20 Attractions to Explore Near Royal Castle of Tarbert

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.

A majestic historical ruin located on the eastern shore of Loch Sween, in Knapdale. Castle Sween is thought to be one of the earliest stone castles built in Scotland, having been built in the late 11th century. The castle's towers were later additions to wooden structures which have since vanished. To its west is a small islet cleared to act as a boat landing, illustrating the vital importance of the sea as a major transport link.

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.

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

Rothesay Castle on the Isle of Bute was situated at a friction point between the westward expansion of the Kingdom of Scotland and territory owned by the King of Norway. The castle comprises a huge curtain wall, strengthened by four round towers, together with a 16th-century forework, the whole surrounded by a broad moat. Built by the Stewart family to defend against invading Norwegian fleets, Rothesay’s immense circular curtain wall makes it unique in Scotland.

A wonderful small museum in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. It has a lot of interesting exhibits, covering local wildlife, architecture and social history, documents etc. Bute Museum's collections are mainly concerned with recording and preserving the Island's past and showing examples of the wildlife which might be seen there today.

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.

A majestic country house which was located on the Isle of Bute, the most accessible island on the west coast of Scotland. This spectacular Gothic house was the ancestral home of the Marquess of Bute. This award-winning attraction featuring magnificent Victorian Gothic architecture and design together with contemporary craftsmanship, surrounded by 300 acres of gloriously maintained grounds and gardens.

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.

Loch Tanna is a water feature in Scotland and has an elevation of 1079 feet. Loch Tanna is east of Beinn Bharrain.

Saint Nectan's Glen is an area of woodland in Trethevy near Tintagel, north Cornwall stretching for around one mile along both banks of the Trevillet River. The glen's most prominent feature is St Nectan's Kieve, a spectacular sixty foot waterfall through a hole in the rocks. The site attracts tourists who believe it to be "one of the UK's most spiritual sites," and tie or place ribbons, crystals, photographs, small piles of flat stones and other materials near the waterfall.

Caisteal Abhail is a summit in the Arran region or range in Scotland. Caisteal Abhail is 859 metres high. All the walking routes up Caisteal Abhail on Mud and Routes can be found below. The top can be identified by the rock. Other Notes: The summit is crowned with a series of rocky tors, and in poor visibility it may be difficult to ascertain which one marks the highest point.

St Blane’s Chapel is a church in Argyll and Bute. St Blane’s Chapel is situated south of Kilchattan, close to Hogback Stone. This was the home of St Blane – ‘fair Blaan of Ceen Garad’ – who may have been buried here on his death. The churchyards contain a number of fascintaing weathered grave slabs. Look out for the enclosure wall.

Cìr Mhòr is a Corbett known as the Matterhorn of Arran. Its name means the "big comb", referring its resemblance to a cockscomb. It is separated from the island's highest peak, Goat Fell, by a col called The Saddle. Oneof the iconic location in this area and attracts a lot of adventure lovers.

Cowal is a peninsula in Argyll and Bute, in the west of Scotland, that extends into the Firth of Clyde. The northern part of the peninsula is covered by the Argyll Forest Park managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. It is not far from Glasgow and frequent ferry services by both CalMac and Western Ferries from Gourock serve Dunoon.

Beinn Tarsuinn is a mountain on the Isle of Arran, Scotland. It is the southernmost of the four Corbetts on the island, lying between Glen Rosa to the east and Glen Iorsa to the west. It is often climbed in conjunction with the neighbouring peak of Cìr Mhòr, to which it is linked by a rocky ridge forming the subsidiary top of A' Chìr. The simplest and shortest route up Beinn Tarsuinn is via one of the two ridges on either side of the Coire a' Bhradain; both ridges drop down into Glen Rosa, the u

Goat Fell is the highest point on the Isle of Arran. At 874 metres, it is one of four Corbetts on the island. The mountain, along with nearby Brodick Castle, is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Goat Fell is a very popular peak and there are many possible routes of ascent, some of which may be combined with visits to the summits of other nearby peaks.

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.