Golf The
areas surrounding the Firth of Clyde are ideal for holiday escapes
and it is here that you will find fine courses on the beautiful
Cowal Peninsula such as the Cowal and Innellan clubs near Dunoon.
Further west is the hilly moorland of Kyles of Bute Course,
well known for its wildlife. On the island of Bute itself is
Rothesay Golf Club, one of the most inspiring settings anywhere
in which to strike a ball, while at Kingarth, a unique 9-hole
course is set next to the sands of Stravannan. Port Bannatyne
Golf Club is unusual in that if offers 13 holes, an ideal length
if you want a relaxed round.
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for further information on all courses in Isle of Bute, and
the Cowal Peninsula.
Click here
for details of golfing opportunities throughout Argyll, the
Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and Trossachs.
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to search our database of sports and leisure operators which
includes golf specialists.
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more general information on golfing opportunities
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.
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to search our database of sports and leisure operators, including
specialist fishing operators.
Click here for further information
on all fishing opportunities in the Isle of Bute and Cowal
Peninsula.
Click here
for details of fishing opportunities throughout Argyll, the
Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and Trossachs.
Walking
One of the best ways to appreciate the varied landscape of the
Isle of Bute is on foot, following the many short walking routes
throughout the island, ranging from gentle strolls to more strenuous
climbs. A walk in the mature woodlands around Rothesay, the
islands picturesque capital, offers fine views over the Firth
of Clyde. There are plenty of enjoyable shore walks, such as
the Ettrick Bay area which offers superb views over the Kyles
of Bute. There are also walks into the heart of the island :
from Barone Hill you have a superb view of the whole island.
For those looking for a long walk there is the West Island Way
- Scotland first long distance island footpath. The Way encompasses
some of the best walking that Bute has to offer and embraces
a variety of landscapes : seashore, moorland, farmland and forest.
The Cowal Peninsula also offers a number of varied routes for
the walker. There are several high viewpoints in the West
of the Peninsula with splendid views over Loch Fyne and the
Kyles of Bute. Further East there is the choice of short walks
along Forest Enterprise routes, or longer walks along the
shores of Loch Goil or Loch Long. The Cowal Way offers walkers
the opportunity to follow a long distance footpath or sample
some sections of it.
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to search our database of sports and leisure operators which
includes walking specialists
Click here
to search our database of sightseeing and tour operators which
includes operators offering walking based tours
Click here to visit www.walkingwild.com
- a comprehensive listing of walks throughout the area.
Sailing
and watersports With a magnificent sealoch indented coastline, as well
as fine inland lochs and rivers, there is plenty of opportunity
to indulge in the best of watersports in the Isle of Bute
& the Cowal Peninsula. The waters of the Firth of Clyde
are renowned as amongst the best sailing waters in the world,
with islands large and small. Berthing facilities are available
at Rothesay, and moorings at Port Bannatyne and Kilchattan
Bay on Bute, Dunoon, Lochgoilhead, Strachur, Ardentinny, the
Holy Loch, Innellan, Otter Ferry, Tighnabruaich and Colintraive.
Sea canoeing, wind-surfing and kayaking are also popular,
as is water skiing in the sheltered bays.
Click on the following links for a range of specialist operators in sailing, watersports and cruising operators:
Wildlife
Cowal is the domain of birds of prey and red deer, and many
species may be spotted within the unspoilt Argyll Forest Park, part of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
The north of the Isle of Bute is the domain of feral mountain
goats, buzzards and roe deer, while Scalpsie Bay is home to
a large colony of seals who gaze curiously from their rocky
perches at those who gather to watch their antics. Red squirrels
can still be spotted in some of the inland glens.
Click on the following links for a range of specialist operators in wildlife related activities and tours:
Horseriding
Bute and Cowal offers the ideal location for trekking and riding, and there are landscapes to suit riders of every level, from novices to the more experienced.
You can choose from shoreline gallops along wide, deserted beaches on the coast to shady forest trails through the Argyll Forest Park and around Loch Eck. The quiet, country lanes throughout Bute & Cowal are also excellent for meandering.
Click here to search our database of sports and leisure operators, including specialist in horseriding holidays and activities.
Cycling
With its quiet country lanes, the Isle of Bute & Cowal Peninsula
is an excellent area for leisurely family cycling. It offers
a variety of landscapes, from rolling hills and moorland to
mountains, which provide many opportunities for cyclists of
all ages and abilities. The trails of the Argyll Forest Park
on the hills surrounding Lochs Long, Goil and Eck are excellent
for safe off-road cycling. South west Cowal has many delightful
shoreline roads and the Isle of Bute is a cyclistâs paradise,
being low lying with many quiet roads.
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to search our database of sports and leisure operators, including specialists in cycling tours and holidays.
Click here for more general information on cycling in Scotland.
