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Argyll and Bute

Oban, Argyll and Bute

Argyll and Bute covers the second largest administrative area of any Scottish council. Including islands, there are over 3,000 miles (4,800 km) of coastline, and this is claimed to be more than for the whole of France. Centuries of inhabitation have left Argyll and Bute with some of the richest history and heritage in the world today. From facinating and mysterious pre-historic sites to battle scarred castles and abandoned settlements.

Explore the city of Stirling. Visit the Old Town and historic castle, overlooking the site of 'Braveheart' Sir William Wallace's greatest victory. Take in the majestic Ochil Hills and rich heritage of Clackmannanshire, Scotland's Tower Trail County - and don't miss the modern engineering .

There are many outstanding plants to be discovered including species rhododendrons, magnolias and fine specimens of conifer, some of which are the largest trees in Britain.

Argyll & Bute in the Highlands of Scotland is the perfect destination for a self catering holiday this year. After the heat wave in July Argyll & Bute in August is still likley to see visitor attractions at their peak. Special events, restaurants and villages are all busy with summer tourists. The idyllic holiday destination in Scotland.

Argyll & Bute on the west coast of Scotland also has some great scenery and a fantastic range of self catering holiday cottages. Argyll & Bute also has some wonderful mountains, fantastic seascapes and a glorious coastline, not to mention idyllic islands.

Breathe in the delights of Oban's picturesque bay before setting sail on a Hebridean journey to the Isle of Mull with its colourful capital, Tobermory.

For nature lovers, a romantic stroll in the Trossachs - the stunning homelands of the notorious Rob Roy MacGregor - ought not to be missed. Explore the settings of some of Scotland's most stirring tales, both fictional and historical.

Visit magical Hebridean islands including the whisky Isle of Islay. Be intoxicated by the glorious sunsets on the western shores of Kintyre, birthplace of the Scottish nation.

The main ferry operator in Argyll & Bute is Caledonian MacBrayne, including services from the mainland to Bute, Gigha, Islay, Mull and Tiree.

Dunoon based operator Western Ferries ply the busy Dunoon to Gourock route in direct competition with Caledonian MacBrayne.

Discover why the beauty of Loch Lomond is worthy of every word written in its praise. In towns like Helensburgh and Dumbarton, there are many more rich veins of heritage combined with a host of modern amenities.

Fall under the spell of the Isle of Bute, enjoy moments of tranquillity on the Cowal Peninsula, savour the bustling pleasures of Rothesay and Dunoon, two of Scotland's most popular coastal resorts.

Argyll and Bute Council directly operates its own ferries on the following routes:

  • Seil - Luing
  • Seil - Easdale
  • Port Appin - Lismore

Isle of Bute, Argyll and Bute

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    The tower is known as "The Crown of Oban". It is built on Battery Hill, which, as the name suggest was previously the site of gun emplacements.

    The construct is 190 feet in diameter.

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    Iona is thought to be the first Christian site in Scotland. As such, this tiny island (1 mile wide, 3.5 miles long), now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, is very popular with pilgrims and the thousands of tourists who come to visit the Abbey in the summer months.

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