Pet Friendly Holidays Argyll and Bute
You'll find plenty of dog-friendly cottages and pet-friendly hotels in Argyll and Bute that let you explore the stunning scenery and glorious coastline of this beautiful area of Scotland. The area is perfect for a cosy romantic retreat with the spectacular sea loch and outstanding natural beauty.
- Tarbert, ScotlandThis 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.£65From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Dunoon, ScotlandSituated 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.£66From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Lochgilphead, ScotlandThis warm, charming detached bungalow with a homely atmosphere, thoughtfully presented by the owners, provides everything you’ll need on your coastal holiday. Ar Deireadh enjoys a sunny sheltered position only a few minutes’ walk from Tayvallich village centre. Enjoy the countryside views and stunning west coast sunsets through the large patio doors leading onto the garden form the living room. Offering two good-sized bedrooms, and an enclosed garden with a lockable shed for bike storage, Ar Deireadh is perfectly suited for families looking for a holiday close to a beach.
Tayvallich is a charming harbour village situated on the Knapdale Peninsula, with an excellent seafood restaurant, inn, coffee shop, shop and post office. Enjoying an enviable sheltered position on the shores of Loch Sween in a horseshoe bay surrounded by woodland, its a popular village for boating and sea kayaking, with public slipway and pontoons. There’s so much to do, with an all-purpose sports court next to the village hall, where ceilidhs are regularly held. A 10-minute walk takes you to the opposite side of the peninsula, to Carsaig Bay where you can enjoy views across Jura Sound and spectacular sunsets over the Isle of Jura, with fast ferries travelling across the sound so you can easily explore the island.
There’s plenty to see and do on the Knapdale Peninsula, close to Ar Deireadh. Visit the medieval Chapel of Keills and admire its display of carved stones, as well as its beautiful view of the MacCormaig Islands. You can also explore the National Nature Reserve on the Taynish Peninsula, which is home to one of the oldest oak forests in Britain, or explore the Scottish beaver trail in Knapdale Forest. The 12th-century Castle Sween sits on the opposite side of the loch, and Kilmory beach is easy to reach and a lovely destination for an afternoon stroll and picnic. Crinan harbour is 8 miles away through an attractive winding single track road or a walk/cycle along the canal towpath. Boats can be chartered from Crinan harbour and there are trips around the islands where it is possible to see whales, porpoise, seals, many sea birds including golden and white-tailed eagles, and the spectacular Corryvreckan Whirlpools. The Crinan Canal is one of the most beautiful waterways in Britain, and enjoys uninterrupted views of some of Scotland’s breathtaking and rugged natural landscape.
Within a 12-miles drive 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 almost 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. Just a short 12-mile drive takes you to the local town of Lochgilphead, which has a variety of specialist shops, cafés, restaurants, a swimming pool, golf course and sports centre. Further afield but offering a great day out are the towns of Oban, the Gateway to the Isles to the north, Inveraray, the capital of Argyll, to the east, and Campbeltown, with its world-class golf courses and stunning beaches, to the far south on the Kintyre Peninsula.£68From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Dunoon, ScotlandSituated within the Loch Lomond National Park, this spacious apartment overlooks Blairmore Pier and is a great base from which to explore The Cowal Peninsula. There is an enclosed garden to the rear of the property, which is adjacent to the village’s ruined 150 year old bakehouse, and is a magnet for wild birds. Swallows frequent the area in summer and can be seen swooping and diving across the rooftops.
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 and closer to home is the beautiful Puck’s Glen, a stunning gorge with breath taking green scenery and waterfall walks only 10 minutes’ drive as is Ardentinny beach, a magical pace to take a dip in the waters of Loch Long. 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.
No visitor to Argyll can leave without seeing the wonderful sight of Puck’s Glen. Here you will be immersed in the sound of running water as you walk upwards to the top of the gorge. Waterfalls gush down as you navigate the path and bridges across the river. Mosses, ferns, and wild flora encompass the surrounding rocks. Gargantuan trees loom down at you from above, and crystal clear pools invite you to take time to be still and just look. It truly is awe inspiring. Puck’s Glen is a few miles by car from Blairmore and is approximately a mile from Benmore Botanic Gardens.
If you would like some more energetic activity with your family, then Quadmania may be for you. 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.£68From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Benderloch, ScotlandEnjoying 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.£73From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Taynuilt, ScotlandDelightful ground floor cottage in the village of Taynuilt in beautiful Argyll. Close to superb walking and fishing. Open plan accommodation. Oban 11 miles.£74From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Taynuilt, ScotlandLovely first floor cottage in Taynuilt near Oban. Beautiful scenery and ideal for walking, fishing and exploring the islands. Oban 11 miles.£74From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Dunoon, ScotlandIvy Cottage is a charming one bedroom cottage located on a quiet residential road close to the town of Dunoon. Totally refurbished in 2020, this charming detached property is well appointed and decorated to a high standard and is fully insulated and double glazed.
The cottage is situated in the West Bay less than 400 yards to the beach and only 5-minutes’ walk in to the Kilbride Forest and Bishops Glen. The surrounding area offers a broad range of tourist attractions and activities throughout the year to suit all tastes. With the town centre within a 15-minute walk one can explore all that Dunoon has to offer on foot, from the Castle House Museum, a walk along the promenade with a visit to the Victorian Pier, or a stroll through the town to browse the many craft shops and galleries.
For the more active there are various cycling tracks, and walks through the Argyll Forest which includes Puck’s Glen and the Benmore Botanic Gardens, or enjoy sailing or charter boat trips on the Firth of Clyde. Nearby Fishing at Dunoon Reservoir is excellent, producing double figure Rainbow Trout.
At various times of the year there are popular events and music festivals that draw tourists from all over the world. One such event is the Cowal Gathering at the end of August which claims to be the largest and most spectacular Highland Games in the world. There is a leisure centre with pool and Golf at Cowal Golf Club and Innellan Golf Club. Dunoon is the Firth of Clyde’s most popular tourist resort and Ivy Cottage is well located to enjoy all that the town and surrounding area has to offer. Beach 400 yards. Shops 1 mile, pub and restaurant ¾ mile.£74From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Dunoon, ScotlandSituated 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.£75From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Clachan, ScotlandWith 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.£76From price per night based on 7 night stay