Dog Friendly Holidays Argyll and Bute

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.

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.

Delightful ground floor apartment in in west Highland village of Arrochar. Superb loch and mountain views. Large garden. BBQ. Ideal for walking, cycling or touring. Helensburgh 15 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 from the open plan living space. 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, it’s 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.