Destinations > Scotland > Central Scotland > Argyll & Bute

Argyll & Bute

Argyll and Bute encompasses an area that includes the western Highlands and the Inner Hebrides including Colonsay, Islay, Jura and Mull. Although many travellers pass through here en route to the Highlands, not many people stop for longer than a day.

Loch Lomond

Scotland's largest loch is a popular weekend getaway for Glaswegians. It comprises part of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, which is Scotland's first national park even though it wasn't officially opened until July 2002. There are some good hiking trails around Loch Lomond and it makes a good excursion from Glasgow, which is only 30km away.

The Loch covers three unitary authorities, the Scottish equivalent of a county; these are Argyll and Bute, which includes the heavily visited western shore; Stirling to the east and Dumbarton and Clydebank, which includes Balloch and the easily accessible south shore. The main towns in the region are Balloch, Dryman, Luss and Tarbet.

Practical Information

Balloch Tourist Information Centre

Balloch Road, Balloch

Tel (01389) 753 533

Open Apr-May 10am-5pm daily; Jun-Sep 9.30am-6pm daily; Oct 10am-5pm daily

Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Headquarters

The Old Station, Balloch G83 8SS

Tel (01389) 722600

Website www.lochlomond-trossachs.org

Open Apr-May 10am-5pm daily; Jun-Sep 9.30am-6pm daily; Oct 10am-5pm daily

Coming & Going

Loch Lomond's close proximity to Glasgow means that many people commute so there are frequent transport connections between Glasgow and the larger towns on the loch.

Balloch has the best transport connections with frequent Scottish Citylink buses and a half-hourly train service to Glasgow, which is 35-45 minutes away.

The train is the best option if you're headed for Balloch because buses don't stop near the centre. However the bus is a better option if you're headed farther north to Luss and Tarbet.

Accommodation

Loch Lomond SYHA

Auchendennan, Arden, Alexandria G83 8RA
Tel 0870 004 1136

Rowardennan SYHA

Rowardennan, By Drymen G63 0AR
Tel 0870 004 1148

Hiking

There are several good hiking trails in the Loch Lomond area including the West Highland Way as well as the popular hikes up Ben Lomond and Ben Vorlich.

Sights

Loch Lomond Shores Visitors' Centre

This striking building overlooking the Loch features audiovisual presentations about the wildlife and the legends that surround Loch Lomond.

Balloch

Bus 204, 205 Train Balloch

Tel (01389) 721500

Website www.lochlomondshores.com

Admission £5.95

Open Jan-Mar 11am-5pm daily; Apr-Sep 9am-7pm daily; Oct-Dec 10am-5pm daily

Inveraray

Noted for its Georgian architecture, this small town features several engaging attractions including a castle and the Inveraray Jail.

Practical Information

Tourist Information Centre

Front Street, Inveraray

Tel (01499) 302063

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun noon-4pm; Apr Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm; May-Jun Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm; Jul-Aug 9am-6pm daily; Sep-Oct Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun noon-4pm

Coming & Going

Scottish Citylink (tel (08705) 505050; website www.citylink.co.uk) run coaches from Glasgow and Oban.

Accommodation

Inverary SYHA

Dalmally Road, Inveraray PA32 8XD
Tel (01499) 302 454 or 0870 004 1125

Sights

Inveraray Castle

The fairy-tale Inveraray Castle sits among immaculate gardens and is home to the Duke of Argyll.

Tel (01499) 302203

Website www.inveraray-castle.com

Admission £5.90 (£4.90 students)

Open Apr-May Mon-Thu 10am-1pm (last entry 12.30pm) & 2pm-5.45pm (last entry 5pm), Sat 10am-1pm (last entry 12.30pm) & 2pm-5.45pm (last entry 5pm), Sun 1pm-5.45pm (last entry 5pm); Jun-Sep Mon-Sat 10am-5.45pm (last entry 5pm), Sun 1am-5.45pm (last entry 5pm); Oct Mon-Thu 10am-1pm (last entry 12.30pm) & 2pm-5.45pm (last entry 5pm), Sat 10am-1pm (last entry 12.30pm) & 2pm-5.45pm (last entry 5pm), Sun 1pm-5.45pm (last

entry 5pm)

Inveraray Jail

This impressive restored 19th century prison features several interactive displays and exhibits that include the popular Torture, Death and Damnation exhibition.

Tel (01499) 302 381

Website www.inverarayjail.co.uk

Admission £5.75

Open Jan-Mar 10am-5pm daily (last entry 4pm); Apr-Oct 9.30am-6pm daily (last entry 5pm); Nov-Dec 10am-5pm daily (last entry 4pm)

Inveraray Maritime Museum (the Arctic Pengiun)

Inveraray's maritime museum is housed inside the Arctic Penguin, a three-mast schooner, built in 1911, which is one of the last iron sailing ships.

Tel (01499) 302 213

Website www.skwebpages.com/arctic/

Admission £3

Open Jan-Mar 10am-5pm daily; Apr-Sep 10am-6pm daily; Oct-Dec 10am-5pm daily

Oban

This busy ferry port doesn't have a lot to see and do, but it is a pleasant enough place to spend a day or two.

Practical Information

Oban Tourist Information Centre

Argyle Square, Oban

Tel (01631) 563 122

Website www.oban.org.uk

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat-Sun noon-4pm; Apr Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun noon-5pm; May-Jun Mon-Sat 9am-6.30pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-7pm; Sep Mon-Sat 9am-6.30pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Oct Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat-Sun noon-4pm

Coming & Going

Oban is well connected with trains to Fort William and Glasgow.

Scottish Citylink (tel (08705) 505 050; website www.citylink.co.uk) has coach services from Oban to Fort William, Glasgow and Inverness.

Caledonian MacBrayne ferries (tel (01631) 566688; website www.calmac.co.uk) depart from Railway Pier for the Western Isles and the southern Hebrides.

Accommodation

Corran House

1 Victoria Crescent, Corran Esplanade, Oban PA34 5PN
Tel (01631) 566 040

Jeremy Inglis Hostel

21 Airds Crescent, Oban PA34 5SJ
Tel (01631) 565 065

Oban Backpackers

Breadalbane Street, Oban PA34 5NZ
Tel (01631) 562 107

Oban SYHA

Esplanade, Oban, Argyll, PA34 5AF
Tel (01631) 562 025 or 0870 004 1144

Sights

Dunollie Castle

Dating from 1150, Oban's oldest building lays in ruin a couple of kilometres north of the city centre. This castle is not officially open to the public, but it is a popular spot with visitors.

McCaig's Tower

The Colosseum-like McCaig's tower dominates Oban and also offers great views of the city.

Laurel Street, Oban

Admission free

Always open