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
Loch Lomond
Lake/ River/ Ponds
Loch Lomond sits at the heart of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. There is some great walking and cycling to do around Loch Lomond. The loch contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles.
Loch Tulla
Lake/ River/ Ponds
Loch Tulla is a small loch near Bridge of Orchy and Glen Coe in Scotland and in the central highlands. It contains salmon some of which are bred locally. It lies north-east of the Inveroran Hotel, a popular West Highland Way stop off point close to Bridge of Orchy.
Lunga
Islands
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.
McCaig's Tower and Battery Hill
Iconic Buildings
Old Ruins
McCaig's Tower and Battery Hill is a prominent tower on Battery Hill overlooking the town of Oban in Argyll, Scotland. It is built of Bonawe granite taken from the quarries across Airds Bay. Built in 1897 by local banker John Stuart McCaig, the aim of the tower was to provide work for local stonemasons and a lasting monument to the McCaig family. The gardens inside the tower are well maintained and are a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of town life in Oban.
Mount Stuart
Iconic Buildings
Old Ruins
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.
Moy Castle
Iconic Buildings
Moy Castle is a ruined castle near Lochbuie on the Isle of Mull, Scotland. The tower has 3 main stories and a garret, with two entresol floors built over the haunches of the barrel-vaults covering the ground and first floors, and remains of two 16th century cap-houses. The site is now a scheduled monument.
Oban Distillery
Man-made Structures- Other
Oban Distillery is both one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and one of the smallest with just two pot stills. It has only two pot stills, making it one of the smallest in Scotland, producing a whisky that has been described as having a "West Highland" flavour that falls between the dry, smoky style of the Scottish islands and the lighter, sweeter malts of the Highlands.
Oronsay
Islands
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.
Paps of Jura
1 Day Treks
Mountain Peaks
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.
Pucks Glen
Lake/ River/ Ponds
Puck's Glen is a river-formed ravine on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, with a popular scenic walking trail beside the Eas Mòr stream. It comes under Forestry and Land Scotland which has highlighted it as a feature of the Argyll Forest Park, and described it as "One of the most magical forests in Scotland, with a delightful trail along a rocky gorge.
River Orchy
Lake/ River/ Ponds
The river Orchy is a rain fed pool drop river. Recent gold mining exploration has occurred in one of the river's glens just outside the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. There are islands within the river including a large wooded one about 1 mi above Inverlochy Castle. The river is famous for kayaking, whitewater rafting, and fishing. Recent gold mining exploration has occurred in one of the river's glens just outside the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
Ross of Mull
Outdoors- Other
The Ross of Mull is the largest peninsula of the Isle of Mull. The Ross of Mull is definitely a playground for the outdoor enthusiast offering bouldering and rock climbing, walking, cycling and kayaking amongst other sports and activities. Historically the area's main industries consisted of crofting, fishing, kelp, and granite quarries.
Rothesay Castle
Iconic Buildings
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.
Royal Castle of Tarbert
Iconic Buildings
Old Ruins
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.
Seil
1 Day Treks
Mountain Peaks
Seil is one of the Slate Islands, located on the east side of the Firth of Lorn, 7 miles southwest of Oban, in Scotland. Seil has been linked to the mainland by bridge since the late 18th century. It became part of the estates of the Breadalbane family and in the early 18th century they began to exploit the rich potential of the Neoproterozoic slate beds.
Skipness Castle
Iconic Buildings
Old Ruins
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.
Slate Islands
Islands
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.
St Peter's Seminary
Churches
Old Ruins
St. Peter's Seminary is a former Roman Catholic seminary near Cardross, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It has been described by the international architecture conservation organisation DOCOMOMO as a modern "building of world significance. It is one of only 42 post-war buildings in Scotland to be listed at Category A, the highest level of protection for a building of "special architectural or historic interest.
St. Blane's Chapel
Churches
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.
St. Conan’s Kirk
Churches
St Conan's Kirk is an extraordinary early 20th-century church on the shore of Loch Awe, built by Walter Douglas Campbell. The unique church has no level foundations, and features some unconventional architectural details. It was now one of the famous pilgrimage sites in this area and attracts a lot of tourists too.
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