Welcome to our Argyll and Bute travel guide! Plan and book your perfect holiday with local tips, places to stay, things to do, holiday inspiration & destination info.
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The area of Argyll & Bute is in the west of Scotland and includes Oban, the seafood capital of Scotland. Oban is also known as the Gateway to the Isles as so you can easily do some island hopping too. The Isle of Mull is famous for it’s colourful harbour village of Tobermory and white-tailed sea eagles.
Seafood fans should also visit the famous Loch Fyne Oyster Bar. If you love a pint, you can pop into the Fyne Ales brewery. Whisky distilleries offer tours so you can find out more about how Scotland’s famous drink is made.
Other islands in the area include Coll, Tiree, Iona, Islay, Jura and Bute.On the mainland you can visit charming harbour towns such as Campbeltown on the Kintyre Peninsula or Rothesay Casle and Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute. Take a boat trip to learn more about Argyll’s amazing wildlife and see seals, dolphins and more.
With stunning coastline, beaches, lochs and mountains, Argyll & Bute has something for everyone. Book a coach tour holiday or a private guided day tour. Find self-catering holiday cottages, hotels, B&Bs, holiday parks and places to visit below.
The best time to visit depends on what you want to see and do.
If seeing the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) is your priority, winter is the best time to go. You will have more hours of darkness to enjoy the star-filled skies and, if you’re lucky, the lights.
Winter is also a less popular time of year so there will be less tourists.
May and June are good months for seeing breeding birds.
Want to see the incredible spectacle of the wild flowers on the machair in the summer? Plan your trip for July and August. You also have more chance of seeing whales and dolphins during the summer.
In the summer you will also find cultural events including local Highland Games, Gaelic singing festivals.
As with anywhere, it can be hard to get accommodation at short notice during the summer holidays. Scotland’s school holidays run from the start of July to mid-August.
As the nights start to draw in birds either migrating south or fleeing the approaching Arctic winter.
By coach
By rail
Cycling
Walking
You can hire a car from a local car hire company.
If you prefer to travel without a car or fancy a day off from driving, there are several options including public transport.
There is a public bus service
You can hire taxis on all the main islands. You might want to try:
If you love walking.
We hope these tips for visiting Argyll and Bute have inspired you to start planning your holiday. Also on our website, you can find holiday accommodation on the Outer Hebrides.
Ordnance Survey maps with free mobile download – various options are available for Argyll and Bute from Ordnance Survey and Amazon.
The best tips on what to do and see and where to go from the people who know best
Holiday Scottish Highlands & Islands
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