Nestled between Loch Fyne and Loch Long, the Cowal Peninsula contains a variety of landscapes. Within easy traveling distance of Dunoon, one can find sea, mountains and forests.
An entrance to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is nearby. This national park covers about 720 square miles of lowland hills, tall mountains, lochs, rivers and woodland. Visitors can enjoy the company of otter, osprey, deer and a variety of other wildlife.
Dunoon and the surrounding peninsula offer many attractions, from seasonal gardens to historical monuments. Two of the most popular are Ardkingdas Woodland Gardens and the Castle House Museum.
Ardkingdas Woodland Garden's 25 acres of hidden beauty are near the northern end of Loch Fyne. Here, climate and soil cooperate to create ideal growing conditions, resulting in many "Champion Trees," the largest of their species in the British Isles. Rhododendrons and conifers grow here in abundance.
Scotland is full of ancient history. Visitors can relive these adventures with a tour through the Castle House Museum, one of Cowal's most popular indoor attractions. Within the walls of this ancient relic is a museum that details the history of Cowal from ancient days.
There is always something happening in Dunoon. A weekly schedule of events for the town reveals a busy and varied schedule, including quilting classes, bridge club, bingo, dancing and frequent Scottish Night festivities.
To get a true taste of Dunoon's Scottish heritage, however, attend the Cowal Highland Gathering. This event occurs yearly and is one of the largest Highland gatherings in the world. This festival regularly draws more than 3,000 competitors to participate in numerous competitive events, such as Highland dancing, pipe band, solo piping and athletics. The evening of the event peaks with a march through the Dunoon town center and a fireworks display.
Most of Dunoon's history centers on Dunoon Castle. This fortress was built around 1050 AD and was used as a primary stronghold for many centuries. It was abandoned in 1650 and fell into disrepair.
Visitors to Dunoon Castle will see little of the massive structure that once dominated the landscape. Today, a few grassy lumps on the top of the hill are all that remain of the original structure.
However, the Castle House to the north was built in 1822. Portions of the material used to create this prestigious building were removed from the castle ruins. The house, originally built by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, James Ewing, set a standard that has essentially made Dunoon what it is today.
By drawing attention to this seaboard location, Ewing established Dunoon as a prime location for wealthy Scots to build their villas--and, by extension, an ideal location for the less wealthy to spend their holidays.
Dunoon is, above all else, a resort village. Visitors seeking accommodations will find extensive options ranging from simple hotels and campgrounds to elaborate bed and breakfasts. There is a solution for every budget.
While some locations are open only during the busy summer tourist season, many are open year-round. Tourists hoping for specific accommodations should verify the status of their destination before they make concrete plans.
