Argyll and Bute Council - 88 Attractions You Must Visit
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About Argyll and Bute Council
Argyll and Bute is one of 32 unitary authority council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area. It has miles of coastline with truly stunning views and is known as Scotland’s Adventure Coast with all its experiences available for the visitor. The islands are a great attraction for visitors each with something different to offer, sandy beaches, stunning scenery, remoteness, wildlife, seabirds and island hospitality.
Types of Attractions in Argyll and Bute Council
Activities Around
List of Attractions in Argyll and Bute Council
Geilston Garden
Botanical Gardens
Geilston Garden is a property of the National Trust for Scotland, north-west of Cardross, Argyll and Bute. It has many attractive features including the walled garden with herbaceous border providing summer colour, tranquil woodland walks and a large working kitchen garden. The garden is open from April to October daily.
Gometra
Islands
Gometra is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, lying west of Mull. The island has been owned since 1992 by Roc Sandford, a wealthy environmental campaigner who lives mostly in London and part of the year on Gometra. The island is agricultural, formerly growing grain for the Iona Abbey. It has no ferry. One of the few services it does have is a weekly postal service.
Gylen Castle
Iconic Buildings
Old Ruins
A ruined castle which was built to dominate the Sound of Kerrera which was once part of a major maritime route for vessels sailing between the mainland and the Inner Hebrides. The castle consisted of a four storey 'L' plan Tower House that was built in the Scots Baronial style. The ground floor consisted of a vaulted store and an access passageway that led to a small courtyard occupying the area to the edge of the cliff as well as the adjoined Stair Tower.
Inchconnachan
Islands
Inchconnachan is an island in Loch Lomond in Scotland, in the Trossachs National Park. It is accessible by boat from the village of Luss on the south side of the Loch. The island has a shoreline extending to 3,854 metres and rises up to 50 metres at its highest point. Inchconnachan is made up of a number of secluded bays and has a narrow strait between itself and neighbouring Inchtavannach Island, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful spots on the Loch.
Inveraray Castle
Iconic Buildings
Old Ruins
The majestic ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell, and the iconic, must-see visitor attraction on the West Coast of Scotland. The self-guided tour takes you through 13 rooms on 3 different levels so you get to see the luxurious rooms that would have been visited by guests of the Duke as well as the Kitchen and basement area where servants would have worked. It was one of the iconic attractions in this area and attracts a lot of tourists.
Inveraray Jail
Iconic Buildings
Old Ruins
Inveraray Jail is a living museum where real people portray life in a 19th century prison. The two-storied prison has three-foot-thick walls of rough hewn red stone and originally contained cells on both floors, eight in total. Step back in time and experience the true stories of what life was like for the men, women and children – some as young as seven – who were tried and locked up here all those years ago.
Iona
Islands
Iona is an island just west of Mull in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It is mainly known for Iona Abbey, though there are other buildings on the island. It is today known for its relative tranquility and natural environment. IT is now a beautiful tourist attraction which has a lot of tourists every year.
Iona Abbey and Nunnery
Churches
Old Ruins
Iona Abbey is an abbey located on the island of Iona, just off the Isle of Mull on the West Coast of Scotland. is the spiritual home of the Iona Community, an ecumenical Christian religious order, whose headquarters are in Glasgow. The Abbey remains a popular site of Christian pilgrimage today. The abbey remained an important place of worship and pilgrimage until the Reformation in 1560, after which monastic life came to an end and it largely fell into disuse.
Islas Hébridas Interiores
Islands
The Inner Hebrides islands are an archipelago of Scotland located southeast of the Outer Hebrides . Traditionally the Inner Hebrides are divided into two groups: those of the North and those of the South. The settlement of the Inner Hebrides began when the Scandinavian Vikings arrived there before the 9th century BC. C. The Nordic Control formally began in 1098 when Edgar of Scotland put the islands in the hands of Magnus III , King of Norway
Isle of Jura Distillery Co
Man-made Structures- Other
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.
Kerrera
Islands
A beautiful island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It is home to a population of ~40, but there’s not really any village on the island. If you want to stay on the island there are some self catering cottages and a bunkhouse. The island is known for the ruined Gylen Castle, a small tower house built in 1582. Kerrera is in fact quite a large island and can be compared with Scarba, Seil and Luing, is scarcely populated and provides excellent shelter for the Oban harbour.
Kilchoman Distillery
Man-made Structures- Other
Kilchoman is a small-scale, farm-based distillery located at Rockside Farm, not far from Bruichladdich. It produces produces single malt Scotch whisky and it uses barley grown on site at Rockside Farm and malted at the distillery, as well as malt from the Port Ellen maltings and releases separate bottlings depending on the source of the grain.
Kilchurn Castle
Forts
Old Ruins
A majestic ruin of a fortress, a comfortable residence and later a garrison stronghold, and contains the oldest surviving barracks on the British mainland. It was built in the mid-1400s, and it remained the base of the mighty Campbells of Glenorchy for 150 years. It is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland and is open to the public in summer.
Kilmartin Museum
Museums
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.
Lagavulin Distillery
Man-made Structures- Other
The Lagavulin distillery on Islay is home to perhaps one of Scotland's most famous Whiskies. It can be found sitting quietly in its small and beautiful bay, within view of the Dunyvaig Castle ruins. Lagavulin is known for its producer's use of a slow distillation speed and pear shaped pot stills. The two wash stills have a capacity of 11,000 litres and the two spirit stills of 12,500 litres each.
Laphroaig Distillery
Man-made Structures- Other
Laphroaig Distillery is beautifully situated in the south of Islay and is one of the three "Kildalton Distilleries". Laphroaig is considered one of the most strongly flavored of all scotch whiskies, and is generally aged to 10 years. The distillery and brand are owned and operated by Beam Suntory, the American subsidiary of Japan's Suntory Holdings.
Loch Awe
Lake/ River/ Ponds
It is the longest lake in scotland measuring 24 miles from northeast to southwest, situated in Argyll and Bute council area. It has also given its name to a village on its banks, variously known as Loch Awe, or Lochawe. There are islands within the loch such as Innis Chonnell and Inishail. Traditionally Loch Awe was the home of Clan Macarthur, later followed by Clan Campbell. Highlights to see include 2 picturesque castles, a remarkable early 20th-century church, an 18th-century industrial site.
Loch Creran
Lake/ River/ Ponds
Loch Creran, situated at the northern end of the Firth of Lorn, is a typical fjordic sea loch. This loch has four deep basins separated by rocky sills. The conditions change from the entrance of the loch to its head. The site is particularly notable for biogenic reefs of the calcareous tube-worm Serpula vermicularis, which occur in shallow water around the periphery of the loch.
Loch Etive
Lake/ River/ Ponds
Loch Etive is a 30 km sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It reaches the sea at Connel, 5 km north of Oban. It measures 31.6 km long and from 1.2 km to 1.6 km wide. Its depth varies greatly, up to a maximum of 150 m. The narrow mouth of the loch results in its most unusual feature, the Falls of Lora. Part of the north bank has been designated a Special Area of Conservation in particular due to old sessile oak woods.
Map of attractions in Argyll and Bute Council
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For more information about Argyll and Bute Council, visit: https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/home