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Image: Lower Killeyan
Argyll & The Isles
Argyll & The Isles is located on the west coast of Scotland and is home to 23 inhabited islands. Its combination of stunning scenery and beach paradises makes it an ideal escape to reconnect with nature. It's also one of the best places in Scotland to see iconic wildlife including golden eagles, red deer and otters.
Great things to do in Argyll & The Isles
Explore Argyll's landscapes and historic attractions or plan an adventure on the water.
Wild About Argyll: things to see & do
Explore Scotland's Adventure Coast and find a wealth of things to see & do.
Castles and heritage
Home to 60 castles, fabulous forts and historic houses, and dotted with chambered cairns and cup-and-ring marked rocks.
10 Hidden gems & things to do on the isles of Mull & Iona
Plan your adventure to Mull & Iona with our list of hidden gems and authentic experiences to uncover the real heart of these islands.
Spa and wellness
The inspiring landscapes of Argyll & The Isles offer plenty of opportunity to relax, detox and re-engage with nature.
Isle of Islay
The island of Islay sits off the west coast of Scotland. It's known for it's many whisky distilleries.
Wildlife
A true ‘nature’s paradise’ which is home to some incredible wildlife on land and at sea.
Top days out ideas
Whether you want unforgettable wildlife experiences or you love ancient stone circles, look out for exciting experiences across Argyll & The Isles.
Water adventures
Watersports are a specialism here so there are stacks of places to hire equipment, take lessons or book a guided tour.
Kilmartin Glen
Discover historic and natural wonders in Kilmartin Glen.
Eagle Island
Plan a trip to Mull to see these magnificent birds of prey in action.
Oban
Discover the town of Oban with holiday ideas, accommodation, travel information and maps, insider tips and fantastic things to see and do.
Isle of Jura
Follow in the footsteps of George Orwell and find whisky, magnificent mountains and splendid tranquillity on this island off Scotland's west coast.
Argyll Forest Park
You will love a trip to Argyll Forest Park, with its rugged scenery, waterfalls and lochs.
Glorious gardens of Argyll & Bute
Explore 20 wonderful gardens across mainland Argyll and the beautiful islands of Bute, Gigha and Seil.
Basking Shark Scotland
Get up close to some of Scotland’s most incredible marine wildlife in the waters around Oban.
Inspiring routes, trails & itineraries
A walking trail, cycling trail or driving route is a great way to explore Argyll & The Isles.
The Caledonia Way
© Sustrans / Andy McCandlish
Follow a route
Check out these route ideas or book a guided tour and let the experts show you the hidden gems of this region.
See what's on in Argyll & The Isles
Find something exciting to attend while you're visiting Argyll & The Isles.
Tiree Wave Classic Windsurfing Competition, The Isle Of Tiree
© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins
Events
Argyll & The Isles has a huge variety of events to keep you entertained, from family events to world-renowned surfing and music festivals.
How to travel to and around Argyll & The Isles
Getting to
Train
Catch the train from Glasgow Central or Glasgow Queen Street to start your adventure in Argyll & The Isles. If you want to explore more of Scotland’s islands, you can book a Rail and Sail ticket.
For keen outdoor enthusiasts, hop on the ScotRail Highland Explorer with your bike and backpack. The carriages on the Glasgow Queen Street to Oban line are designated for carrying bikes and large sporting equipment.
Ferry
You can reach the regions’ many islands by ferry – CalMac Ferries, Western Ferries, Kintyre Express and local ferries all operate services that cater for passengers, cars and other vehicles too.
You can also catch the ferry from the following ports:
- Gourock (near Glasgow) - Dunoon
- Wemyss Bay (near Glasgow) - Isle of Bute
- Isle of Arran - Claonaig
Flying
Glasgow Airport is the closest airport for this region. You can fly from there to Campbeltown, Tiree and Islay.
Getting around
Walking
Explore with a variety of walking trails ranging from easy family strolls to wild hikes up rugged mountain summits.
Cycling
Get on your bike and pedal to your heart’s content with the region’s cycling routes.
Bus and coach
Why not venture around the island by bus or coach? West Coast Motors provides services across the region, including Campbeltown, Oban, Mull, and Isle of Bute. West Coast Tours also offers day trips on some of the islands.
Vehicle hire
You can hire a car from Enterprise Rent-a-Car at Glasgow or Edinburgh Airport. There are also several services on some of the islands too.
The Pierhouse Hotel
© The Pierhouse / James Anderson
Places to stay in Argyll & The Isles
From cosy B&Bs and modern self-catering, to luxury lodges, adventurers’ hostels and plenty of camping and caravanning opportunities to enjoy, this region offers a whole host of welcoming accommodation to choose from.
Freshly caught lobsters at Oban Youth Hostel
© SYHA / Aildh Beaton
Places to eat in Argyll & The Isles
Argyll & The Isles' coastal location and rich landscapes make it an incredible place to try some of Scotland's freshest local produce. From seafood and fine dining to savouring a wee dram in one of the famous distilleries in the region - the local food scene is simply delightful.
ScotRail train near Ben Cruachan
© Scotrail / Tony Hardley
Find information on accessible trips
Enjoy a comfortable holiday in Argyll & The Isles with these accessibility tips.
Explore by area
Discover the wild beauty of Argyll and the Isles, one unique destination at a time.
Isle of Mull
This large Inner Hebridean island is full of many incredible possibilities, whether you are going for a day trip or staying a fortnight.
Isle of Bute
Bute is perhaps the most accessible of Argyll’s islands. With its balmy climate, it's been a popular holiday spot for well over a century.
Coll
Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the sandy beaches and rich wildlife on the Isle of Coll.
Isle of Tiree
Famed for its popular surfing location and hosting the BWA Tiree Wave Classic each year, it's a great spot for the watersport enthusiasts.
Other things you might like
Scottish Island Adventures podcast - Bute
Scottish islands & island hopping
Whisky distilleries in Scotland
Ayrshire & Arran
The Scottish Highlands
Loch Lomond
Getting around Scotland by ferry
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