Pet Friendly Holidays Argyll and Bute

Larch Cottage is a lovely, detached property which sits on the hillside as part of 4 self-catering holiday cottages overlooking Loch Long and the Firth of Clyde and the beautiful Argyll hills to the west and North situated within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Sited close to the Argyll Forest which offers numerous forest tracks, marked walks and cycleways, all easily accessible and right on your doorstep. On the ground floor is an open plan living area with wood burner and feature glass hearth. There is a bathroom downstairs with shower and a double bedroom downstairs. Large patio doors leading out onto a deck complete with garden furniture and with magnificent views over the sea and hills beyond.
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, pine martins 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 5 star Marina and the ferry over to Tarbert to explore the Kintyre Peninsula with ferries to the Islands of Islay, Jura and Arran. Beach 400 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.
Larch Cottage can be booked together with Birch Cottage (UK523105), Rowan Cottage (CC523089) and Alder Cottage (CC523090).

Inveree is a historic villa in a raised position overlooking Oban and its picturesque harbour. Renovated in 2019-20 to a high standard, Inveree is a perfect holiday home for a week or two to explore this magical part of Scotland and the nearby islands. Equally it works well for a shorter stop en-route to or from the Outer Hebrides.
You’re within walking distance of everything in Oban, including many restaurants, cafés, pubs, galleries, viewpoints, shops and of course a distillery. There are lovely walks from the front door, following the bay in one direction towards the Kerrera ferry and in the other through Oban and to Dunollie Castle. A little further afield, you can go north and explore towards Appin and Castle Stalker. Glencoe and Fort William are only an hour’s drive north from Inveree too and to the east is Inveraray complete with the truly magnificent castle. To the south, the coastline is unspoilt with views of the islands almost a constant. Kilmartin Glen is a highlight and beyond is the spectacular Kintyre Peninsula, and more of those famous distilleries waiting to be explored. Ferries sail from Oban and you can easily hop on and off during the summer, visiting nearby islands including Mull and Iona.
The property itself is impressive with many characterful features. Its situation is unrivalled, slightly elevated above the harbour. Entering the property, you have a choice or two reception rooms, both with wonderful views. To the rear of the house there’s an excellently designed and finished kitchen complete with island hob and oven. To one side of the kitchen is the dining room/conservatory and the other side a utility room with downstairs toilet. The utility room has access to the rear garden, which is lawned in part, and enclosed, but is very steep so young children need to be watched when they’re exploring! Back inside, the staircase winds round from the front of the house and splits to access the front or rear upper rooms. To the rear of the first floor there’s a large bathroom with free standing bath, a separate shower room and third bedroom, a twin room. The upper front of the house has two large double bedrooms with the best views in the house, arguably up there with the best in Oban. Beach 2¾ miles. Shop ½ mile, pub and restaurant 500 yards.

At the south end of the coastal road just outside Colintraive, hidden amongst the mature gardens, is Dunyvaig a well-appointed detached property sitting almost on the water’s edge of the Kyles of Bute. From the large feature windows one can enjoy the back and forth of boats that use the Kyles of Bute to get to Tighnabruaich and beyond to the north, and Rothesay and beyond to the south. You can sense the peacefulness of the water from the comfort of the sofa in the living room or from the garden. It is perfect for families, groups or even couples who want some extra space to go with the peace and quiet.
Outside there is a sitting-out area to take advantage of the good weather, and the lush vegetation all around ensures complete privacy. Inside, the property has a double bedroom, a bedroom with twin beds that can be made into a double (bed linen provided), and two single bedrooms. There is a main shower room with a large shower cubicle as well as a second shower room just off the utility room. The well-equipped kitchen has all that you would require to prepare lunches and dinners, and the separate dining room is able to accommodate all guests comfortably.
The surrounding area is perfect for walkers, cyclists and bird watchers. Rothesay can be reached in 10 minutes on the Colintraive to Rhubodach ferry, which is less than a 2-minute crossing to the Isle of Bute. Tighnabruaich is worth a visit, it’s a real draw in the summer months and only a 30-minute drive. The viewing point on the way provides the best view you can get of the Kyles of Bute and surrounding areas. A little further, another 30 minutes, and you can get the ferry from Portavadie to Tarbert, and to some of the freshest sea food from various local establishments. In Portvadie itself, you can enjoy the marina with its spa and restaurant, a wonderful place where you can relax. Beach 9½ miles. Shop and pub serving food ½ mile.

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.

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.

Situated in the small community of Lunga midway between Oban and Lochgilphead, with stunning views of the inner islands of the Firth of Lorn, on the Northern shore of the Craignish peninsula, The Dancing Fox enjoys a hill-top location in one of the most scenic areas of Scotland. Just 3 minutes’ walk from the pristine waters of Lunga Bay with its ancient pier, it’s a natural adventure playground, surrounded by trees with magnificent sea views towards the magical Islands of Jura, Scarba and Shuna.

Artistically decorated with an eclectic mixture of vintage, antique and contemporary furniture and stunning art works, you will find yourself captivated by this amazing house. Downstairs, there is a sociable split-level, open plan living area, bespoke vintage kitchen and dining area with a patio door opening out onto the garden, as well as a separate comfortable spacious sitting room with a relaxing window seating area enjoying views over the gardens. The four bedrooms offer flexible sleeping arrangements to suit larger families. There are two large, tranquil bedrooms downstairs with leafy views over the gardens which are served by a delicious bathroom featuring an enormous rockpool stone bath, watched over by two stone seals. Upstairs, the spacious master bedroom with dressing room has a Juliet balcony with amazing sea views, a large, thoughtfully furnished dormer bedroom sleeping 4, both served by a magical bathroom with roll top bath and shower which enjoys secret views over the tree tops. There is a large, convenient utility room downstairs and a large lean-to shed, ideal for storing bikes/kayaks/skis with outside tap and sink and plentiful parking.

The large, creative garden is filled shrubs, artwork, secret seating areas and viewing spots. Following a track 150m downhill, takes you to Lunga pier and the horse-shoe shaped Lunga Bay with sandy, pebbly beach where you can swim in the pristine clear waters or launch small boats and kayaks. You can roam freely across the wilderness of the Craignish Peninsula and enjoy spotting wildlife along the coastline. There’s also a riding centre just 100m from The Dancing Fox where instruction and trekking is available. The Dancing Fox is well served for amenities within walking distance, with Craobh Haven marina and village just a mile away by single track road, which has a grocery shop, a craft and coffee shop, a launderette and a ship’s chandlery.

Arduaine, is just a 3-mile walk, where there is another hotel and bar and National Trust gardens. You can also walk or cycle three miles across the hill track to Ardfern with village shop, café, pub and hotel as well as sailing, canoeing, fresh water, sea fishing and boat excursions. Ardfern can also be reached by a 5 mile drive by road. The Ardfern road continues along the peninsula to within a mile of Craignish point, with views of the Corryvreckan whirlpool. Right on your doorstep and within 9 miles is the renowned prehistoric Kilmartin Glen, the Moine Mhor, a lowland raised bog of international importance, and the ancient hill fort of Dunadd. A 20-mile drive north takes you to the town of Oban, the Gateway to the Isles, also known as the Seafood Capital of Scotland, with huge variety of cafés, shops, restaurants, golf course, cinema and leisure centre. The county town of Lochgilphead, 20 miles south, has a variety of specialist shops, cafés and restaurants, a swimming pool, golf course and sports centre.

Situated on the most accessible of the west coast islands and straddling the Highland Line, this spacious apartment boasts stunning views over the open water and lies in a rural location, just a few yards from the shoreline. A popular destination for fishing, the inland lochs are popular with anglers for coarse and game fishing. Loch Fad offers the opportunity to fish for rainbow trout and is only 3 miles away. Relax as you explore the gently undulating hills, catch glimpses of the wildlife and marvel at the vistas.
Seaview Cottage (UK4769) is perfect for a couple’s getaway, offering a comfortable double bedroom with an additional sofa bed for flexible sleeping. The cottage also boasts a private garden with enclosed seaview patio and bubbling hot tub for cosy evenings under the stars.
For such a compact island, Bute offers varied landscapes from the lush, fertile and rolling hills of the island’s heart to the craggy, heather-covered moorlands of the north and the delightful sandy beaches around the coastline. A haven for walkers, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts, Bute has a wealth of wildlife including wild goats, buzzards and roe deer. Scalpsie Bay, set against the magnificent backdrop of Arran, is home to a large colony of seals.
There are many historical sites to visit including the standing stones at Ettrick Bay, the ancient chapel of St Blane, and the vitrified Iron Age Fort at Dunagoil. Visit the Victorian Gothic mansion of Mount Stuart, open to the public along with its beautiful gardens, Bute Museum, Rothesay Castle and the fabulous gardens of Ascog Hall and Ardencraig. There are many events held throughout the year, including the famous annual Jazz Festival, the spectacular Highland Games, traditional agricultural shows, concerts and art festivals; whatever your interest it can be found on the Isle of Bute. Catch the ferry for the 5-minute trip to Colintraive on the Cowal Peninsula and explore Argyll’s Secret Coast where you have easy access to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, or head north to Inverary and beyond. Take the ferry from Portavadie over to Jura and Islay, and Tarbert where you can explore Kintyre. Beach 50 yards.

Sunset View is a spectacular barn conversion located on the South Cowal Peninsula, when it comes to scenery and surroundings this property doesn’t disappoint. Each room has fantastic views either overlooking the beautiful Isle of Bute, the Arran hills or over Loch Striven.

This holiday accommodation is finished to the highest standard with beautiful oak doors and a bespoke oak and glass staircase is set off by the lovely Amtico flooring throughout. The living area has a smart curved TV and comfortable leather sofas. The sun room has a superb panoramic view over the water ideal for relaxing or reading a book.

The modern and stylish open plan living area blends into a beautifully finished kitchen with a stone topped island that takes centre stage, with modern appliances on hand and a large solid wooden table to gather around at meal times.

The bedrooms are fully furnished with solid oak furniture, hairdryers, kingsize beds and Smart TVs. The family room also has two single beds, and both upstairs bedrooms are en-suite. The ground floor bedroom has a bathroom adjacent to it, and all have underfloor heating.

Access to the shoreline is only 300 yards away, ideal for kayaks, canoes and fishing, or you can just relax and watch the boats as they sail past and take in the wildlife, which includes grey seals, birds of prey, swans, otters, dolphins and the occasional Orca has been spotted in the Cowal waters. However, if the water is not for you, there is some amazing forest walks and cycling and mountain bike tracks. Or why not explore the local area, with its botanic gardens, Puck’s Glen, local crafts, museums and shopping? Beach 300 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 5 miles.

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.

Holly Tree Cottage is tucked away in charming, historic Tain in the Scottish Highlands. Granted its first royal charter in 1066, Tain is the oldest royal burgh in the Scotland and you will find many interesting buildings throughout that you’ll enjoy wandering around and inspecting, especially since many host nice bars, cafés and restaurants. Holly Tree Cottage is a 19th-century, detached cottage set on a quiet street with the centre an easy walk away. The cottage itself is spacious and the owners have tastefully finished it to a very good standard. The kitchen/dining room is a lovely space where you will spend a lot of time, with its enormous wood burner taking centre stage. This room spills out to the garden, which is perfect for children and dogs to let off some steam. The garage is accessible from the garden and contains the washing machine and tumble dryer, as well as enough space to store kayaks, surfboards, golf clubs, bicycles and motorbikes. Back in the cottage there’s a great living room with another wood burner, a family bathroom and also a small double bedroom. Up on the first floor are two bedrooms, a double and twin, and a reading snug on the landing.
Tain has much to offer, including the Glenmorangie Distillery and the fantastic Old Tom Morris Golf Links. There is no beach in Tain, but the coastline, dunes and some tidal stretches of sand are great to explore on foot and footpaths through the golf course afford amazing views across the Dornoch Firth. Nearby Dornoch, Portmahomack and Shandwick all have spectacular stretches of golden sandy beaches to enjoy, and each place is worth a visit, too. Popular Dornoch has some great places to eat and drink in as well stunning historical buildings and Royal Dornoch Golf Links.
Tain also has the NC500 touring route skirting round it, so you can explore some of the best places in the whole of the UK. Head north via Golspie, Brora and Helmsdale to reach John O’Groats, Duncansby, the ferry to Orkney, Dunnet Head and many amazing beaches along the far north coast. The interior roads are also spectacular and worth exploring via Bonar Bridge and Lairg as well as Altnaharra. You can get across to Assynt and the west coast for a day surprisingly easily. Fly fishing is available on nearby salmon and trout rivers, as well as lochs on estates. Rest assured that a week’s stay won’t be long enough; you’ll love the accommodation and the surrounding area, and will want more time here. Beach 9 miles.