Seen this notice board down the West Bay,Dunoon. Judging by these times I’ll always be a beginner,ha.
Interesting trail with stunning scenery.
Headed out to Glen Kinglas to test out my wee video camera. Sadly it rained for the 14 miles!!!
With an approximate total of 135 miles, the Cowal coast line offers plenty to explore.
Taking in Loch Fyne, Kyles of Bute, Loch Ruel,Loch Riddon, Loch Striven, Firth of Clyde, Holy Loch, Loch Long and Loch Goil with the ever changing scenery.
The route can be paddled either one section at a time or multiple sections. A moderate enjoyable paddle allowing time to explore and stop for breaks etc, not a mile munching time trial !
Each section starts/finishes close to a road so vehicle drop off and launch/up lift is easier.
If desired on multiple sections, wild camping, campsite camping, a bunk house, a bothy and even hotels can be found en route. Some village stops are available ,offering the chance to stock up on provisions. Please see below listings for Accommodation, Eateries, General Stores for supplies and Points of Interest. Most of these are where your kayak would hardly need to leave your sight.
Listings.
Section 1-2
-Cairndow Stagecoach Inn. Food, Accommodation. http://www.cairndowinn.com
-Creggans Inn. Food,Accommodation http://www.creggans-inn.co.uk
-Out of the Blue Bistro/Post office.
Food,general store, post office.
Section 2-3
-Lachlan Bay,Old Castle Lachlan. POI http://www.oldcastlelachlan.com
-Inver Cottage. Food http://inverrestaurant.co.uk
-Oyster Catcher, Otterferry. Food. Accommodation. http://www.theoystercatcher.co.uk
Section 3-4-5.
-Black Harbour. South of Otter Ferry. POI, Rocky Islands. Scenic.
-Eilean Buidhe. POI. Most Westerly part of Cowal.
-Portavadie Marina. Food Accommodation. Shops http://www.portavadie.com
-Ascog Bay. POI. Scenic.
-Kilbride Bay. POI. Scenic.
-Ardlamont Point. POI. Most southerly point in Cowal.
-Carry Farm, accommodation. Camping. http://www.carryfarm.co.uk
Section 5-6
-Kames Hotel. Food Accommodation
http://kames-hotel.com
-Duncan’s Stores. General store. Uphill from Kames Hotel. http://www.duncansvillagestore.co.uk
-Tighnabruaich, town. (RNLI slipway) access to…..
-Local Cafe. Food
-Spar. Grocery Store
-Various other outlets.
-Caladh Harbour. POI scenic
-Buttock Point,North Bute POI, Kayak stop.
-Burnt Islands,Kyles of Bute. POI. Scenic, tidal race!
-Colintraive Hotel. Food Accommodation. http://www.colintraivehotel.com
Section 6-7.
–Toward Sailing Club. POI. Kayak stop. http://www.towardsc.org.uk
-Toward Lighthouse. POI. Scenic.
Section 8-9.
-Innellan Slipway, North of Old Pier. Access to….
-Innellan Post Office and store.
-The Osbourne Hotel,Innellan. Food
-The Villagers Royal, Innellan. Food. http://villagers-royal.co.uk
-West Bay, Dunoon. Beach. Access to…..
-Cosy Corner,Food
-Rock Cafe,Food https://m.facebook.com/pages/Rock-Cafe-/128819720575851
-Coast Coffee. Food.
-Various Guest houses.
-Dunoon Town, Slipway at swimming pool. Access to…
-Town Centre. Shops
-Seasons Coffee shop. Food http://www.seasons.coffee
Section 9-10
-Kirn Beach,access to…..
-Kirn Variety Store, Groceries.
-Java Walk, Cafe
-Blacks the Bakers,Food.
-Other eateries.
-Slipway north of Western Ferries link span. Access to……
-Coffee Ahoy. Drinks. Snacks.
-Hunters Quay Hotel. Food , Accommodation http://www.huntersquayhotel.co.uk
-Royal Marine Hotel. Food, Accommodation. http://www.royalmarinehotel.co.uk
-Holy Loch Marina. Access to…..
-Various outlets within Marina including Holy Loch Cafe Shop. http://www.holylochmarina.co.uk
-Also access to Sandbank Post Office. Groceries. ( main rd).
-Ardentinny Hotel. Ardentinny. Food Accommodation. ( Closed for refurb).
Section 10-11.
-Caravan Shop,Drimsynie Estate. Near Drimsynie House. Concrete Bridge. General Store. Off Licence.
-Lochgoilhead Post Office. General Store.
-Goil Inn. Food ,Accommodation.
-Mark Cottage. Open Bothy (MBA). Opposite Glenfinart Depot. http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/bothy-details.asp?bothy_id=116
-Arrochar Hotel. Food Accommodation. http://www.bespokehotels.com/arrocharhotel
-Arrochar Village Shop. General Store.
-Arrochar Fish and Chips. Food
-Ben Arthur’s Bothy,Food. https://m.facebook.com/pages/Ben-Arthurs-Bothy/264888646788
A wee 6 mile cycle through Glen Massan and Garrachra Glen.
Didn’t get as far as intended due to the wind blown trees…..maybe next time !!! Left from the small car park beyond Stonefield Farm at the end of the surfaced road. An easy level cycle on forestry roads. Starting to harvest the trees at the top of the glen,wont be long till they’re planting again.
Plenty of scope for future camping ares 🙂
A stop on the way to car park was required to get a few quick pics of the waterfalls.
01/12/13 A trip out for a look at Mark Cottage Bothy.A bothy owned and maintained by the MBA.
We set off from Ardgartan on a 7 mile cycle to Mark Cottage. The return was the route reversed, giving a good 14 mile trail ….enough for a Sunday morning. In the clearances there are great views of Loch Long, both North and South. Also en route to the Bothy, there are numerous road side waterfalls.
The reason for the visit was prompted by further plans to visit the Bothy by kayaking from Ardentinny. Suitable landing points were found close to the bothy and there’s enough fallen/dead timber lying about for that all important fire.
A great bothy, the first ‘real’ bothy I’ve visited. Well laid out and kept clean by previous visitors and maintained by the MBA.
Planing to go back with kayak, but prior to that a wee winter sleep over could be on the cards. Either biking or walking, no matter what way, it’d be worth the journey. 🙂
Fuel: Fallen timber in the area.
Altitude : 12 mts
Bike friendly : 10/10
Having come up with the idea a night walk would be something different, the forecast for Saturday prompted an outing.
Destination set for Bishops Seat, a local hill walked many times in all conditions …… but never in the dark.
Setting off from the FCS Kilbride car park I was joined by Martin,Jamie and Andy. We headed off up the forestry road, past the new road till we came to the next corner. From here it was down to the burn where a crossing is required. There’s enough prominent stones and a fallen tree to aid the crossing, helped by the fact the burn was low. Once over the burn you continue on the trodden path keeping the burn on your right till you cross it again. An easier crossing than the previous one. From here follow the track till you join the forestry road where you take a sharp left and continue till you spot the roadside cairn.

First view over the second crossing.

View over Dunoon to Gourock and beyond from track/forestry road junction.
From here you leave the road heading up through the trees. Bit of a maze due to wind blow but there is some marker tape to help guide you to the clear fire break.
Once in the break, you follow it till you come to a small burn where you turn right. There is the remainder of a hardcore path which takes you to a wee bridge. Once across it’s out the trees and on to the open hill. A feint path leads the way to the summit,a gradual climb that not to harsh.

View from the Summit towards Glasgow.

Bishops Seat trig point and Plough
After a brief stop for pics (most never turned out due to misting of the lens due to the ‘fresh’ conditions!! ) and a drink it was time to head back. Returning to the forestry road in no time.

View on returning to forestry road
Back to the car park we went having really enjoyed our night walk. Best thing is we’ll need to go back and get the group summit shot !!!!!!
Cheers.
A few pics from a walk a while back. One of two crash sites at the back of Strachur.
It was a Grumman Martlet. Think it was also known as the Wildcat,crashed in 1940.
Took a wee drive up to Glenbranter with the family today. In between the showers we managed a wee walk.
Ok, not a hike, but with the wee one (18 months old) it was an expedition.
All routes well signposted, whether walking or biking.
A short walk and a longer carry let us enjoy the old classic ‘ chessy hunt’ . A few red squirrels spotted along with a wee froggy.
Cowal……the unofficial guide.
My wee blog on places I’ve visited in Cowal, sometimes out with.
With so much available in Cowal there’s no excuse not to Explore !!!
Thanks.