Inveraray is a model estate village and home of the Duke of Argyll, whose magnificent residence, Inveraray Castle, dominates the town. Inveraray Jail recreates a courtroom and prison conditions at the turn of the century, while the Bell Tower has perhaps Scotland's finest peel of bells. The Arctic Penguin Maritime Heritage Centre, housed in an old 'cutter', relates tales of life at sea around the West Coast of Scotland and the Argyll Wildlife Park specialises in rare breeds of Scottish wild animals. To the south of Inveraray, the nearby Auchindrain Highland Township is a restored village allowing visitors an insight into Highland life in centuries gone by.

Tarbert, with its ferry link to Portavadie, has a busy harbour overlooking the ruins of Bruce's Castle. It is the gateway to Kintyre and the southern Hebrides, with ferries to Islay and Jura leaving from nearby Kennacraig.

Eastern Kintyre overlooks Kilbrannan Sound and the Isle of Arran, and passes Skipness Castle, Saddell with its ancient abbey and the popular fishing village of Carradale. The westerly coastal road overlooks the fertile Isle of Gigha - where a visit to Achamore Gardens is a must - and the larger Isles of Islay & Jura. In Campbeltown the Heritage Centre, museum and Davaar Island, with its cave paintings depicting the crucifixion, are a must to visit in addition to Machrihanish, with its championship golf course and glorious beach. Southend and the Mull of Kintyre, made famous by Paul McCartney, has views over to Ireland. It was at Southend where St. Columba landed on his great pilgrimage, leaving his saintly footprints in a rock near the Mull.

Ferry trips to Islay and Colonsay from West Loch Tarbert are mini cruises in themselves. Islay was the centre for Clan Donald power and the Museum of Islay Life in Port Charlotte explains the island's past and its present, where whisky distilling promotes the island's name worldwide. Bowmore, Lagavulin, Caol Ila and others... Gaelic names that are celebrated classics of the whisky world. Many of these distilleries are open to the public. The much more mountainous Jura attracts walkers, climbers and literary pilgrims visiting the house where George Orwell wrote '1984'. It also has its own distillery in Craighouse, whose produce will keep out the winter chill.

The smaller islands of Colonsay and Oronsay are a birdwatcher's paradise, being home to over 200 species, in addition to otters, wild goats and seals. True Highland retreats, these low-lying islands are also steeped in history, with the 18th century Colonsay House and Gardens and much earlier standing stones in evidence.

Suggested Itinerary

From southern Loch Lomond, follow the A82 and A83 to Inveraray (39 miles - Castle, Jail, Bell Tower, Argyll Wildlife Park) and on to Lochgilphead (24 miles). If time permits, take the A816 north to Stra Inveraray Crinan (5 miles ö Canal), and on to Kilmartin (5 miles ö prehistoric remains, burial slabs, crosses, Kilmartin House).

Alternatively, follow the A83 south to Tarbert. Continue along the A83 to Campbeltown (36 miles - Heritage Centre, Museum, Davaar Island), retracing your steps back to Loch Lomond.

Again if time permits, a sailing to Islay (distilleries, Museum of Islay Life), Jura (distillery and mountain scenery) or Gigha (Achamore Gardens) will not disappoint.

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