Kilbride Bay, Cowal Peninsula

Secret Corners of Scotland’s West Coast

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Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

7 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £1115 per person
Best time to go: April - October
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Kintyre Peninsula

Unwind in the tranquil Kintyre Peninsula, a true hidden gem. Here, you’ll find charming inns, picturesque hamlets, and scenic beaches and coves. Sample Kintyre’s rich whisky heritage at one of Campbeltown’s renowned distilleries.

Isle of Gigha

Nestled off the Kintyre coast, this tiny island is one of the most beautiful of the Inner Hebrides (the Norse name translates to ‘God’s island’). Explore tranquil beaches, dine on fresh seafood, and soak up the heartwarming spirit of this community-owned island.

Ancient Argyll

One of Scotland’s richest and most significant prehistoric landscapes, Kilmartin Glen offers countless chambered cairns, standing stones, and rock carvings. Don’t miss the excellent Kilmartin Museum for an introduction to the area’s fascinating history.

Exotic gardens

Blessed by the warming Gulf Stream, the west of Scotland is home to some truly spectacular gardens. Visit Arduaine, with its stunning view over the Sound of Jura, community-owned Achamore in the Isle of Gigha, and magnificent Benmore in the Cowal Peninsula.

Sublime seafood

Scotland’s west coast is a must-visit destination for seafood lovers. Our natural larder is bursting with flavour – fresh oysters, lobster, mussels, scallops, langoustines, crab, and smoked salmon.

Cowal Peninsula

Wonderfully off the beaten track, this serene peninsula offers a mouth-watering introduction to the western Highlands. Relax in picturesque fishing villages overlooking the Kyles of Bute and explore the dramatic woodland gorge at Puck’s Glen.

Uncover the Hidden Treasures of the Scottish Coast

This delightful itinerary has been lovingly crafted to guide you along some of Scotland’s most scenic and off-the-beaten-track coastal routes. Discover stunning islands, hidden beaches, and a land rich in ancient castles and history. Just pack your sense of adventure and hit the open road.

Begin your journey by driving westwards into the magical region of Argyll. Travel alongside Loch Fyne to the lovely lochside town of Inveraray, home to magnificent Inveraray Castle – the ancestral home of Clan Campbell.

Continue to the undiscovered Cowal Peninsula, a haven of peace and tranquillity. With quaint fishing villages and a gorgeous coastline, it’s impossible not to feel relaxed here. Wonderful walking opportunities are nearby, such as the otherworldly woodland gorge at Puck’s Glen and the waymarked Loch Lomond & Cowal Way. You could take a day trip to the nearby Isle of Bute to explore Mount Stuart, a Victorian neo-gothic mansion.

Hop on the ferry to Kintyre – one of our favourite corners of Scotland. This picturesque peninsula has a rich history and superb, empty beaches just waiting to be discovered. Visit Campbeltown, once a whisky hub and now undergoing a revival, and tour one of the town’s distilleries. We’ll arrange for you to visit the enchanting Isle of Gigha – one of the most beautiful Hebridean islands.

Travel north along the coastal road to Kilmartin Glen. Take some time to explore one of our most fascinating prehistoric landscapes, brimming with chambered cairns, standing stones, and ancient rock carvings.

From here, most visitors make a beeline to bustling Oban, missing out on this sublime corner of Scotland. Armed with our sightseeing suggestions, you’ll immerse yourself in the rich history and gorgeous landscapes nearby.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Arrive in the Cowal Peninsula

Journey west to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and onto the stunning coast of Argyll. Visit picturesque Inveraray and explore 18th-century Inveraray Castle, the home of the Duke of Argyll.

Travelling south from Inveraray, you’ll experience one of Scotland’s most beautiful roads, offering a stunning viewpoint as it climbs above the romantic Kyles of Bute. Your destination is the Cowal Peninsula, a captivating introduction to the Western Highlands.
Overnight – Cowal Peninsula

Day 2: Cowal sightseeing

Spend the day exploring charming villages nestled around bays adorned with colourful yachts. Be sure to visit Kilbride Bay, which offers breathtaking views of the Isle of Arran. Marvel at the rugged beauty of Loch Eck and wander through the dramatic Benmore Botanic Gardens.

A short ferry ride will take you to the Isle of Bute, where you can explore the historic Rothesay Castle, once a summer retreat for the Stuart kings, and the gothic splendour of Mount Stuart.
Overnight – Cowal Peninsula

Day 3: Cowal Peninsula to Kintyre

A short ferry crossing leads to the lively fishing village of Tarbert in Kintyre. Swept by the warm Gulf Stream and spotted with cosy inns and picturesque hamlets, the Mull of Kintyre has already been immortalised in song by Sir Paul McCartney and offers a glimpse of a gentle corner of Scotland steeped in history.

There are wonderful beaches and ancient castles on your doorstep.
Overnight – Kintyre

Day 4: Kintyre sightseeing

Explore the rugged west of Kintyre with its glorious beaches and crashing waves. In contrast, the east coast is home to heather-clad hills and sandy shores with constant panoramic views of Kilbrannan Sound and the mountains of Arran.

Campbeltown has a rich whisky heritage, while Saddell Abbey was the scene of Viking repulsions. The glorious beaches at Carradale and Machrihanish make for superb walks and wildlife watching.
Overnight – Kintyre

Day 5: Isle of Gigha sightseeing

Across the water is the peace and tranquillity of Gigha – ‘God’s Island’ – and a place of complete escape. Stunning panoramic views and white sandy beaches abound as you explore this beautiful, community-owned island. The splendid seasonal displays of rhododendrons at Achamore Gardens should not be missed, and the island’s history makes a fascinating discovery.
Overnight – Kintyre

Day 6: Kintyre to Ancient Argyll

Travel north along the delightful coastal road into the heart of Argyll. Once the centre of the ancient Gaelic kingdom of Dalriada, this spectacular region is steeped in history.

Take a short detour to the scenic village of Crinan, celebrated for its pretty canal and one of Scotland’s finest seafood restaurants. Nearby lies the wild Knapdale peninsula, boasting an expansive nature reserve and the Scottish Beaver Trail for wildlife enthusiasts.

Continuing north, you’ll enter historic Kilmartin Glen. This is one of Scotland’s most rich and significant prehistoric landscapes, offering countless chambered cairns, standing stones, and rock carvings. Visit Kilmartin Museum for an introduction to the area’s history, or climb the rocky outcrop of Dunadd. This small hill is historically significant for its crowning ceremonies of the kings of Dalriada.
Overnight – Ancient Argyll

Day 7: Ancient Argyll sightseeing

This is one of our favourite corners of Scotland, with sublime scenery and historic treasures. Stroll along the picturesque coast, explore one of our finest exotic gardens, or embark on a sightseeing boat tour. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, otters, dolphins, and golden eagles.
Overnight – Ancient Argyll

Day 8: Depart Ancient Argyll

After breakfast you will set off on your onward travel, armed with unforgettable memories from the secret corners of Scotland’s west coast.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 7 nights including traditional Scottish breakfast
Comprehensive information pack
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Map of Scotland with our recommended driving route
8 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
All ferry crossings (as per your itinerary)
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing, an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

Collision Damage Waiver
Super Damage Excess Waiver
Third Party Insurance
Theft Waiver
Tax

Economy

Vauxhall Corsa or similar

Good for 2 people
Maximum of 4 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

Good for 2 – 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Intermediate

Volkswagen Passat or similar

Good for up to 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
3 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Fullsize

VW Sharan or similar

Good for 5 people
Maximum of 7 passengers
3 – 4 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

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