Tighnabruaich

A pretty resort village, located on the western shores of the Kyle of Bute, Tighnabruaich was developed during the 19th century with pier and marina villas.The route down to Tighnabruaich is considered one of the most beautiful parts of Argyll. The A8003 runs down the west side of Loch Riddon and there are few lovelier sights than the view from this road across the Kyles of Bute, the narrow straits that separate Cowal from the island of Bute.

Around 80 miles from Glasgow by road, Tighnabruaich is  a perfect tranquil holiday spot for sailors, tourists and fishermen alike. Touted as one of the most scenic drives in Scotland, a drive along the  narrow roads chisled out the hill side offers some of the best great views  of the Bute, Arran and the Ayrshire coasts and the hills. Tighnabruiach is a cruise destination, quite popular for sailing and surfing.Tighnabruaich gets busy in the summer with visitors who come here to enjoy some of the best sailing on the west coast. Tighnabruaich  has many interesting walking trails including the well acclaimed Cowal Way which is a 47 mile walk with 6 separate sections that offer the best views around. The nine hole golf course is another attraction. Tighnabruaich is famous for trout and salmon fishing and has the second best salmon river in Scotland.

Tighnabruaich offers something special for everyone all round the year. The outdoor options include sailing, canoeing, and kayaking among others. Golfers will find the 9–hole course of the Kyle of Bute, set in the hills, a delightful option indeed. Trout fishing and trekking are the other popular actitivities in this village that are not to be missed.If you are ready for a rough game,  try a hand at the unique village game of shinty, which is somewhat like a game of freestyle hockey!

Though it is a popular tourist resort, it remains pleasantly uncrowded and makes a perfect pick for a tranquil holiday. Much of the accommodation is booked up by those enrolled at the Tighnabruaich Sailing School, Tel. +44 (0) 1700 811717, which offers dinghy sailing and windsurfing courses at all levels. There is a bank in the village and buses leave from here to Portavadie (1-3 times daily; 25 minutes), Colintraive (see below) and Rothesay (1-2 times daily Monday-Thursday; one hour).

Phone code: +44 (0) 1700

South of Tighnabruaich & Portavadie

A few miles southwest of Kames, is Portavadie, on the west coast of Cowal. A CalMac car and passenger ferry sails from here to Tarbert, on the Kintyre Peninsula, saving a lot of time if you're heading for the islands of Islay, Jura or Colonsay. The ferry to Tarbert makes the 25-minute crossing every hour daily from 0800 till 1915. The one way trip costs £3.15 per passenger and £13.35 per car.

About 10 miles further up the deserted west coast of Cowal is Otter ferry. There used to be a ferry link from here to Lochgilphead, but not for the small, amphibious mammals. It gets its name from the gravel bank that juts out into Loch Fyne (An Oitir means gravel bank in Gaelic). It's still worth stopping here, if only for the excellent oyster bar and pub, The Oystercatcher, Tel. 01700-821229, which overlooks the lovely sandy beach.