- Home
- Places to go
- Argyll & The Isles
Argyll & The Isles
Combining stunning scenery and island paradises, Argyll & The Isles is located on the west coast of Scotland. Its home to 23 inhabited islands and is one of the best places in Scotland to see iconic wildlife including golden eagles, red deer and otters.
Things to do in Argyll & The Isles
Explore great attractions set amidst the stunning landscapes in Argyll & The Isles.
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.
Water adventures
Watersports are a specialism here so there are stacks of places to hire equipment, take lessons or book a guided tour.
Cycling
A cyclist's dream with natural terrain, cycling infrastructure and excellent public transport links.
Castles & Heritage
Home to 60 castles, fabulous forts and historic houses and dotted with chambered cairns and cup-and-ring marked rocks.
Wildlife
A true ‘nature’s paradise’ which is home to some incredible wildlife on land and at sea.
Kilmartin Glen
Discover historic and natural wonders in Kilmartin Glen.
Inspiration for Argyll & The Isles Breaks
Find suitable accommodation in Argyll & The Isles to suit your budget.
Places to stay
From cosy B&Bs and modern self-catering, to luxury lodges, adventurers’ hostels and plenty of camping and caravanning opportunities to enjoy, Argyll & The Isles offers a whole host of welcoming accommodation to choose from.
Tours, Routes & Trails
A walking or cycling trail or a driving route is a great way to explore Argyll & The Isles. Or book a guided tour and let the experts show you the hidden gems of this region.
Unique Experiences
See marine wildlife up close
See some of Scotland's best maritime life up close.
Eagle Island
Plan a trip to Mull to see these magnificent Birds of Prey in action.
Kilmartin Museum
Now reopen to the public, uncover 12,000 years of fascinating Scottish history.
Map of Argyll & The Isles
Explore Argyll & The Isles
Get friendly and helpful advice for your trip at our iCentres.
Loading
Javascript is needed to show this map.
Javascript is needed to show this map.
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, perfect for a Rail & Trail adventure across Argyll & The Isles.
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
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.
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.
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.
Places to Eat in Argyll & The Isles
Food & Drink
Enjoy a taste of Argyll & The Isles with these food & drink suggestions.
A tip from your local expert
The Isle of Bute Discovery Centre is the central hub for all your needs! With a cheery team to help you plan your visit to the island, some great retail and a cinema showing all the latest releases.
Hazel
VisitScotland
Find experiences
JavaScript needs to be enabled to see this product search form. You can turn this on in your browser settings.
Other things you might like
Scottish islands & island hopping
10 Hidden gems & things to do on the isles of Mull & Iona
7Days
Boat
Whisky and the west coast: 7-day sailing itinerary
Whisky distilleries in Scotland
Ayrshire & Arran
The Highlands
Loch Lomond
Perthshire
Airports & flights in Scotland
Getting around Scotland by ferry
Join our Newsletter Clan
Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.