Visit Beautiful Ostel Bay on the Cowal Peninsula
Ostel Bay on the Cowal Peninsula is simply stunning. This crescent-shaped sweep of sand is the jewel in the crown of Argyll’s Secret Coast. Walk over the dunes and the beach stretches out ahead of you with Arran on the horizon.
View of Ostel Bay and surrounding hillside, Credit: Kevin McGarry
Things to See & Do at Ostel Bay
On a sunny day it’s the perfect place to send the day, paddling, sun-bathing and swimming. There’s plenty of room for a game of rounders or football when the tide’s out. It’s a good walk along the length of the beach, and there are plenty of opportunities for beach combing – look out for the lovely shells.
After a day at the beach, head to the Oystercatcher at Otter Ferry for a delicious lunch or dinner.
How to get to Ostel Bay
To get there, you walk down the track by Kilbride Farm. There's a small cafe/takeaway at the farm that offers home baking, home made pies, burgers, panini's, drinks and ice creams. The track passes through beautiful farm land and woodland. When you reach the gate, you’ll see a ‘to the beach’ sign. Turn right a follow the path which will take you across springy machair that’s full of flowers in the summer. It’s about a fifteen-minute walk in total.
Please be mindful that this is a working farm. Do not block the road or hinder farm traffic in any way.
Limited Parking & Public Toilets
Ostel Bay a huge beach, so even in the summer it never feels crowded. However parking is a bit of an issue. You can park in the layby by Kilbride Farm, but it does get quite full. There’s another area where you can park just up the hill past Kilbride Farm. Please don’t block the road. This has happened on sunny days during the holidays, with badly parked cars blocking traffic from passing. It’s absolutely critical that emergency vehicles should be able to pass. If a car is blocking the road, you should call 101 and let the police know and the vehicle will be removed.
Please also be prepared for a lack of public toilets.
Stop at the Hayshed Gallery in Tighnabruaich to enjoy a locally roasted coffee by Argyll Coffee Roasters
Better still cycle
It’s a glorious cycle to Ostel Bay. Follow the quiet coastal road that loops around the Ardlamont Peninsula. There are a few hills, but nothing too strenuous. Pick up your picnic provisions from the Kames Village Store then set off from the Kames Hotel towards Carry, stopping off at Carry Farm to check out The Hayshed Gallery.
On your way back you can get refreshment at Botanica at The Barn in Millhouse, before the final stretch back to Kames. Another option for a shorter cycle is to park your car at Millhouse or the Tank Slip at Kames and cycle from there.
Where to stay in Cowal?
There's plenty of choice when it comes to places to stay in Cowal. Carry Farm and Ruskin Lodges provide you with the perfect escape to nature whereas Loch Riddon Bothy, the Woodside Lodge on Loch Goil and Innellan Cottages are the perfect romantic getaway for couples. Travelling with the whole family? The Hollies, Baileyfield Self-Catering and Stratheck Holiday Park are fantastic options for those seeking a larger place for the whole family to stay. Prefer to stay at a hotel? Portavadie, the Kames Hotel and Douglas Park Guesthouse are fantastic options. Discover all places to stay in Cowal here.
