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View of Dunoon and the River Clyde

Peter Jarvis

Dunoon

Just a short ferry away from Glasgow, enjoy a west coast escape to the Argyll town of Dunoon.

Dunoon at a glance

  • Activités et aventure:

    Cowal Way, walking & hiking, kayaking & paddleboarding, cycling & mountain biking 

  • Événements et festivals:

    Cowal Highland Gathering, World Highland Dancing Championships, CowalFest

  • Histoire et patrimoine:

    Dunoon Pier, Castle House Museum, Highland Mary statue, Victorian promenade 

  • Nature:

    Argyll Forest Park, Loch Eck, Benmore Botanic Garden, Holy Loch 

Map of Scotland

What to expect in Dunoon

Arriving in Dunoon, you'll discover a cheerful coastal town where attractive Victorian architecture looks onto some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery. Take a walk along the waterfront and historic pier, explore fascinating local stories at Castle House Museum, or take a short climb to the Highland Mary statue for unmissable views across the Firth of Clyde. Just beyond the town, adventure awaits in the ancient woodlands of Argyll Forest Park and the tranquil waters of Loch Eck. 

Oh! Bonnie Dunoon, sae heavenly fair, 
Where e'er I may wander my heart will be there, 
Wi' high heather hills keeping guard o'er the toon, 
Aye my thoughts will be yonder in Bonnie Dunoon.

Bonnie Dunoon, Pipe Major John McLellan, 1943

Highlights in Dunoon

From Victorian landmarks to waterside views and forest walks, you'll find plenty of reasons to extend your visit to Dunoon. 

Dunoon's maritime heritage 

Take a stroll along Dunoon Pier and waterfront promenade, where generations of visitors arrived "doon the watter" from Glasgow. Visit Castle House Museum to reveal stories of Victorian tourism and Highland Mary, whose statue overlooks the town on Castle Hill.  

Visit Castle House Museum 

Dunoon Pier

© 2017 Jeff Whitehill

Benmore Botanic Garden 

Just outside Dunoon, this amazing 120-acre garden is home to plant collections from across the globe. Feel the scale of the towering Giant Redwood Avenue, explore exotic Himalayan and Asian flowers, and enjoy some quality time in the garden.  

Enjoy a day at Benmore Botanic Garden

Benmore Botanic Garden

Adventures in Argyll Forest Park and Loch Eck 

Enter one of Scotland's most arresting landscapes, with many opportunities for walking, cycling, kayaking and wildlife spotting. From the shores of Loch Eck to the trails of the Cowal Way, try your favourite outdoor activity in an unforgettable setting. 

Discover Argyll Forest Park

Loch Eck, Argyll

What's on in Dunoon

Experience one of the world's largest Highland games and three exciting days of culture, music and tradition or join the walks at Cowalfest to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and fascinating wildlife of the area.

Cowal Highland Gathering

The largest and most prestigious Highland games in the world, it attracts competitors and spectators from across the world. 

Cowalfest

Enjoy three days of walks around the beautiful Cowal peninsula at one of Scotland's oldest walking festivals.

World Highland Dancing Championships

Admire the skill and speed as the best Highland dancers in the world compete for the Cowal Gold Medal.

See Dunoon through a new lens

Capture dramatic views across the Firth of Clyde from Dunoon's waterfront and photograph the trees and trails of Argyll Forest Park. 

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Trip ideas in Dunoon

Ready to start planning your Dunoon escape? Whether you fancy a scenic weekend break or want to explore a new loch or garden, these trip ideas are a great place to begin.  

A great-value break in Dunoon & Cowal 

You can experience Dunoon without stretching your budget. This trip idea combines attractions such as Dunoon Burgh Hall with coastal walks, wildlife spotting at Holy Loch Nature Reserve and visits to fascinating historic sites like the Kilmodan Stones.  

Plan your break on a budget

Things to do in Dunoon: the complete guide 

Stand beneath the 150-year-old Giant Redwood Avenue at Benmore Botanic Garden and discover the story of Highland Mary at the local museum. For extra buzz, time your visit with the Cowal Highland Gathering in August. 

Discover things to do in Dunoon

Walk, cycle and explore the Cowal Peninsula 

Follow sections of the Cowal Way, move slowly through peaceful forest trails and enjoy some of Scotland's finest outdoor scenery. Walkhighlands provide lots of options, from waterfront walks to longer adventures around lochs, woodlands and mountains.

Find routes and trails through the Cowal Peninsula

Boat tour of Gare Loch and Loch Long from Dunoon

© Sue Burton

Castle House Museum, Dunoon

Loch Restil; is a freshwater loch that lies in the pass between Glen Croe and Glen Kinglas on the Cowal peninsula, Argyll and Bute, West of Scotland.

Loch Restil

© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Le jardin botanique de Benmore, Argyll

© Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh / Sybil Balwin

Plan your trip

Getting to Dunoon

Bus & car

Coach and local bus services connect Dunoon with Glasgow and destinations throughout Argyll. Many services coordinate with ferry crossings, making it easy to travel without a car.  

Bus travel in Argyll 

Ferry

Regular passenger and vehicle ferry services connect Gourock and Dunoon, with crossings taking around 20-25 minutes across the Firth of Clyde. The journey offers fantastic coastal views. 

Gourock – Dunoon ferry 

Voiture

Dunoon can be reached by road via the A83 and A815, passing through some of Argyll's most scenic landscapes. This is a great option if you plan to explore more of the Cowal Peninsula during your stay. 

Accessibility

For independent accessibility reviews and visitor feedback, visit Euan's Guide, which includes listings and reviews for attractions and venues in the area, including Dunoon Ferry Terminal.  

Euan's Guide 

Dunoon Ferry Terminal - Euan's Guide  

Explore nearby

Discover more of the wild beauty of Argyll & Bute, visit the buzzing city of Glasgow or extend your trip for a journey into the Scottish Highlands.

Argyll & Bute

Explore Scotland’s wild west coast and uncover its world-famous whisky heritage and rugged landscapes.

Glasgow

Big-hearted, bold, and bursting with character, there’s an unmistakable energy to Glasgow.

The Scottish Highlands

Green valleys, vibrant culture, towering mountains, historic castles and peaceful lochs: the Highlands is the Scotland of your imagination.

FAQs

When is the best time to visit Dunoon? 

April to September is a great time to visit Dunoon to make the most of the outdoor activities on offer, though it’s a destination worth visiting all year round.

Spring (March–May): Admire the colourful displays at Benmore Botanic Garden and go for long walks on the coast.

Summer (June–August): Go cycling or kayaking and experience the spectacular Cowal Highland Gathering held over the last weekend in August.

Autumn (September–November): Enjoy autumnal woodland colours in Argyll Forest Park and keep an eye out for local wildlife.

Winter (December–February): The winter months offer peaceful coastal scenery and seasonal events as well as sheltered walks among the trees of Glenbranter Forest.

How long should I stay?

A weekend may be enough time to explore Dunoon's waterfront, heritage attractions and nearby beauty spots. But stay longer and you'll have time to discover Loch Eck, Benmore Botanic Garden, Cowal's Secret Coast and more of the stunning peninsula. 

Where can I stay? 

Choose from seafront hotels, cosy guest houses, self-catering cottages, holiday parks, lodges and glamping accommodation across Dunoon and the wider Cowal Peninsula.  

Stay in Argyll & the Isles

Do I need to book accommodation in advance? 

Booking ahead is recommended during summer and around major events, particularly the Cowal Highland Gathering, when accommodation across Dunoon and Cowal can be very busy. 

Do I need a car? 

Not necessarily. Dunoon itself is easy to explore on foot, and public transport links many of the area's attractions. However, a car gives you greater flexibility to discover remote beaches, hidden villages and scenic corners of the Cowal Peninsula at your own pace.

What is Dunoon best known for? 

Dunoon is probably best known for the Cowal Highland Gathering, one of the world's largest Highland games and home to the World Highland Dancing Championships. The town is also renowned for its Victorian seaside heritage and spectacular location on the Firth of Clyde. 

Is Dunoon good for outdoor activities? 

Absolutely. Walking, cycling, kayaking, paddleboarding, wildlife watching and forest adventures are all popular across Cowal. The area is home to the Cowal Way, Argyll Forest Park, Loch Eck and countless scenic coastal and woodland walking routes.  

Is Dunoon good for families? 

Yes. Families can enjoy lots of different activities in Dunoon and the surrounding area. These include gardens, beaches, museums, wildlife spotting, forest walks and a packed calendar of events throughout the year. Check out this activity packed itinerary from Wild About Argyll: 

4 Day Family Break in Dunoon & Cowal Itinerary  

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