Museums
Galleries
Visitor Attractions
Visitor Information - Cowal, Bute & Loch Lomond
History and Heritage
Castles
Activities
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Museums
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Visitor Attractions Visitor Information - Cowal, Bute & Loch LomondHistory and Heritage |
Castles
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Out and About: |
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To the north and west of the Firth of Clyde are Loch Lomond and the Cowal peninsula. Loch Lomond, of course, is deservedly world famous and has recently been designated as Scotland's first National Park. The West Highland Way is popular with walkers and starts near the southern end of the loch. It makes its way along the eastern shore before heading off towards its destination at Fort William. The Cowal Peninsula is a relatively quiet and secluded area with a mixture of hills, lochs and unspoilt bays. The main town is Dunoon. Just off the coast is the Isle of Bute which can be reached by ferry from Colintraive on the peninsula or, alternatively, from Wemyss Bay on the east side of the Firth of Clyde.
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Historic Buildings and Castles: |
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Dumbarton Castle
Sits on top of a rocky volcanic outcrop overlooking the Firth of Clyde. |
Rothesay, Isle of Bute. A royal fortress built in the 13th century. |
Stunning Gothic architecture; home to the Marquess of Bute and open May to October. |
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Museums and Galleries: |
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Inverbeg Galleries Inverbeg, Loch Lomond. |
Bute Museum Rothesay, Isle of Bute. Discover the history and geology of the island. |
Newton, near Strachur. Private tuition and workshops lasting from one to five days as required. |
The Castle House Museum, which has been open since 1998, is one of Dunoon’s most historic locations. |
Parks and Gardens: |
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Victorian Fern House & Gardens Ascog Bay, Isle of Bute. Extensive collection of ferns. |
Gleenarn Gardens Rhu, on the coast near Helensburgh. |
Linn Botanic Gardens Cove, on the Rosneath peninsula. |
Balloch Castle Country Park
Balloch, near Alexandria. |
Visitor Attractions: |
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Hill House Helensburgh. Fine example of design by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. |
Loch Lomond Now has the Lomond Shores & National Park Visitor Centre at Balloch. |
Winter Garden Rothesay, Isle of Bute. Huge circular glass structure which houses the Isle of Bute Discovery Centre. |
When it was built, this amazing Grade A listed building was the largest motor car factory in the world. Its marble and sandstone façade, reminiscent of an Edwardian town hall or railway station, is just part of a factory that originally covered 11 acres. After a six-million-pound restoration, the building now houses the Motoring Heritage Centre and 24 factory-outlet shops. |
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Museum and craft shop in Strachur, Argyll. |
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Tours: |
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Walking About Argyll Walking Holidays. Strachur, Argyll. Small expertly guided groups. Argyll, Mull, Islay, Jura. Also tailor-made itineraries. |
Sailing
Tignabruaich Sailing School. RYA accredited, qualified instructors. Sailing and windsurfing courses. |
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Car Hire: |
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Helensburgh. |
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