4 Day Family Break

Cowal is an exciting place to explore. One of the most magical mystical walks in the whole of Scotland is a place called Puck’s Glen (near Dunoon), with tumbling waterfalls and a rocky gorge. Another place to explore is Ardkinglas House (considered an architectural gem), on the shores of Loch Fyne. There is also a woodland garden, and they have a fun Gruffalo trail and a fairy trail for the kids. Benmore Gardens is also ideal for families. It is a magnificent 120-acre mountainside Garden surrounded by dramatic scenery and home to a world-famous collection of plants. It’s well worth taking a trip to Toward too, about 20 minutes drive from Dunoon. There you will find the ruins of Toward Castle, the former seat of Clan Lamont, one of the most powerful families in the history of west Scotland. It dates from the 15th century and Sir John Lamont entertained Mary Queen of Scots here in 1563. The castle was destroyed by their rivals the Campbells in 1646. It is free to visit the ruins. Nearby, you will also see the site of the 19th century built Castle Toward, a castellated mansion that is now in private ownership. While in Toward you should also take a trip to look at the lighthouse up close and walk up to the beautiful Chinese lakes, a series of stone lined ponds with islands, linked by finely detailed semi-circular bridges and free to visit. You should also take time to visit the shops in Dunoon on Argyll Street, where there are many interesting things for the whole family, including a wonderful independent bookshop (Bookpoint), a Christmas shop and other gift shops.

If you’re in the area during the last weekend in August, don’t miss out on visiting the incredible Cowal Highland Gathering. This yearly event hosts the highland dancing world championships, pipe band competitions, and heavy athletics (where you can see the traditional “tossing of the caber”). The games also have a whole range of activities that the public can take part in, like axe throwing and there are lots of fun rides for the kids to have a go on. As part of the gathering, there is also a Cowal Fringe Festival (organised by Dunoon Presents), which hosts a sunset ceremony, a town centre market, a 5km road race and some musical entertainment. Dunoon also hosts the Dunoon TradFest (also organised by Dunoon Presents), a great traditional music festival held in September, with small performances, including a family ceilidh, across a variety of venues in Dunoon. An interesting place to visit to soak up Cowal culture with the family is the Castle House Museum, where you can discover the history of Dunoon and Cowal from Neolithic settlers, through Highland clan battles, Victorian expansion, the Clyde Steamers in their heyday, to both World Wars and the Cold War.