20 Attractions to Explore Near Castle Sween

A wonderful waterway to explore by canoe or kayak, surrounded by the stunning scenery of Argyll & Bute. The nine-mile-long canal links Ardrishaig at the Firth of Clyde with the picturesque village of Crinan and the spectacular scenery of Scotland’s west coast. The Crinan also offers the chance to see some incredible wildlife. Visitors can catch a glimpse of deer and rare red squirrels in the surrounding pine forests.

Tarbert Castle is a ruined 13th-century royal castle of enclosure, which was extended in the 14th century, by the addition of an outer bailey with towers. The castle overlooks the harbour and although pre 14th century in construction, the tower dates back to 1494 and the visit of James IV to the Western Highlands. There are only a couple of standing walls left. The castle has a very commanding view of the water approaches.

Dunadd is a hillfort in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, dating from the Iron Age and early medieval period and is believed to be the capital of the ancient kingdom of Dál Riata. Dal Riata was a kingdom, that appeared in Argyll in the early centuries AD, after the Romans had abandoned Scotland.

Jura distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery on the island of Jura in the Inner Hebrides off the West Coast of Scotland. The distillery is owned by Glasgow founded and based Whyte and Mackay, which in turn is owned by Philippines-based Emperador Inc. The distillery was founded by the Laird of Jura, Archibald Campbell in 1810.

The Paps of Jura are three mountains on the western side of the island of Jura. They are steep-sided quartzite hills with distinctive conical shapes resembling breasts. The word pap is an ancient word of Old Norse origin for the breast. One of the simplest routes of ascent starts from Craighouse. The route of the annual Isle of Jura Fell Race includes all three Paps and four other hills.

Kilmartin House Museum ids a museum which paves light to the ancient history of this area and also it is worth visiting to gain a better understanding of the many archaeological sites and stone circles in the Kilmartin Glen. The museum has been designed as a family friendly experience with lots of the exhibits being displayed in a manner that encourages children to touch and explore.

Carnasserie Castle is a late 16th-century tower house guarding the northern approach to Kilmartin Glen. Built in the style of a tower house, it was given a distinctly medieval look but this is deceptive; comfort was the overriding priority in the design and construction of the castle. The castle is an accomplished piece of architecture, laid out as a single building integrating both a five-storey tower house and a hall range.

Skipness Castle stands on the east side of the Kintyre peninsula in Scotland, near the village of Skipness. Together with the nearby Kilbrannan Chapel it is a scheduled ancient monument. It is impressive as it has managed to survive for more than seven centuries in a surprisingly intact state. The original structure was a basic two-storey Hall House surrounded by a small curtain wall.

Lunga is one of the Slate Islands in the Firth of Lorn in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The surrounding seas are fished for prawns and scallops and there is a salmon farm off the south eastern shores. The Special Area of Conservation of which the island is part hosts a growing number of outdoor leisure pursuits.

Caol Ila is the largest of the eight working distilleries on the island of Islay. In 1986, the distillery became part of the United Distillers conglomerate, leading to the first “semi-official” bottling range in 1989, Flora & Fauna.

A beatuiful botanical garden set on the Scottish Island of Gigha with its white sandy beaches and breathtaking scenery. This 54-acre Gardens hosts many notable and unusual plants and trees from around the world and It specialises in tender rhododendrons. The gardens include specimens of southern rātā from New Zealand, Montezuma pine from Central America, Puya alpestris from the Andes, and Wollemia nobilis from Australia.

Arduaine Garden is a place of peace on a wild shore, which has a twenty acre coastal garden situated on the southern slope of a promontory beside the Sound of Jura. Arduaine is well-known in rhododendron circles for its wonderful collection of species and hybrids. The garden nurtures plants from across the globe – from East Asia to South America.

The Slate Islands are an island group in the Inner Hebrides, lying immediately off the west coast of Scotland, north of Jura and southwest of Oban. The main islands are Seil, Easdale, Luing, Shuna, Torsa and Belnahua. Scarba and Kerrera, which lie nearby, are not usually included. The islands from which the slate that gives rise to the name was quarried on a substantial commercial basis are Easdale, Belnahua, Luing and Seil.

Finlaggan is a historic site on Eilean Mòr in Loch Finlaggan. The Loch, the island, and Finlaggan Castle lie around two kilometres to the northwest of Ballygrant on Islay. The Finlaggan Trust maintains the site and also refurbished a derelict cottage that has been converted into a comprehensive museum. The centre contains numerous artefacts discovered during archaeological excavations: from a sheep wool quilted aketon, worn under armour, to an ancient cross related to the lords.

Lochranza Castle is one of three fortifications on the Isle of Arran and is located on the north end of the island upon a gravel spit jutting out into Loch Ranza. The castle originally took the form of a two storey hall house and would have been similar in style to contemporary MacSween strongholds at Skipness and Sween. The entrance was originally on the first floor providing direct access into the Great Hall and the Lordly accommodation. The ground floor consisted of storage.

Lochranza Golf Course is a 9 hole pay-and-play course. It lies across the road from the Isle of Arran Distillery amid the mountain and loch scenery of Arran's Northend, and adjacent to Lochranza Campsite. A mainly flat parkland course with unusual water hazards, it is famous for the wild red deer that graze it. Lochranza lies in a north-west facing glen and enjoys long summer sunsets through May, June and July.

Oronsay is asmall tidal island south of Colonsay in the Scottish Inner Hebrides with an area of 543 hectares. The island has no facilities for visitors and is now privately owned. There is a small grass air strip south of the priory that "fights a losing battle with the rabbits. A beautiful natural location which was blessed with antureal beauty and also there are so many other things to see.

The award winning Lochranza Distillery is one of two distilleries that you can visit during your trip to the Isle of Arran. Their sister distillery at Lagg is also open for visitors to tour and taste some of the delicious whisky that the island produces. As one of the few independent distilleries in Scotland - and one that proudly follows traditional practice - the team in Lochranza promises a particularly fascinating experience

Easdale is a small island in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. it covers an area of less than 10 hectares but has a permanent population of about 60, plus a similar number who own residential property and visit regularly. The tiny car-free island of Easdale has much to offer the short or long term visitor.