Dog Friendly Holidays Argyll and Bute

With stunning views over the loch and the Paps of Jura this beautifully presented cottage provides a tranquil retreat from which to explore Kintyre and the islands. It is located within easy reach of Tarbert, the gateway to Kintyre, which offers local shops, pubs and restaurants. Local events include the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series Yacht Race, Tarbert Music Festival and Tarbert fair. The Kintyre Peninsula is renowned for its rugged beauty and beautiful beaches with The Kintyre Way, a series of walks criss-crossing the peninsula, stretching from Tarbert at the north end of the peninsula, to Machrihanish in the south.

It is an ideal location for exploring the local area including the the village of Skipness with its castle and seafood cabin, the village of Carradale, Campbeltown and Machrihanish with its world-famous golf course and the Mull of Kintyre. Ferries to the islands of Islay, Gigha, Jura and Arran are easily accessed as is the ferry to Ireland from Campbeltown. The ferry to Portavadie, with its stylish marina is only 11 miles away and gives access to the Cowal Peninsula and Dunoon. Wildlife is abundant with red squirrel, sika and roe deer, feral goats and a large variety of birdlife, including red grouse, hen harriers, buzzards and eagles. Machrihanish is also home to the Seabird and Wildlife Observatory. Seals and otters are seen regularly, and whale watching tours are available from Campbeltown in the summer months.

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.

Perched on the edge of the crystal clear waters of Loch Etive, this luxury upper conversion enjoys breathtaking panoramic views towards the Falls of Lora, Mull and Morven. With the bustling fishing port of Oban close by, this property provides an ideal base from which to explore this beautiful part of the Northern Highlands and islands.
From the seaside town of Oban visit the Isle of Mull, just a short ferry trip away. Mull’s capital, Tobermory, is instantly recognisable by its famous brightly painted buildings. The island has a fascinating history, once being home to the chief of Clan MacLean, and the site of the clan’s ancient Duart Castle, which has spectacular views from its battlements.
Further south along the coast are the unspoilt glens and bays of Mid Argyll and Kintyre, and the islands of Islay and Jura which are reachable by ferry. Visit the whitewashed houses of Inveraray and the turreted Inveraray Castle, once home to the Duke of Argyll. Campbeltown in Kintyre has some lovely beaches nearby.
The captivating Isle of Bute lies at the heart of the Firth of Clyde. It is a place of tranquil relaxation with sheltered coves and sandy bays, ideal for leisurely hiking and easy-going cycling. Take in the grandeur of Rothesay Castle or Mount Stuart House and Gardens, where the Marquess of Bute once lived. You can also take a ferry to visit the beautiful islands of Iona, Staffa and the Treshnish Isles. The area is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts, mountain bikers, mountain climbers and walkers with all the nearby glens, mountain ranges and coastal paths to explore. For the less energetic, sit back, relax and watch the ever changing scenery from the comfort of this lovely property. Beach 7¾ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

This charming cottage is situated in the quiet village of Kilberry, surrounded by wonderful views across the sea towards Islay, Jura and the island of Gigha. It is a tranquil haven, a cosy place to unwind and to take a breath of clean sea air.
It is the perfect place to relax and escape the city but don’t worry, there is plenty to explore including Templar gravestones, a fabulous coastline where seals, otters and a variety of birds can be seen. In the hills, deer roam and golden eagles soar. There are many activities available nearby including whirlpool watching, sea fishing, bird watching, art trails, horse trekking, mountain biking and island hopping. There’s even a small art gallery next door!
The village of Tarbert can be reached within 30 minutes drive and offers a supermarket, shops, restaurants, coffee shops and a nine hole golf course. Ferries are close by for trips to Islay, Jura and Gigha to the west and to the east, Arran. Further South lies the beautiful sands of Westport Beach, great for surfers. In Campbeltown you will find several famous distilleries and the category A listed Glasgow school Art Nouveau style picture house. Kintyre is home to five golf courses, the most famous of which is the championship course at Macrihanish, with its infamous first hole. Further south is the beautiful Southend and the wild Mull of Kintyre.
From Tarbert, cross Loch Fyne to Portavadie with its swimming pool, spa and restaurant facilities and from there you can explore Tighnabruaich and the Cowal Peninsula, Argyll’s Secret Coast. To the north you will find the town of Lochgilphead, the historic and mystical Kilmartin Glen, Knapdale forest and the Scottish Beaver trail. Walk or cycle the beautiful Crinan Canal or take a trip to Coryvreckan, the third largest whirlpools on the planet. Oban, the gateway to the isles, is also worth a visit. Beach 1 mile. Shop and café (seasonal Easter to October) 1 mile. Pub 1 mile. Shop and restaurant 13 miles.

Rhunahaorine Cottage, built around 1880, has been thoughtfully and lovingly restored by the owners and provides a luxurious, well-equipped, stylish, holiday home with space for guests to relax and enjoy their surroundings. The cottage is surrounded by an abundance of natural wildlife, the clean environment and clear waters are home to all sorts of interesting wildlife. Guests can relax on the sitting area by the wildlife pond and watch the wildlife come and go. The Machrihanish Seabird/Wildlife Observatory is located nearby at Gauldrons Beach and is fantastic for watching migratory birds.
Campbeltown is one of a handful of areas in Scotland categorised as a whisky producing region, and is home to the Campbeltown Single Malt, at one point having 34 distilleries and proclaiming itself the whisky capital of the world. The town boasts two distilleries, museum, heritage centre, harbour, cinema, leisure centre and an annual regatta and music festival.
The town is well-served with supermarkets, independently owned shops, and excellent hotels and restaurants offering the finest local produce.
The lovely village of Tarbert with its harbour, marina and ancient castle is another opportunity to explore.
The Kintyre area is well-known for its fine, white sandy beaches including Westport surfing beach, Macrihanish, Point Sands, A’Cleit, Peninver and Carradale beaches as well as the stunning beach of Dunaverty at Southend.
Unspoilt countryside abounds and whether cycling or walking there are scenic views on East and West coasts of the peninsula.
Lying just off the west coast of Kintyre, the Isle of Gigha offers a pleasant day trip. There is easy access to the Isles of Islay, Arran and Jura. Jura is one of the wildest and most mountainous of the Inner Hebrides. Islay is great for wildlife enthusiasts as it boasts a large RSPB reserve, a wintering population of barnacle and white-fronted geese, and a wildlife information centre.
For the outdoor enthusiast, there are three golf courses, walking along the Kintyre Way, cycling, fishing and water sports. Beach 1 mile. Shop 5 miles, pub and restaurant 4 miles.

Situated within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Willow Lodge is the perfect location from which to explore this magnificent region. There are some beautiful walks direct from the door such as Pucks Glen and Benmore Botanical Gardens is within walking distance too. This stunningly beautiful area has a wide range of activities on offer, with Dunoon, close by, offering 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. Walkers should seek out the newly opened Cowal Way; a long-distance walk running from Portavadie to Arrochar. Explore Argylls 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. Several public gardens are 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. At Colintraive there is a short ferry crossing over to the picturesque Isle of Bute and a visit to the fabulous Victorian Gothic Mount Stuart House is a must. Tighnabruaich has a RYA sailing school and a selection of small shops. Inveraray is also a great day out with the Castle, the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll and the 19th century Inveraray Jail, both well worth a visit.

Situated on a working sheep hill farm, high above the Kintyre Coastline, Ballygroggan Farmhouse is at the end of a long and winding road up into the back of beyond countryside, next to Machrihanish beaches and golf course. The farmhouse also overlooks Gauldrons Bay, a stony beach with volcanic sill outcrops that also play host to a resident seal colony. This lovely Victorian property offers uninterrupted views out across the Sound of Kintyre. As well as seeing the islands of Islay, Jura and Gigha, on exceptionally clear days the coastline of Northern Ireland is also visible, 14 miles away. The longest and hardest part of the Kintyre Way walk goes through the back of the farmyard onto the higher hill with Cnoc Moy dominating the skyline. As well as birdwatching, the dynamic changing views of the sea and skies provide a peace and tranquillity from a place where you can sit and ponder on the slower pace of life.
The farmhouse is warm, dry and big enough to snuggle up on wet days reading, watching a movie, or enjoying hobbies. With satellite broadband throughout the property, which can be weather dependent, streaming from your own Sky go account should mean you can keep up with your downloads and pre-records. Recent additions include a tall freezer in the boot room and a tall overflow fridge in the utility room. In Machrihanish village, the beaches have soft white sand decorated with an abundance of shells, there is a children’s play park and a pub in Machrihanish which is open for food and drink all day, plus has it’s world-renowned golf course. Within a 20 mile radius of this area are five top quality golf courses, open come rain or shine. Close by is the town of Campbeltown, famous for its whiskey shops, but also served by two supermarkets, many lovely independently owned shops, and some excellent restaurants. There are ferry services and Campbeltown also has an airport with multiple flights daily in and out. Pub 2 miles down the hill in Machrihanish village.

Ardrhu Cottage is a cosy cottage situated within walking distance of the town of Dunoon, with its many facilities, and is a great base from which to explore The Cowal Peninsula. This stunningly beautiful area has a wide range of activities on offer, with Dunoon offering 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. Walkers should seek out the newly opened Cowal Way; a long distance walk running from Portavadie to Arrochar. Explore 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. At Colintraive there is a short ferry crossing over to the picturesque Isle of Bute and a visit to the fabulous Victorian Gothic Mount Stuart House is a must. Tighnabruaich has a RYA sailing school and a selection of small shops. Inveraray is also a great day out with the Castle, the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll and the 19th century Inveraray Jail, both well worth a visit. Beach 400 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 400 yards.

Overlooking the Crinan Canal, described as the ’most beautiful shortcut in Britain’, Printmakers Cottage has been converted from an old barn, attached to Braeface House at the Bellanoch Basin section of the canal. A Grade II listed stone building, it is believed to have been built to house the engineers involved in the construction of the canal which began in 1794. The cottage boasts amazing views over the canal to the estuary of the River Add, which is a protected area, and further to Loch Crinan and Duntrune Castle and gardens.

This lovely property has all the modern facilities you need, and also provides great accommodation for those who may have limited mobility. There is a double bedroom with fantastic views and a wet room on the ground floor. The main living area is double height with a gallery to the study area and exposed beams. The upper floor contains a double bedroom and a bunk bedroom, plus a further bathroom as well as a chill out /study area. The cottage has been sympathetically furnished by the owner, who is an artist, and her daughter, who both have a history in interior design and furniture restoration. Shop 5 miles, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

Midcraigs is in a wonderful location just off the A83, 3 miles from Campbeltown, a pretty harbour town at the very southern end of the Kintyre Peninsula. Recently renovated in 2019 to a very good standard with a galleried living room with wooden floor and wood burner, there are many thoughtful touches which would make this an ideal family holiday base. There’s a separate cinema area on the gallery with a 55" TV, Playstation, table football, games and sports equipment to borrow. Flexible sleeping arrangements include a double bedroom on the ground floor, a charming bedroom on the first floor with three single beds, and a sofa bed on the gallery.
There are stunning beaches to explore close by, and with loads of outdoor sports and three golf courses, you’ll always have plenty to do! This warm and charming cottage makes a fantastic base for couples, friends or families to relax and enjoy beautiful Kintyre and the Southern Hebrides. The town centre, with its variety of pubs, restaurants, shops and museums, is just a 5-minute drive away. The property is very quiet and private, and is in an elevated location with a south westerly facing aspect. It has a contemporary décor with a family focus and is pet friendly, with an enclosed garden, outdoor hose and pet welcome pack, along with private parking.
Midcraigs is located close to the peaceful, little coastal town of Campbeltown on the beautiful Kintyre Peninsula. Enjoying a better than average climate, due to the warming Gulf Stream, as the palm trees on the sea front demonstrate, it is an ideal base for exploring the many attractions of the southern Kintyre peninsula and the Southern Hebrides. Davaar Island in the bay can be visited to discover the world-famous cave painting. It also has several fine period buildings, including the oldest purpose-built retro cinema. Campbeltown is home to three whisky distilleries, Springbank, Glen Scotia and Kilkerran, which produce world renowned malt whiskies and offer distillery tours. Beach 2 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.