Self Catering Dunoon Argyll

Availability and Booking

 

Firth View House & Lyall Cliff Cottage East Bay Dunoon

Tel: 01729 851181 Texts to 07885 211787 (7 Days)

Self Catering in Dunoon Argyll a choice of Two well appointed sea front holiday homes sleeping up to 4 or 8 people, perfectly situated for the attractions of Dunoon and it’s wonderful promenade walks, enjoying fantastic sea front views.

The views from Firth View House and Lyall Cliff Cottage extend North West to the Loch Lomond hills and south to the Isle of Arran and the Cumbrae Islands. Sample a peaceful, authentic seaside atmosphere in a choice of two quality self catering homes on the sea front in the East Bay of Dunoon, Argyll.

“NO-SMOKING throughout” NO PETS and No children under 4 years

  • 4 Bedroom Villa and 2 Bedroom Cottage, Sleeps 4 and 8, Semi Detached, Shorefront location, NO Pet’s, Washer Dryer, Central Heating, Fridge / Freezer, Car Parking, Pubs / Inn’s near, SAT TV / DVD, Bedding and Towels, Disabled Friendly.

Your Accommodation Local Area Information Enquiries + Bookings Travel Directions Local Mountain Biking Loch Eck and Fishing Fantastic Day Trips The Cowal Peninsula


Why visit Argyll, Cowal and Bute?

Why not head North to Oban and Fort William? 90% of Scotland’s most appreciated tourist do just that…year after year. Yet Argyll, Cowal and Bute offer you the most populated area of lochs and walkways, spectacular scenery, botanic gardens, castles and wildlife in Scotland and because it is off the beaten tourist track, a very peaceful and relaxing place in which to stay. The very best of Scotland in miniature and packed into an area of only 35 x 25 miles and all within 60 minutes of Shelford Holiday Villa. “If you want to see all the best highlights and delights of Scotland… stay in Cowal for a week or two”

The Cowal peninsula offers you “Scotland in Miniature” the most populated area of Lochs, Forest Trails, Walkways, Spectacular Scenery, Gardens, Castles and Wildlife in the whole of Scotland, all crammed into a area of just 35 x 25 miles! Making touring the attractions simple and economical, so treat yourselves to a great value holiday of Relaxation, Walking, Fishing, Golfing and Bird watching.

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The Benmore botanic Gardens and it’s Giant Redwoods (a short drive away)

Discover the true beauty and history of Scotland

The Cowal peninsula and Argyll Forest Park, some 54,000 acres, offer you a wide range of sporting activities including golf, fishing, various pleasure cruises, mountain-biking, cycling, organised horse riding and of course sailing and other water-based sports. For the walker choose from Seaside / Loch side trails to Woodland forest trails through what is accepted as the most beautiful scenic area of Scotland, notably Pucks Glen, Glenbranter and the magnificent world renowned “Benmore Botanic Gardens”.

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Loch Eck and Argyll

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Magnificent Loch Eck just over 6 miles long and 67 feet above sea level, scythes through the centre of the Cowal Peninsula, surrounded by high, forested hills. The loch epitomizes Cowal – rugged and spectacular but at the same time peaceful, where you can while away the hours walking, taking in the scenery and fishing in Loch Eck for Salmon trout, the Gwyniad or fresh-water Herring and a remarkably translucent fish 4 or 5 inches long called the Goldie. Captivating Bute, once the island retreat of Scottish kings, lies at the heart of the Firth of Clyde, and is the favorite destination of the famous ‘Waverley’, the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world. The area abounds in wildlife. Seagulls, Cormorants, Gannets, Eider Ducks and Swans and Seals are frequent passers-by.

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The Coylet Inn by Loch Eck and Autumn views of Loch Eck

Activities on your doorstep or less than 1 hours travel

There are numerous scenic forest walks and loch side trails with signposted footpaths, in particular to Carrick Castle on the shores of Loch Goil and through the sprawling Argyll Forest Park area. There are 3 local golf courses within easy reach of you accommodation Innellan and Blairmore (both competitive 9 hole course) and the Cowal golf course, Dunoon (18 holes). Fishing and sea angling is available on your doorstep either from the banks of the Clyde below the front garden or the old pier. Numerous nearby rivers offer Brown Trout, Salmon and Sea Salmon. For those wishing to cruise on Loch Eck, motor or rowing boats are available to hire.

Toward Castle is now a residential training centre operated by Actual Reality Scotland and offers fantastic days out for bored restless children, Castle Towards outdoor education activities include catwalks and a high jump, as well as gorge walks and hill walks. The castles long history has led to a number of ghost stories. As well as outdoor education, the house is used for residential courses for young people in music and art. The Glasgow Schools’ Symphony Orchestra and West of Scotland Schools’ Symphony Orchestra visit regularly. The children’s BBC TV series Raven also use Castle Toward as a film location. You can contact Actual Reality Scotland Tel: 01369 870249 Fax: 01369 870337.

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In Dunoon there is an excellent new indoor swimming pool. Around the area lie quaint lochside villages. Further north is Strone, Ardentinny and Strachur…further north still is Inverary, Lochgoilhead and Oban all with extensive facilities. The Arrochar Alps… gloriously rugged peaks for the more serious hill walker, stand high above Loch Long, looking onto the ‘Rest and be Thankful’, a fine viewpoint where cattle drovers once enjoyed a well deserved break after a tough climb. To the East, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs – Scotland’s first National park.

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The Benmore Botanical Gardens

Your Accommodation Local Area Information Enquiries + Bookings Travel Directions Local Mountain Biking Loch Eck and Fishing Fantastic Day Trips The Cowal Peninsula



The Benmore Gardens is a specialist garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, is a magnificent woodland garden set amidst the mountains of the Cowal Peninsula. Its 140 acres are renowned for the wide collection of trees and shrubs, which includes over 250 species of rhododendrons. One of the most spectacular views is the avenue of Giant Redwood trees (pictured below) which greets every visitor on entering the garden.

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Throughout there are waymarked walks, which lead to a beautiful pond and formal garden which display a wide variety of Himalayan and Oriental plants. Continue up the richly planted hill slopes, which rise to 450 feet to a dramatic viewpoint overlooking the Eachaig valley and the Holy Loch. Refreshments are available. The Botanics Shop sells a range of books, gifts and plants some of which can be found in the garden. Facilities are also provided for those less able, including wheelchairs.

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The Pucks Glen Forest and Waterfall Walks

Within an easy 20 minute drive from Shelford, you can also access lot’s of waterfalls at Pucks Glen and a choice of 3 mouth watering woodland trails Pet Friendly, sign posted and marked out offering a sometimes tropical rainforest feel with magnificent views from the summits. The waterfalls walk (below) features a meandering tour up the valley involving a series bridges crossing streams, cascading waterfalls and pools, particularly delightful after a strong downpour of rain!

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The Pucks Glen Waterfalls Walks (less than 15 minutes away)

The Glen Massan trail

In the same area as Pucks Glen and the Benmore gardens, you will also find at the end of a delightful single track trail that Glen Massan a great place to visit, particularly for fishing, leisure walkers, pet owners and those just seeking the peace and quiet. Here you can walk for miles along the easy the going river trail, there are also more challenging forest trails for the serious walkers and plenty of good places for a picnics.

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The lovely Glen Massan where you can walk, picnic and fish

The Spectacular Kyles of Bute

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The spectacular Kyles of Bute as seen on television, can be easily reached in less than 1 hour from Shelford and well worth the journey as you pass through some delightful little villages, Lochs, forest and Glens on the way there.

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The Spectacular Kyles of Bute (less than 1 hours drive away)

The magical Isle of Bute

Combine these most spectacular views…with a trip to the captivating Isle of Bute a beautiful little island about 15 miles long and nearly 5 miles wide and within a hours drive of Shelford, always a favorite day trip with much to offer with hills in the North and plenty of sandy beaches, ruined chapels and castles, yachting, fishing, golf, etc. Bute’s many gardens benefit from the Gulf Stream which gives the island a mild climate enabling palm trees and other exotic plants to grow here. One of the main visitor attractions is the spectacular Mount Stuart house and gardens. Canada hill offers the best views from this island.

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Bute Castle (left) and “Mount Stuart” and it’s gardens (centre) and the short ferry crossing to the Isle of Bute (right)

Dunoon and the Cowalfest

The highly popular October walking festival know as the Cowalfest is now firmly established as a highlight of the year in the Cowal calendar, with all the walks graded and numbered. There are also cultural and social events to accompany this event, which usually last about 10 days around the middle of the month – A ‘must’ for walkers! and based around the popular capital town Dunoon, which offers all services, including 2 x supermarkets, high street shops include giftware, electrical, grocery, health. One local hospital (Dunoon general), doctor, vet. Numerous leisure facilities include crown green bowling, tennis courts, swimming baths, quad biking, golf and crazy golf. There are 2 ferry regular ferry crossings to Gourock and the Waverley Puffer calls in the summer.

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Panoramas of Dunoon, the high street and square

Inveraray it’s castle, the old Jail, the Puffer and museum

Well worth a visit during your stay and less than 60 minutes drive is the lovely town of Inveraray (Inbhir Aora in Gaelic) a former royal burgh in Argyll and Bute, located on the western shore of Loch Fyne near its head. One time traditional county town of Argyll and ancestral home to the Duke of Argyll, who founded the town in 1745, alongside his new home, Inveraray Castle. Its distinctive white buildings on the loch shore make it very photogenic and it is a very popular tourist destination, with a number of attractions in addition to the castle. The Georgian Inveraray Jail in the burgh is now a museum. Other attractions include the Argyll Folk Museum at Auchindrain. The Celtic Inveraray Cross can also been seen in the town. The Arctic Penguin ship Maritime Museum is moored at the pier, along with the Clyde puffer VIC 72, renamed Eilean Eisdeal.

 

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Panorama of Inverary (left) the high street, the harbour, the castle and estate (right)

Oban “The Gateway to the Isles”

Just over 60 minutes drive away from Whistlefield lies the busy fishing town of Oban “The Gateway to the Isles” with supermarkets, high street stores, Shops, restaurants and Pubs. Oban is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William and occupies a beautiful setting in the Firth of Lorn. Oban Bay is a near perfect horseshoe bay, protected by the island of Kerrera, and beyond Kerrera is Mull. To the north is the long low island of Lismore, and the mountains of Morvern and Ardgour. Oban has a large Gaelic speaking population. All road and street signs are translated into the Scottish language. Attractions in Oban include the Waterfront Centre, the Cathedral of St Columba, the Oban Distillery, Dunollie Castle, Dunstaffnage Castle and McCaig’s Tower, which dominates the town’s skyline. From here you can easily extend your day trip by taking the Calmac ferry to visit the Isle of Mull, Tobermory (The fictional Balamory) and the sacred Isle of Iona.

 

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Tobermory “the fictional Balamory”

Seil, Luing and Easdale Island

Approx 90 minutes drive away, lie the delightful inner hebridean chain of 3 small Islands. Accessed via the unique and only bridge over the “Atlantic” Seil Island leads to the historic Easdale slating Island via foot ferry to the West from Ellanbeich. To the south lies the delightful island of Luing accessed via car ferry. Easdale made famous by it’s many picture postcard appearances has a population of around 150 people and the centre of population including a village shop and Pub is based around the beautiful harbour inlet. Luings major areas of population lie around Tobernochry and Cullipool and is accessed by a short car ferry crossing from the south of Seil Island.

 

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The bridge over the Atlantic (left) leads to Seil, Luing (centre) and Easdale (right)

The endangered Red Squirrel

Around the Cowal peninsula, you will see many of the endangered Red squirrels they have a typical head to body length of 19 to 23 a tail length of 15 to 20 cm and a mass of 250 to 340. The red squirrel is slightly smaller than the common eastern grey squirrel, unfortunately the grey squirrel is the main reason for the red squirrels decline and you will see particularly in this area of Cowal, the many measures taken to try to preserve this endangered species such as their own rope bridges and tunnels across the busier roads !

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Mountain bikes and Walking Holidays

Your Accommodation Local Area Information Enquiries + Bookings Travel Directions Local Mountain Biking Loch Eck and Fishing Fantastic Day Trips The Cowal Peninsula


Along with numerous local walks, more serious walkers can sample a part / all of the Cowal way. The Cowal Way is a long distance footpath split into 6 sections, running the length of the Cowal Peninsula. It starts at Portavadie, beside Loch Fyne, and finishes in at Ardgartan, by Loch Long. It is 47 miles (75 km) long, climbing 5050 ft (1540 m) on the way. The route follows existing rights of way and public roads, most of which are extremely quiet, or cross Forestry Commission land, which includes a good deal of open hill. Access is not an issue. For the mountain bikers there is also the more local to where you are staying Glen Kin way an easy 6 mile / 10 Km circuit of a small glen in Cowal, Argyll that suits beginners and provides more experienced riders with optional challenges

For the mountain bikers there is also the more local to where you are staying Glen Kin way an easy 6 mile / 10 Km circuit of a small glen in Cowal, Argyll that suits beginners and provides more experienced riders with optional challenges

For more information on guided walks, please contact Nikki Dayton Tel 01369 860324. You can also hire bikes daily / Weekly from either Quadmania Ltd 01369 810246 Or ProAdventure Scotland 01369 707456

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The highly acclaimed Loch Fyne Oster Restaurant and it’s fantastic seafood shop

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Toward point and lighthouse (top ) and the array of wildlife living around this point 10 miles south of Dunoon (below)

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An evening out and the Local area

Your Accommodation Local Area Information Enquiries + Bookings Travel Directions Local Mountain Biking Loch Eck and Fishing Fantastic Day Trips The Cowal Peninsula


Many of the local hotels serve good meals, at different standards and prices. Within 30 minutes drive are the Coach Inn at Cairndow, and The Creggans at Strachur. Other excellent inns / restaurants include: The renowned Loch Fyne Oyster Bar and shop, the Coylet Inn by Loch Eck, and the ‘TV famous’ Whistlefield Inn www.whistlefieldinn.co.uk, a 14th Century inn with an open fire and inviting atmosphere. Also the Strone Inn open for good food and drink. Also The Pier at Kilmun the Cothouse Hotel 3 miles away

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The 14th century Whistlefield Inn (Left) and the Oyster Catcher” Inn / Restaurant (Right)

Self Catering Dunoon Argyll – Accommodation

Your Accommodation Local Area Information Enquiries + Bookings Travel Directions Local Mountain Biking Loch Eck and Fishing Fantastic Day Trips The Cowal Peninsula


 

Lyall Cliff Cottage (Sleeps 4)

Lyall Cliff Cottage is an attached cosy cottage set back slightly from the promenade, offering attractive accommodation and capacity for up to 4 persons. Consisting of 2 upstairs bedrooms (1 double & 1 twin) and downstairs Sitting room, Dining room, Kitchen, & Bathroom (with bath & electric shower). It has gas central heating, double glazing, an electric cooker, fridge, & washer-dryer, as well as microwave, toaster, kettle, and all utensils etc

The comfortable Sitting Room includes a 2-piece suite and is equipped with Freeview TV and VCR, Coffee tables, information leaflets and books. Cars can be parked in front of the cottage, providing easy access. Fine sea-views can be enjoyed from upstairs and from the sitting room.

Hire charges include bed linen, starters towels, and power, but please note there is an EXTRA CHARGE for gas.

Firthview House (Sleeps 8)

Firthview House enjoys wonderful open sea views from 5 of the 7 rooms. There are 4 en-suite bedrooms (2 doubles and 2 twins) each with Wash Hand Basin, WC, & electric shower. There is large lounge, Sitting room and spacious kitchen / dining room.

A short access ramp provides disabled access. The ground floor accommodation comprises the TV lounge (equipped with leather suite, electric stove, & Toshiba Freeview TV with DVD Combi) The large fitted Kitchen / Dining room is fitted with a large Fridge / Freezer, Washer Dryer, Dishwasher, Microwave, Toaster, 2 Kettles and all necessary utensils), and one downstairs twin bedroom.

There is an additional toilet / shower room near the entrance hallway

Upstairs, The double bedrooms and the wicker Sitting Room enjoy extensive sea views north towards the Loch Lomond hills and south to Arran and the Cumbrae islands. Gas central heating and double glazing ensure a cosy stay, and most bedrooms have a small TV. All are well appointed and very comfortable. This large Holiday homes has gas central heating, sea-views, and independent access

Whistlefield Lodges

The Red Squirell – Eagles – Buzzards and Red Deer / Stag are also local residents