Heart of Argyll

Welcome to the Heart of Argyll, with our outstanding national nature reserves, abundant wildlife, prehistoric landscape, stunning coastline, pristine marine environment, West Coast sunsets and dark skies, we have it all.

Stretching from the picturesque fishing village of Tarbert, Loch Fyne in the south to Loch Craignish in the north, over to Knapdale and Crinan in the west, across to Inveraray and Loch Awe in the east; with Kilmartin Glen in its midst, the Heart of Argyll boasts some of the most beautiful scenery and precious, rare habitats in Europe.

Historic Kilmartin Glen has the most important concentration of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in mainland Scotland, including some of the earliest animal carvings. At least 800 ancient monuments, of which 150 are prehistoric, lie within six miles of Kilmartin village.

Take time to explore the smaller roads and tracks that meander through our rugged natural landscape and deliver you to stunning castles, abandoned settlements, secret beaches, fishing villages, our native woodlands and temperate rainforest and “Britain’s most beautiful short cut”, the Crinan Canal.

Wildlife Boat trips take you from Tarbert Harbour into beautiful Loch Fyne or from Crinan Harbour and Seil Island to visit the world-famous Corryvreckan Whirlpool. If that is not special enough, the sheer diversity of wildlife the area has to offer and breathtaking coastal scenery will overwhelm your senses.

A magical wildlife experience can be had at the Argyll Beaver Centre at Barrandaimh, the home of the Scottish beavers; Alternatively take a guided walk into Scotland’s rainforest, learn to forage sustainably or explore our pristine waters with a qualified open water swim coach and snorkel guide.

Unique visitor experiences also include Auchindrain Highland farm township museum, Inveraray Jail and the stunning Himalayan gardens at Crarae.

Visit www.heartofargyll.com or scan our QR code to access our free guidebook and unlock the secrets of a welcoming place to stay, fabulous food and amazing things to do and see. Whether you intend to explore by car, by bike, to sail, kayak, swim or just to wander, there is an adventure waiting. A week is not long enough!

For more information visit www.heartofargyll.com

Knapdale Beavers www.argyllbeavercentre.co.uk

Visit the Beaver and Wildlife Centre at Barrandaimh – home of the Scottish Beavers. Explore the habitat of these amazing ecoengineers and learn about the animals and plants that benefit from their activities.

Crarae Gardens www.nts.org.uk

These Himalayan gardens extend either side of a river gorge above Loch Fyne. Mature rhododendrons, magnolias and camelias, and immense trees from around the globe are among the treats on show.

Kilmartin Glen www.kilmartin.org

The finest prehistoric rock art in Scotland, standing stones, stone circles and burial cairns. Kilmartin Museum offers free guided walks each Wednesday afternoon from Kilmartin Green.

Coasts and Waters www.heartofargyll.com

Enjoy our myriad coastal paths, coves and beaches. You can take an expert guided walk or boat trip that includes a secret destination for wild swimming to discover the magic of the Heart of Argyll above and below our pristine waters.

Exceptional Local Ingredients

The freshest of seafood is one of the highlights of the produce offering from our fabulous restaurants and independent food retailers. We also excel at coffee and cake and light bites, including vegan and gluten-free options in our cafes and coffee stops.

www.heartofargyll.com