Dog Friendly Lodges Argyll and Bute

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.

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.

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.

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 frpm 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.

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.

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.

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.

Situated 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.

In an elevated position with panoramic views across Loch Fyne, this detached holiday home is ideal for those wishing to explore the west coast of Argyll. The idyllic village of Tarbert has a bustling harbour where you can sit and watch the boats coming and going, enjoy the cafés and bars and visit the local art galleries. Tarbert hosts several popular seafood and music festivals throughout the year and is home to the Scottish Series Yacht Race. From the harbour you can catch one of the regular ferry crossings to Portavadie and explore the Cowal Peninsula. The beautiful islands of Arran, Islay, Gigha and Jura are also easily accessible from nearby ferry ports. Head south for the Mull of Kintyre with white sandy beaches and magnificent golf courses, or north to Kilmichael Glen steeped in history and archeological sites. Campbeltown Distillery, and Inveraray Jail and Castle also make for great days out. There is an abundance of wildlife and a variety of outdoor activities including sailing, sea fishing, cycling, walking and windsurfing. For the less adventurous, the garden at Devania Croft is the perfect place to sit and unwind, whilst taking in the stunning views. Beach 3 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.