"Community of Tighnabruaich and Kames Area of the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll"    

19 May, 2003

Tighnabruaich - achieved the "Best Village Award 2001", a title given by FX Tourism  in conjunction with the Trossachs Tourist Board for Argyll, the Islands, Loch Lomond, Stirling.  A handsome plaque was awarded to the village in November 2001 and is resplendent in the Village Hall.

Information is provided here for the visitor about the area of the Kyles of Bute, Tighnabruaich, Kames, Dunoon and the Cowal in Argyll.     Many clubs and facilities such as accommodations and hotels provide for all tastes including live theatre, curling, fishing, golf, sailing club and shinty which is a favourite local sport.    Sailing in the area is a particular attraction.  There are splendid photos of the "Tall Ships" leaving the River Clyde at  Greenock in August 1999.  Tighnabruaich boasts a notable old pier used by the Waverley and renovation is being actively supported by the Tighnabruaich Pier Association and some information pages are included plus details of the book by Ian McCrorie.  In addition,  Abbeyfield Kyles of Bute Society  a Scottish charity, is located in Kames by Tighnabruaich and provides very comfortable retirement accommodation  where older people find care in  a custom designed house for 9 residents and no stairs!   This Abbeyfield is unique in Scotland thanks to splendid support from some local helpers and has its own attractive shop in Tighnabruaich.  

Enjoy your visit to the  "Kyles of Bute Community On Line"  from the Tighnabruaich,  Kames and Dunoon area in the Cowal Peninsula of Argyll’s west coast.     The pages which follow will provide information about this beautiful part of  the Scottish Highlands for those not familiar from previous visits.  This mountainous but sheltered region enjoys the benefits of the Gulf Stream which provides for a mild climate. The Cowal is an area of Scotland often overlooked by the visitor who is in haste to reach the known ‘Highlands and Islands’. Travel to the Cowal by road or sea ferries involves a detour through countryside quite spectacular and rugged but with a beauty often unmatched elsewhere. It is an historic area with numerous archaeological sites and museums readily accessible to the visitor. The climate benefits from the Gulf Stream with relatively mild winters; imagine tropical gardens as far north as Anchorage in Alaska. Palm trees grow well but no coconuts or dates and the wild rhododendrons which grow in profusion do particularly well and add to the natural beauty throughout the region. See Benmore Gardens to the left.  There are times when it is wet, but others when the weather is just perfect for whatever pursuit, sailing, fishing, golf or watching a Shinty game (Shinty, sometimes referred to as Hockey without rules). Good eating and accommodation are readily available in the area. 

The countryside is outstandingly beautiful and spectacular as can be seen below right at the Kyles of Bute from one of many local viewpoints.  Although most travellers to Scotland pass by the area, those who venture here find the Cowal unspoiled and return time and again.  This part of Argyll contains a large section of the National Park right through to Loch Lomond. A delightful area for mariners are the waters and interesting stopovers, many hotels providing free and sheltered moorings, even showers.

Those confined to the land will equally find pleasure in the varied countryside decorated with plentiful deciduous trees (instead of firs), lochs, sea lochs and rivers. Golf is readily available as is good fishing. For the more adventurous, the mountains and hills have their own attractions. Roads are uncrowded and the pace of life is very comfortable!                             

                                                                "Sketch Map of Cowal"

                    Tighnabruaich map link to large scale map showing places described and the area.

Access to the area is easy with uncrowded roads, many ferry connections offering alternative routes and ease of touring. The large scale map above indicates routes available in the area and very large scale (1:25,000 or 2 1/2ins to 1 mile) British Ordnance Survey  "Pathfinder" edition maps provide much more detail including ancient sites,  monuments and places of interest.  Some roads are single track with passing places and require care.  If traveling on such single roads, please consider others; do not use the passing places for picnics, and allow other and faster traffic to pass.  Remember the Country and Highway Code and it is still courteous on hills to give way to ascending traffic, similarly, give way at passing places to faster traffic wishing to overtake

Splendid "first view" from the road into Tighnabruaich & Kames and on to Portavadie:

(on a clear day, one of the most spectacular and enchanting drives in the world)

Due to changes which are made from time to time and outside the control of the webmaster, visitors should check with the source sponsor for specific details about events or activities.

                 "Isle of Arran seen from Tighnabruaich"   and  "Cherry Blossom in April at Tighnaglais"

Further information on Scotland "Scotland.org"

Latest Atlantic weather charts link

Enjoy your visit  .........  

 "Kyles of Bute Community" © 2003,  all rights reserved

(All the information given on this site is as supplied to the publisher and strenuous efforts have been made to ensure accuracy.  However, the publisher can accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions.)