Dog Friendly Holidays Argyll and Bute

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.

Overlooking the Crinan Canal, described as the ’most beautiful shortcut in Britain’, Printmakers Cottage has been converted from an old barn, attached to Braeface House at the Bellanoch Basin section of the canal. A Grade II listed stone building, it is believed to have been built to house the engineers involved in the construction of the canal which began in 1794. The cottage boasts amazing views over the canal to the estuary of the River Add, which is a protected area, and further to Loch Crinan and Duntrune Castle and gardens.

This lovely property has all the modern facilities you need, and also provides great accommodation for those who may have limited mobility. There is a double bedroom with fantastic views and a wet room on the ground floor. The main living area is double height with a gallery to the study area and exposed beams. The upper floor contains a double bedroom and a bunk bedroom, plus a further bathroom as well as a chill out /study area. The cottage has been sympathetically furnished by the owner, who is an artist, and her daughter, who both have a history in interior design and furniture restoration. Shop 5 miles, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

With 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.

Rhunahaorine Cottage, built around 1880, has been thoughtfully and lovingly restored by the owners and provides a luxurious, well-equipped, stylish, holiday home with space for guests to relax and enjoy their surroundings. The cottage is surrounded by an abundance of natural wildlife, the clean environment and clear waters are home to all sorts of interesting wildlife. Guests can relax on the sitting area by the wildlife pond and watch the wildlife come and go. The Machrihanish Seabird/Wildlife Observatory is located nearby at Gauldrons Beach and is fantastic for watching migratory birds.
Campbeltown is one of a handful of areas in Scotland categorised as a whisky producing region, and is home to the Campbeltown Single Malt, at one point having 34 distilleries and proclaiming itself the whisky capital of the world. The town boasts two distilleries, museum, heritage centre, harbour, cinema, leisure centre and an annual regatta and music festival.
The town is well-served with supermarkets, independently owned shops, and excellent hotels and restaurants offering the finest local produce.
The lovely village of Tarbert with its harbour, marina and ancient castle is another opportunity to explore.
The Kintyre area is well-known for its fine, white sandy beaches including Westport surfing beach, Macrihanish, Point Sands, A’Cleit, Peninver and Carradale beaches as well as the stunning beach of Dunaverty at Southend.
Unspoilt countryside abounds and whether cycling or walking there are scenic views on East and West coasts of the peninsula.
Lying just off the west coast of Kintyre, the Isle of Gigha offers a pleasant day trip. There is easy access to the Isles of Islay, Arran and Jura. Jura is one of the wildest and most mountainous of the Inner Hebrides. Islay is great for wildlife enthusiasts as it boasts a large RSPB reserve, a wintering population of barnacle and white-fronted geese, and a wildlife information centre.
For the outdoor enthusiast, there are three golf courses, walking along the Kintyre Way, cycling, fishing and water sports. Beach 1 mile. Shop 5 miles, pub and restaurant 4 miles.

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.

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.

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.

In a wonderful, secluded location, high above Carradale Harbour with stunning views to the Isle of Arran, Shorehills is a luxury modern holiday home, ideal for beach lovers and countryside enthusiasts, made cosy with oil-fired underfloor heating and a wood burner.
Enjoy your days watching the boats in the harbour, spotting wildlife in the bay below, and listening to the waves lap on the shore from the wrap-around decking. Relax in the living room with its wood burner, and watch the world go by through the large floor-to-ceiling windows with patio doors leading to the decking. The well-equipped kitchen and dining area is an ideal social space with patio doors opening onto the decking and views over the bay to Arran beyond. Perfect for socialising indoors, there’s a TV room with a 40” Smart TV and games room with a bar, pool table and darts. There’s a convenient twin bedroom downstairs with an adjacent walk-in shower room. Upstairs is a delightful, master en-suite double bedroom with uninterrupted views towards Arran. Two more spacious twin bedrooms are served by a luxurious family bathroom with a walk-in shower and free-standing bath.
Carradale is a small fishing village on the east of the Kintyre Peninsula, about 25 miles south of Tarbert. Offering peace and tranquillity, there is a well-stocked community shop and Post Office, tearoom and bar/restaurant, and a 9-hole golf course. Beautiful Carradale Bay is a long stretch of sandy beach, and there is plenty of walking in the woods and along the beaches. Locally, visit the old vitrified fort at Carradale Point, the nature reserve, or the gin distillery with a café. Salmon and trout can be fished on the Carradale River during the summer. Campbeltown is just 15 scenic miles distant, with shops, bars, cafés, a cinema, and three whisky distilleries.
There are ferries to Arran, Gigha, Islay, Jura and the Cowal Peninsula all within a short drive. There’s fantastic golfing at Machrihanish and another two local golf courses. Outdoor enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice with great opportunities for wind and kite surfing, sea angling, scuba diving, cycling, and horseriding, all available locally.

This stunning, Victorian Manor House is located only 200 yards from the Firth of Clyde in the village of Cardross. There is plenty to explore in the area, and a good place to walk is 2 miles away at Ardmore Point with unique rock formations, sea cliffs, fishing and is a notable bird watching area. Also worth a visit is Dumbarton Castle and Rock, 5 miles away. Dumbarton Castle has a longer recorded history than any other castle in Britain!

Cardross is a conservation village and has its own golf course, established 120 years ago, as well as a bowling, tennis and football club, post office, newsagent and pharmacy, and a village pub who cater for meals etc. Cardross train station is a 5-minute walk along a shore tarmac path, with a frequent service to Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the Highlands.

Local attractions include Ardardan Estate Working Farm with a nursery and tearoom, and nearby Geilston Garden. Looked after by the National Trust for Scotland, Geilston is a delightful garden and is typical of the small country estates on the banks of the Clyde, purchased by merchants and industrialists in the 18th and 19th centuries. Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is very close - it’s just 6 miles to Balloch on the south shore of the loch. This beautiful area has so much to offer with open spaces, sheltered bays and islands to explore. Its inland waters are famous as one of the finest water sports venues in Scotland. The area is ideal for walkers and cyclists of all abilities and boasts a magnificent diversity of scenery with dramatic peaks, waterfalls, hidden caves, and mysterious, forest-covered slopes. Ayrshire and Burns country lie to the south, and the Western Highlands are to the north. Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Stirling are all easily reached for a day out.

Dunmore Villa provides flexibility of space, suitable for extended families or large groups of friends, sleeping up to 13 guests, all in bedrooms with amazing sea views. The architecturally designed building compliments the stunning natural surroundings with internal furnishings and stone fireplace having been inspired by the beauty and colours of the Argyll countryside. The Villa has been extensively upgraded with eco features including solar panels, a wood burner, insulation and wood cladding. New bathrooms have been fitted throughout the house, and a glass-fronted dining room with terrace has been added giving magnificent views of the West Loch. There is a boat ramp and jetty for those who wish to bring their own boats, or for fishing and water activities.

Set in an area of Argyll known for its spectacular coastlines, Dunmore Villa is situated on the North side of West Loch Tarbert, seven miles from the village of Tarbert, Loch Fyne on the extensive Dunmore Estate which has 900 acres of land and over two miles of coastline; much of the land is protected by Scottish Natural Heritage.

With beautiful coastlines and grand scenery within walking distance, there is plenty to do during your stay at Dunmore Villa, from stunning nature walks to a more relaxed day at a local coastal spa boasting a heated outdoor infinity pool, just a 20-minute ferry away. Just a 7-mile scenic drive along the coast is the bustling fishing village of Tarbert. From craft shops and galleries, to souvenir shops, there are plenty of places to browse. Tarbert also has a several dog-friendly pubs, restaurants and cafés to enjoy a meal. or grab yourself some local fish and chips and enjoy eating on one of the many picnic benches surrounding the Tarbert Harbour.

The area around Kilberry has lots of forest and coastal walks and is close to many beautiful beaches with stunning views over the Atlantic. The relatively flat landscape and easy access affords many opportunities to enjoy coastal walking and exploring. The area is packed with history and some sights not to be missed include Tarbert Castle, Skipness Castle and Saddell Castle & Abbey. With ferries to Arran, Gigha, Islay, Jura and the Cowal peninsula all within a short drive, there is plenty to explore. Kintyre has miles of unspoilt coastline with fantastic white sandy beaches and rolling countryside.
Dunmore Villa can be booked together with Anchor Cottage (UK36497) to accommodate up to 16 guests.