Pet Friendly Holidays Argyll and Bute

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.

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.

Ivy 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.

Seaview Cottage is a semi-detached property perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, on the outskirts of the village of Ellenabeich, on the Isle of Seil, 16 miles south of Oban. Not even the delightful drive from Oban, crossing onto the island via the world famous ’Bridge over the Atlantic’, prepares you for the stunning view from Seaview! The completely uninterrupted views over the Atlantic waters of the Firth of Lorne and the ever-changing seascapes are mesmerising and unforgettable. This delightful, cosy cottage with multi-fuel burner and enclosed rear garden makes the ideal rural island escape. 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. Situated close to the conservation village of Ellenabeich and a short ferry trip to the unique Easdale Island, you are surrounded by magnificent scenery and interesting local history at every turn.
Situated right on the shore, it’s a short walk from the garden to the slate beach with an amazing panorama of the wild west coast waters of the Firth of Lorne, where you can see Easdale island, Garvellach islands, Isle of Mull, passing boats and plentiful wildlife such as dolphins, seals, otters, basking sharks, and sea eagles. The cottage is just a 5-minute walk from Ellanabeich, a quiet traditional village with pretty white-washed old slate workers’ cottages. It has a small convenience store with post office, a bar and restaurant, slate mining museum, local boat trips and a village hall with regular events. A short passenger ferry trip takes you over to Easdale Island, world famous for its historic slate quarries with an excellent slate mining museum and the bar and restaurant.
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. The world-famous Tigh-an-Truish Hotel and bar (House of the Trousers) lies immediately over the bridge in the settlement of Clachan Seil. The central village of Balvicar, just 3 miles from Seaview has, a well-stocked village shop & post office and 9-hole golf course. 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. Beach 17½ miles. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

Bay Apartment is located on the second floor of an impressive red sandstone building, with the most fabulous elevated views over Rothesay Bay. A beautiful building, it has retained a host of original features, including a beautiful painted glass door and high ceilings. There are amazing views from all the main rooms where you can spend hours watching the ferries come in and out as well as different sized sail boats, yachts and fishing boats arriving and departing from the harbour.
Bay Apartment is centrally located in Rothesay, yet far away enough from the town for guests to savour the peacefulness that Bute has to offer. The spacious comfortable living room is tastefully furnished with a spectacular bay window boasting stunning views over Rothesay Bay and up Loch Striven. The front facing master bedroom is spacious with sea views and a king sized bed. The apartment is a great base for couples who are keen to explore everything the island has to offer. There’s easy access to Rothesay town centre and all its shops, bar, bistros and cafes, and to the Bute shoreline, directly below the apartment.
Rothesay is a charming little coastal town on the Isle of Bute and boasts many interesting shops and attractions. Rothesay is Bute’s main town, and there is an excellent tourist office in the Discovery Centre, which also houses an exhibition about the Isle of Bute. Rothesay is the perfect base for exploring the Isle of Bute and it is also the main ferry port and transport hub.
The best way to explore the island at your own pace is by car, however there is a reliable bus service which travels from Kilchattan Bay at the south of the island up to Rhubodach in the north. There are also buses which will take you to Ettrick Bay where you can enjoy lunch or coffee at the café. During the summer season the bus service also runs to Mount Stuart house. The summer season also brings a city sightseeing bus, which is a hop on - hop off service that tours around the island frequently.
Bute is only 33 miles from Glasgow and is one of the most accessible of the westerly islands from the Scottish Central Belt. Fifteen miles long and five miles across at its widest point, the island is home to many historical sites including Rothesay Castle and Mount Stuart House, with beautiful gardens and walks for all abilities. Beach 4 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 50 yards.

Fabulous, detached cottage with sea views situated in the town of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. Pet-friendly. Spacious interior. Port Bannatyne 2.7 miles.

This 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.

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.

Situated 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.