Dog Friendly Holidays Argyll and Bute

Completely renovated in 2021, this beautiful detached, single-storey holiday cottage enjoys an idyllic location, with Loch Etive to the front and the River Awe directly behind. Extremely well furnished and equipped the property has direct access onto the beach. It boasts stunning views across the sea loch to the mountains beyond from some of the rooms, and lovely views over the garden from the others. There is a well-equipped kitchen and a dining area seating eight guests. The house enjoys significant privacy with its only neighbours being seals, otters and yachts. Point Park is one of the very few properties to truly have a sea frontage, located just 5 metres from Loch Etive’s shore with direct beach access. In all rooms the bed can be made into double beds in all bedrooms if required.
The lovely little town of Taynuilt has a friendly community and offers a village grocery store, a post office, butchers, tea room, hairdressers, doctor’s surgery and a restaurant serving good food. There is also a train station, the line through Taynuilt runs from Glasgow to Oban so you can have a day in the city or head to the islands. Taynuilt’s golf course is just a few minutes’ walk from the cottage and offers 9 holes.
The bustling Victorian town of Oban known as the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’ is just 20 minutes away by carand offers shops, bars, seafood restaurants, a cinema and leisure centre. Whisky lovers can visit the Oban Distillery to learn how it’s all made. Regular boat trips leave the busy harbour bound for the Inner Hebridean Islands, including Mull, Iona and the Treshnish Isles with their comical puffins.
Enjoy leisurely forest walks, horseriding, fishing, sailing, diving and golf, or for the more adventurous, Glen Nevis, one of the Highland’s most famous glens and the location of scenes from Harry Potter and Braveheart, is only a short drive and offers stunning scenery and bracing walks. Explore famous castles, historical sites and mature gardens. Visit Bonawe Iron Works, Cruachan Hollow Mountain or the Inveraray Jail. The abundant wildlife includes porpoises, dolphins, basking sharks, otters, deer and a wealth of seabirds. Glencoe and Fort William are easily accessible by car and offer popular climbing, skiing and mountain biking. All in all this is an ideal base for enjoying the pleasures of the great outdoors or just savouring the spectacular scenery of the Western Highlands. Shop and pub 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.

Rosmuire is a fully detached, secluded and spacious four bedroom house located on a quiet farm road with its own grounds, including garden, woods and fields of over 3 acres. This house lies a mile from the Loch Lomond National Park, and from a beautiful hillside position it enjoys sea views over the Gare Loch and the rugged hills of the Argyll Forest Park to the west. Rosmuire provides an excellent base to explore the natural beauty of the west of Scotland, as well as easy access by train or car to Glasgow, Stirling or Edinburgh.
The cottage is bright, spacious and warm, and is furnished with distinctive charm as a home from home, with stunning views over the loch and hills. Its tranquil surroundings include a large landscaped garden with a large south-facing area of decking directly off the kitchen; enjoy eating alfresco or relaxing outside, perfect for watching the sun set on the hills behind the loch. There is a fully enclosed garden area and grounds of 3 acres with streams, fields, and woodland, which is perfect for children and dogs to explore. Pets are especially welcome without charge and there are excellent dog-friendly walks straight from the cottage door. There is also a garage/games room with table football and a badminton court with racquets provided; the driveway has parking for six cars.
The area offers a wide range of areas of interest and activities for all ages. The seaside town of Helensburgh is a short 10-minute drive away with restaurants, gift shops, supermarkets, a swimming pool, and a small boutique cinema. There are various boat trips available including the Waverly vintage paddle steamer from Helensburgh pier as well as boat or seaplane trips from nearby Loch Lomond.
There are excellent outdoor activities including walking, cycling, fishing, horse riding and pony trekking, and water sports nearby. Walk a stretch of the famous West Highland Way or cycle through the dramatic scenery of nearby Glen Fruin, the site of a clan battle in 1603, or explore some of Scotland’s most picturesque areas. There are numerous hill and mountain walks, with about 20 hills above 3000ft, as well as winter skiing and mountain biking at the Glencoe Mountain Resort all within an hour’s drive.
The cottage has good access to a wide range of places of interest, with direct train or car to Glasgow and Edinburgh, which offer theatres, restaurants, festivals and shopping. There is also easy access to many golf courses including the Loch Lomond championship course. The Loch Lomond Shores centre offers shopping, restaurants and cafés, and loch cruises and a sea life aquarium and are about 15 minutes away. There are various nearby distilleries which offer tours, including the famous Glengoyne Distillery. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

Tucked away in a small corner of Argyll’s Secret Coast, one of the most enchanting parts of the west of Scotland, is Tigh-na-Creige - the ‘house on the crag.’ This recently renovated property in 2019 is the perfect way to live the dream of a secret cottage by the sea.

Warm, welcoming and contemporary, the cottage commands breathtaking views of the sea on Loch Riddon just north of the celebrated Kyles of Bute. Nestling within the mountains of the Cowal Peninsula and 5 acres of landscaped grounds, this is a captivating waterfront location with its own sheltered beach and private grass slipway.

Built on one level, the owner has remodelled the space so the kitchen flows seamlessly into the dining area, creating a wonderfully hospitable place. It offers roomy open-plan living, perfect for enjoying a good book or a favourite film in front of the cosy log-burning fire. Tigh-na-Creige’s kitchen is very comprehensively equipped and upgraded in 2021, with superb kitchenware and an inspirational chef’s library. Enthusiastic cooks will also be impressed by very high quality local produce which includes meat from the Isle of Bute and real ale, as well as seafood from Loch Fyne. The oak laminate floor, oak doors and pale walls create a relaxing contemporary feel, blended with the warmth of a traditional cosiness. There is atmospheric lighting, while numerous pieces from the owner’s private art collection add colour, individuality and quirkiness.

Guests enjoy uninterrupted views of the sea and the spectacular scenery of the cottage’s gardens and woodland. Loch Riddon is a designated National Scenic Area with a famous viewing platform on the opposite shore. The area has featured in many Visit Scotland commercials because of its beauty. Which is why the outside is now an extension of the interior space, so guests feel part of the spectacular seaside environment. Just beside the kitchen there is a stylish sun trap deck area with its own dry-stone walling and terraced gardens providing a secluded spot for dining, with a log-burning chiminea for the cooler evenings.

The front balcony provides the ideal spot to watch the sun go down over the glen whilst enjoying a glass of whisky. You may see some of the wildlife that Scotland is also famous for, including nesting ospreys, golden and sea eagles, red deer and red squirrels. The seas are home to otters, seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, sharks and even whales. Binoculars are thoughtfully provided.

Set on the shoreline, this cottage has access to a mooring (by arrangement), and is perfect for joggers, walkers and cyclists wanting to take in the views. The sea welcomes kayakers, sailors and fishermen, while stalking and coarse angling are available locally.

Immediate local history covers a Viking battle in the glen, the destruction of the neighbouring castle in the Argyll Rising and training grounds for World War II’s Dambusters and mini submarines!

Argyll’s Secret Coast boasts isolated beaches, pretty villages, delightful fishing ports and some great local dining in pubs or the celebrated Botanica or Inver restaurants. Popular tourist attractions include the spectacular Portavadie Marina, Mount Stuart, Inverary Castle, the towering trees of Ardkinglass, Benmore Botanical Gardens and seasonal visits to Rothesay and Tighnabruaich from the world’s only ocean-going paddle steamer, ‘The Waverley’. The Isles of Bute, Arran, Jura and Islay are all easily reached by ferry.

Guests will find tranquillity, wildlife, stunning scenery, historic locations and a real home from home here in this gem of a secret cottage. Shop, pub/restaurant 2½ miles.

This charming Category B-listed holiday cottage is situated only yards from Loch Long and boasts stunning views over the open water. Nestled in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Raglan Cottage is the perfect escape for guests wishing to relish the peace. Sited next to the Argyll Forest, which offers numerous forest tracks, marked walks and cycleways, all easily accessible and right on your doorstep, this terraced holiday cottage is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore this delectable location. The cottage has the additional benefit of a large front deck overlooking the water’s shore only 3m away from the end of the garden. Guests can, fish for their tea (rods in the cottage) launch a kayak or just rest on the pebble beach and watch for our resident porpoises and seals playing in the Loch. Or you could take a walk along to the local Ardentinny pub and bistro for a warm welcome, and on a fine day grab a table on their beautiful Lochside deck - booking advised for food.
Ardentinny’s sandy beach where the Cowal hills and forest tumble down to the shore is a short stroll from the cottage’s front door and opens into some spectacular trails.
Nearby, the magnificent woodland gardens at Benmore Botanic Gardens are well worth a visit and the incredible Pucks Glen is a must-see for those who love a mystical landscape of gorges and waterfalls. Whilst the town of Dunoon is within easy reach (there is a bus directly from Ardentinny) and has a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants when in Dunoon check out the Queens Hall and Burgh Hall for excellent music gigs and entertainment and also try Dunoon’s little cinema for a night at the movies Take a Wreckspeditions or Waverley paddle steamer cruise and explore Loch Long and Kyles of Bute.
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 Outstanding Natural Beauty within Scotland’s first National Park, 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. Many 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 in wildlife, including deer, buzzards, otters, golden eagles, red squirrels and even, if you’re very lucky dolphins and porpoises, this beautiful location offers much for the nature lover. 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 new marina and the ferry over to Tarbert to explore the Kintyre Peninsula with ferries to the Islands of Islay, Jura and Arran. Shop and restaurant 4 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.

Midcraigs is in a wonderful location just off the A83, 3 miles from Campbeltown, a pretty harbour town at the very southern end of the Kintyre Peninsula. Recently renovated in 2019 to a very good standard with a galleried living room with wooden floor and wood burner, there are many thoughtful touches which would make this an ideal family holiday base. There’s a separate cinema area on the gallery with a 55" TV, Playstation, table football, games and sports equipment to borrow. Flexible sleeping arrangements include a double bedroom on the ground floor, a charming bedroom on the first floor with three single beds, and a sofa bed on the gallery.
There are stunning beaches to explore close by, and with loads of outdoor sports and three golf courses, you’ll always have plenty to do! This warm and charming cottage makes a fantastic base for couples, friends or families to relax and enjoy beautiful Kintyre and the Southern Hebrides. The town centre, with its variety of pubs, restaurants, shops and museums, is just a 5-minute drive away. The property is very quiet and private, and is in an elevated location with a south westerly facing aspect. It has a contemporary décor with a family focus and is pet friendly, with an enclosed garden, outdoor hose and pet welcome pack, along with private parking.
Midcraigs is located close to the peaceful, little coastal town of Campbeltown on the beautiful Kintyre Peninsula. Enjoying a better than average climate, due to the warming Gulf Stream, as the palm trees on the sea front demonstrate, it is an ideal base for exploring the many attractions of the southern Kintyre peninsula and the Southern Hebrides. Davaar Island in the bay can be visited to discover the world-famous cave painting. It also has several fine period buildings, including the oldest purpose-built retro cinema. Campbeltown is home to three whisky distilleries, Springbank, Glen Scotia and Kilkerran, which produce world renowned malt whiskies and offer distillery tours. Beach 2 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

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.

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.

This spacious house is set in a delightful position in the coastal town of Rothesay, on the beautiful Isle of Bute. One of the most accessible Scottish islands, the Isle of Bute is just a short ferry ride across the Firth of Clyde. Here you will find the Victoriana meets art deco-style resort of Rothesay with its palm trees and promenade. Bute has some extraordinarily varied landscapes considering it is only 15 miles long and 4 miles wide.
Set over three floors with a main house and annex, Argyle House is a wonderful base for families and friends to come together for a special occasion or family catch-up. The well-equipped kitchen is perfect for rustling up a holiday feast to enjoy together in the impressive dining room, means there is plenty of space to spread out and relax after a busy day.

When you’re ready to explore, the captivating town of Rothesay offers plenty of amenities from independent shops to pubs, bars and restaurants, not to mention the impressive castle ruins and Mount Stuart House. To the north of Rothesay, through the small community of Porth Bannatyne, lies Ettrick Bay, Bute’s most accessible beach, which is a haven for able swimmers· Bute is perfect for cycling, and the circuit of the island on the quiet roads is about 21 miles with none of the hills being too taxing· There are plenty of lovely beaches for a seaside stroll, and there is sea fishing off the piers if you want to try for mackerel and inland there are lochs to catch rainbow trout and pike· The Firth of Clyde is a sailing paradise, and golf enthusiasts are well catered for on the Isle of Bute· This quaint island even has its own gin distillery, definitely worth a visit! Exploring the rest of Scotland could not be easier; simply catch a ferry across to Glasgow and make the most of the fabulous attractions and amenities on offer. Beach 50 yards.