island break! Outside, you have access to a large lawned front garden, where you can sit and immerse yourself in the views. The rear hillside garden is lawned with mature shrubs and features a hidden barbeque area.
Innish Beag is within just a few yards of an excellent pub and eatery, and although rural, the island is really well served for amenities. With an excellent local store at Balvicar, plus several shops, pubs and restaurants on the island, you will not have to travel far to find a place to eat out or find something to do or explore. The Isle of Seil is one of the Slate Islands, known as the “Islands which roofed the World” and has been linked to the mainland by the Clachan Bridge (Bridge Over The Atlantic) since the late 18th century. An abundance of wild life in the area; eagles, buzzards, kestrels, otters, deer, badgers, and a friendly local community, makes it an ideal place to get away from the bustle of city life and unwind.
There are several fantastic boat trip operators nearby offering a chance to see the amazing wildlife including a high speed Rib Boat trip through the Corryvreckan whirlpools. There is a nine hole golf course on the island, charters, kayaking, diving and numerous walks. The bridge which connects the Isle of Seil to the mainland enables easy access for exploring the Oban area and mid-Argyll as well as Glencoe and Fort William. Beach 14½ miles. Pub and restaurant 85 yards.
Innish Beag (ref UK38782) can be booked together with Innish (ref UK38783) to accommodate up to 10 guests.

Situated within the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, Benmore Drimfern is a fantastic bungalow with an open plan living space as well as a second living room with panoramic views. It makes an ideal base from which to explore this stunningly beautiful area with Benmore Botanic Gardens on the doorstep as is the fantastic Pucks Glen with amazing walks and waterfalls. The surrounding area is known as Argyll’s Secret Coast with its sparkling sea lochs, romantic ruins, ancient forests and stunning scenery. This coastal route takes you through some of the most stunning parts of Argyll’s Secret Coast; a magical undiscovered corner of Cowal. A number of public gardens are located in the area, such as Ardkinglas, Crarae and Benmore Botanic Gardens with its avenue of giant redwood trees. There are three golf courses available locally and many opportunities for a spot of fishing.
The town of Dunoon is nearby and offers a good centre for shopping, leisure facilities and a small cinema. The Argyll Forest, part of the simply gorgeous Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, is on the doorstep and has numerous forest tracks, marked walks, cycle ways and wonderful waterfalls to explore. For those a bit more adventurous, the ferry at Colintraive to Rhubodach takes only three minutes to cross the sea loch and arrive on the Isle of Bute, a famous tourist destination over the years with many attractions such as Mount Stuart House and Gardens as well as the Victorian seaside resort of Rothesay. From this luxurious home, guests can explore many small villages such as Tighnabruaich and Kames with a spectacular viewing point en-route which looks out over the Kyles of Bute. Loch Fyne with its famous restaurant and oyster bar is not far away as is Inveraray; both great for a day trip.
Benmore Drimfern (UK38742) and Benmore Formentor Cottage (UK38743) can be booked together to accommodate up to 12 guests.

This charming 2nd floor apartment is situated in Rothesay, the islands main town and offers stunning views over the bay from most windows. Mere yards away is the promenade, with its stunning ever-changing views across the bay, the gardens with award-winning floral displays, the Isle of Bute discovery centre with tourist information and cinema, castle, museum, ferry terminal, bus terminal, supermarkets, cafés, and restaurants.
There is plenty to do on the Isle of Bute, from adventure experiences to watching wildlife to visiting historical sites. There are many popular walks around the island, including the West Island Way. There are three golf courses, 9, 13 and 18 holes, on the island along with a putting green in Rothesay. There are sandy beaches galore where, if lucky, you can spy ospreys, terns, basking sharks, humpback whales, dolphins, and seals.
The Isle of Bute has been an important island historically, with marks left on the island that can be visited, from standing stones to the location of a Viking parliament and more recently Rothesay Castle. Mount Stuart House and Gardens offers a fantastic day visit and the St Blane’s Chapel is situated in a tranquil corner of the island. The Discovery Centre houses a 97-seater cinema with weekly showings. In the summer you can book tickets to take a trip on the famous paddle steamer The Waverley. The nearby Port Bannantyne offers a marina, pubs, restaurant, post office/shop and petanque club. The main ferry crossing from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay takes approximately 35 minutes and for access to the Cowal Peninsula the ferry from Rhubodach to Colintraive, only a 10-minute drive away, takes only 3 minutes, both do not need to be booked in advance.

A large guest house and annex over three floors in a prime position in the town of Rothesay, Isle of Bute. Garden with seating and hot tub. Coastal views. Ideal for special occasions and large groups. Port Bannatyne 1.7 miles; Kilchattan 7.8 miles.

Situated in the Victorian town of Helensburgh, this spacious ground floor apartment is situated only a short walk away from the banks of Gare Loch and the town centre, with a host of attractions including shops, restaurants, bars, cinema and cafés all within a short walk. Walking is a popular pursuit, from gentle low-level strolls to strenuous mountain climbs. The John Muir Way starts just 100 yards from the apartment and is a very popular Coast to Coast walk from Helensburgh to the shores of Loch Lomond at Balloch. Ben Lomond, Ben Lui, Ben Ime and Ben Vorlich are among the 21 Munros (mountains over 3000 feet).

The West Highland Way stretches from the edge of Glasgow to Fort William, hugging the banks of Loch Lomond and passing through the spectacular mountain scenery of Strathfillan. There are great opportunities for cycling on and off road on The John Muir and 3 Lochs Way, and you can then link up with the Loch Lomond and Cowal Way. Cameron House, the 5 star golf/spa resort is just a 10-minute drive from the apartment where guests can enjoy fine dining, day spa packages and championship golf. Lomond Shores, again a short distance from the property, offers designer shopping, loch cruises and an aquarium. The cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh are easily accessible by car boasting award-winning restaurants, theatres, galleries, concert venues and designer shopping, as well as many tourist attractions including the breath taking Edinburgh Castle.

This spacious house is set in a delightful position in the coastal town of Rothesay, on the beautiful Isle of Bute. One of the most accessible Scottish islands, the Isle of Bute is just a short ferry ride across the Firth of Clyde. Here you will find the Victoriana meets art deco-style resort of Rothesay with its palm trees and promenade. Bute has some extraordinarily varied landscapes considering it is only 15 miles long and 4 miles wide.
Set over three floors with a main house and annex, Argyle House is a wonderful base for families and friends to come together for a special occasion or family catch-up. The well-equipped kitchen is perfect for rustling up a holiday feast to enjoy together in the impressive dining room, means there is plenty of space to spread out and relax after a busy day.

When you’re ready to explore, the captivating town of Rothesay offers plenty of amenities from independent shops to pubs, bars and restaurants, not to mention the impressive castle ruins and Mount Stuart House. To the north of Rothesay, through the small community of Porth Bannatyne, lies Ettrick Bay, Bute’s most accessible beach, which is a haven for able swimmers· Bute is perfect for cycling, and the circuit of the island on the quiet roads is about 21 miles with none of the hills being too taxing· There are plenty of lovely beaches for a seaside stroll, and there is sea fishing off the piers if you want to try for mackerel and inland there are lochs to catch rainbow trout and pike· The Firth of Clyde is a sailing paradise, and golf enthusiasts are well catered for on the Isle of Bute· This quaint island even has its own gin distillery, definitely worth a visit! Exploring the rest of Scotland could not be easier; simply catch a ferry across to Glasgow and make the most of the fabulous attractions and amenities on offer. Beach 50 yards.