outdoor activities in Argyll & Bute

Whatever the time of year, whatever the weather, whatever stirs your passions, there's something for everyone outdoors in the Cowal Peninsula. From the tranquillity of Paddle Steamer cruising, hill walking and trout fly fishing to the excitement of quad-biking, wind-surfing and high speed rib boat trips. Where else could you find all of these attractions on hill, mountain, sea and loch grouped together with a backdrop of some of Scotland 's most beautiful scenery?

So come and take part!

Homecoming Scotland

During Homecoming Scotland 2009 we'll be celebrating with a year-long programme of events to highlight Scotland's great contributions to the world

www.homecomingscotland2009.com

Spirit of the West Festival

Inveraray Castle, 16th-17th May 2009

The festival will be a spectacular weekend event and is part of the Homecoming Scotland Celebrations - click here for full details

Adventure

Looking for something more exciting? How about:

• Quadmania - the ultimate quadbike experience.
  Also available Clay Target Shooting, Archery, River Kayaking, Rock Climbing. Group and Corporate Activity Days available.

• Lazer-HQ - The latest craze in all-age combat gaming! Great fun for all the family! The games use state of the art high-tech lazers. A great way to get fit, stay fit and enjoy the outdoors whilst having fun with your friends and family!

• Charter For You - Charter For You offers skippered day sailing trips for up to 12 people starting from Kip or Holy Loch Marina. Also available are bareboat and skippered yacht charter holidays, RYA approved sail training and yacht management. Treat a loved one on a special occasion, or have a get-together with family, friends or colleagues. They can safely and comfortably take up to 6 people on board to enjoy a unique dining and sailing experience. A quality, local chef will come aboard to prepare and serve your dinner which will include the finest Scottish produce. Their yachts are all centrally heated so, no matter what the weather brings, you can enjoy the experience in complete comfort.

Argyll Coast Cruises

• Cruise the sheltered waters and beautiful coastline of Argyll with The Majestic Line
  
  3 and 6 night cruises from Holy Loch, Dunoon, sailing to the beautiful Kyles of Bute, the spectacular sea lochs of the Cowal Peninsula and the islands of Bute, Cumbrae and Arran.

Sailing

• Holy Loch Marina - All your sailing needs are available at the Holy Loch Marina which offers all the sailing and yachting facilities you would expect to find in a first class marina

Photography

• Lochvisions - Uniquely we provide all equipment, including pro standard cameras, therefore it is suitable for any person who fancies a great day out, regardless of experience or whether they own a camera or not. Next day booking through the season is available as well.

Walking and cycling

Plenty of walking country!! A walker's paradise.

• Argyll Forest Park, part of Loch Lomond Trossachs National Park offers many varied walks from the gentle stroll to the strenuous hike and is home to many kinds of birds of prey, red deer, roe deer, red squirrels and even the elusive pine martin.

• Cowal Walking and Arts Festival is held every October and offers guided walks, botanical bounties, village rambles and much more.

• The Cowal Way (long distance) plus circular walks graded easy to extremely strenuous. And the flat promenade in Dunoon allows leisurely strolling for up to 4 miles.

• Mountain Bike Hire – explore Cowal’s stunning scenery- top brand mountain bikes available. Contact XBikes Argyll on 07795 301748

Fishing

The warm waters of the Firth of Clyde offer rich pickings for the sea angler. There are many rocky outcrops along the coastline of the area that are easily accessed and give plenty of opportunity for sea fishing for mackerel to conger eels, as do the sheltered piers of Rothesay, Dunoon, Lochgoilhead and Tighnabruaich. Inland, Loch Eck, amongst the forested hills north of Dunoon, has angling for salmon, trout and powan, while Loch Fad on the Isle of Bute, again amongst superb scenery, is famed for its rainbow and brown trout. Lochs Ascog, Quien and Greenan, again on Bute, are excellent for coarse fishing, with fine specimen pike a rich prize at Ascog.

For comprehensive information on all great fishing opportunities in the Isle of Bute and Cowal Peninsula, look at

• www.visitscottishheartlands.com

Golf

With the help of some short ferry crossings, Dunoon opens out a quite remarkable choice of golf, of great versatility. Looking for a change for your next golfing trip, club outing or golfing holiday? you will always find a course to suit you here :

• Lady or gentleman; senior or junior
• Links or parkland; scenic inland to seaside
• Challenging or gentle; hidden gems to championship
• Simple 9 hole to inspirational 18

Such variety makes Dunoon an outstanding golf destination. Base yourself here and enjoy all of these course styles!

Proximity to the hotel, clear air, and excellent long light from spring to autumn allows two invigorating and stimulating rounds per day comfortably (for the fanatic.) Perhaps a combination of an exciting 18 and a gentle 9 for the more restrained enthusiast. Or why not mix the excellent golf with some great fishing which we can arrange for you - or touring and sightseeing.

Courses

Great Championship Courses:

• Machrihanish
• Western Gailes
• Troon

Just some of a wealth of hidden gems:

• Cowal
• Tighnabruaich
• Innellan
• Bute
• Rothesay

Pony Trekking

Experience beach and forest rides for experienced riders, riding courses, trail riding. Excellent pony trekking for beginners. Specialist in disabled riding (RDA). Wonderful ponies including Icelandic and Fell ponies.

Contact
Velvet Path Trekking/Riding Centre
Mrs Janett South 
Campbell Road
Innellan
By Dunoon, Argyll
Phone: +44 (0)1369 830580.

Clyde Cruising

Sail on the last sea-going Paddle Steamer in the world, the Waverley with a variety of trips from Dunoon Pier ranging as far as a trip to Arran or through the famous Kyles of Bute. For details of sailings and times please click here.

Riverside Leisure Centre

Friendly, Bright, Welcoming, Exciting - these are the words used by our customers
to describe us. Whether you want to exercise, relax or simply chill out, this is the place for you.

Features

• Swimming Pool
• Fitness Suite which includes 15 pieces of cardiovascular equipment, 15 pieces of resistance equipment, free weights and regular abdominasl classes
• Health Suite which includes Sauna, Steam Room & Spa
• Café open every day from 10 am

Why not stroll along and visit us -- no need to swim -- Just sit back and relax. Easy lift access and fabulous views of the Firth of Clyde.