6 Summer Activities in Dunoon & Cowal
Recommended by local CiorsdanEnjoy beach walks, explore the waters, get active, hike to incredible views, turn back time, and experience a festival in Dunoon and Cowal this Summer. There’s so much to do, like taking a rib boat to visit shipwrecks, hiking the highest peak in Cowal, and watching the Cowal Highland Gathering, which hosts the world championship highland dancing competition. There’s something for everyone. Here are six suggestions for things to do over Summer in Dunoon and Cowal.
Enjoy Beach Walks
Ostel beach, also known as Kilbride bay, is a stunning coastal beach where Loch Fyne meets the Firth of Clyde on the South West of the Cowal peninsula, not far from Tighnabruaich. This crescent-shaped sweep of sand is known as the jewel in the crown of Argyll’s Secret Coast.
You will also find small beaches at the village of Ardentinny, not far from Dunoon, Jubilee Point, Loch Eck, and Sandy Beach in Innellan. Another coastal walk is along the promenade beside the Firth of Clyde on the East and West Bays of Dunoon.
Explore the Waters
If you’re looking for adventure on the water take a trip out with Wreckspeditions (based at Holy Loch Marina, near Dunoon) on their fun rib boat. You could visit the sugar boat wreck, search for wildlife, or take a trip up Loch Long.
The Waverley is also a great option. It is the last sea going paddle steamer boat in the world and runs trips from around the end of June until the end of August along the Firth of Clyde and surrounding waters across Cowal.
Get Active
If you’re staying in one of the holiday parks, such as Argyll Holidays Hunter’s Quay Holiday Village, there are lots of activities available on site, including laser tag, adventure golf, a swimming pool, archery, a climbing wall, and axe throwing. You can also hire bikes at the holiday village to explore the surrounding area. Quadmania, in the village of Blairmore on a farm not far from Dunoon, offers quad biking, archery, and clay pigeon shooting, and it has incredible views over Loch Long. Or if you or the kids are interested in learning to sail while in the area, why not visit Tighnabruaich Sailing School.
Hike to Incredible Views
Ben Mhor is the highest peak in Cowal (741 metres) with wonderful views of Loch Eck, the Clyde Estuary and north and west to the Highlands and islands. Buachailean Hill in Toward (known locally as “The Volcano”) is 346 metres high and approximately 3 miles, with views of the islands Bute and Arran. Kilbride Hill, at the back of Dunoon, is another shorter hill walk that boasts stunning views over the Firth of Clyde and the surrounding area.
Take in an event or festival
Cowal Highland Gathering is an annual event during the last weekend in August, hosting 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 range of activities that the public can participate in, such as axe throwing and lots of fun rides for the kids. As part of the gathering, there is also a Cowal Fringe Festival (run by Dunoon Presents), which hosts a sunset ceremony and 5 km road race on the Thursday night, and have some musical entertainment on Saturday.
Dunoon Presents also runs other summer events, such as the Doon the Watter Revival, a weekend of Ska, Northern Soul, and top-drawer Mod bands on the Dunoon coast, and the 10 km Coastal Road Race.
Turn Back Time
Visit Kilmodan Stones, a group of late medieval West Highland carved grave slabs exhibited in a burial aisle within Kilmodan Churchyard, Highland Mary, a monument dedicated to Mary Campbell, the lover of
Robert Burns, found near Castle Mound in Dunoon, and Toward Castle, the remaining ruins of 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 clan rivals the Campbells in 1646. It is free to visit all of these sites.
Explore Dunoon & Cowal
What are you looking for?Dunoon & Cowal in Pictures
Beautiful and diverse, from the towering mountains in the north to the mellow scenery and sea lochs of the south. Catch a boat trip from a variety of destinations in Cowal on one of the last sea-going paddle steamers in the world.
Find your place to stay from luxury hotels for a relaxing retreat to holiday parks and self catering options for adventure seekers, and everything in-between.
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