The Cowal Peninsula is as beautiful as it is diverse, from the towering Munros of the north to the mellow scenery and sea lochs of the south. Stunning stretches of water characterise the area’s coastline. Paddle steamers used to bring throngs of Glaswegian holidaymakers ‘doon the watter’ to its shores.
The Scottish West Coast is known for its rugged and scenic views. On Cowal peninsula you will find besides this ruggedness, also small-scale landscapes, charming seaside views, beautiful islands, Victorian homes and a sheltered coast.
The Cowal Peninsula is as beautiful as it is diverse, from the towering Munros of the north to the mellow scenery and sea lochs of the south. Stunning stretches of water characterize the area’s coastline. Paddle steamers used to bring throngs of Glaswegian holidaymakers ‘doon the watter’ to its shores.
Today you will find plenty of opportunity for outdoor adventures, including kayaking, sailing, quad biking, hiking and stunning views. Cowal’s major town, Dunoon, hosts the Cowal Highland Gathering, the biggest Highland Games in the UK and Europe that includes events such as the World Highland Dancing Championships. Dunoon is also home to the outstanding Benmore Botanic Gardens.
Head south west and you’ll come to Argyll’s Secret Coast, an undiscovered area of sparkling sea lochs and picturesque villages. This is world-class sailing country.
Ruel Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
The ‘Ruel Estuary’ Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) comprises the head of the tidal estuary at Loch
Riddon. The site is located approximately 4 kilometres south-east of the Clachan of Glendaruel on the Cowal
peninsula of Argyll and represents one of the best examples in the west of Scotland of the transition from
estuarine to terrestrial habitats.
The site is 341 ha in size and consists of salt marsh, floodplain, fen meadow and upland oak woodland.
Stronafian House and the majority of its land are part of the SSSI ‘Ruel Estuary’.
NSA - Kyles of Bute
The Kyles of Bute (Gaelic: Na Caoil Bhòdach) is a narrow sea channel that separates the northern end of the
Isle of Bute from the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, on the Scottish mainland. The narrowest strait is
only some 300 meters across and is spanned by the Calmac ferry from Rhubodach to Colintraive.
The near village Colintraive (Gaelic: Caol an t-Snàimh) was once the site where cattle were swum across the narrows to the Isle of Bute.
National Scenic Areas (NSAs) were designated in 1980 in recognition of their outstanding scenery. Along
with Scotland’s two National Parks, they represent our nation’s finest landscapes, and are equivalent to the
Areas of Outstanding Beauty found in the rest of the UK. These 40 National Scenic Areas (NSAs) in Scotland,
represent Scotland’s finest landscapes, of importance for both their natural and cultural heritage.
Argyll's Secret Coast - A cracking coastal route
Argyll’s Secret Coast is tucked away in a small corner of Argyll’s Cowal peninsula on the west coast of Scotland. Bordered by Loch Fyne and the Kyles of Bute, it’s an area of stunning natural beauty, with hills, glens, rugged coastlines, white beaches, clear waters and ancient forests.
Discover sparkling sea lochs, romantic ruins, ancient forests and friendly communities. This coastal route takes you though some of the most stunning parts of Argyll’s Secret Coast, a magical undiscovered corner of Cowal. Look out for local wildlife, including red squirrels, birds of prey, deer and otter, as you explore the area. You’ll also find plenty of great places to eat and drink along the way.
Want to learn more? See what the telegraph wrote about this beautiful piece of nature.
Woodland creation and creation of a food forest
Near the house there is in 2019 an area of approximately 19 hectares planted with broadleaves and pine trees. The main tree species will be a mosaic of Oak, Silver Birch, Sycamore, Sweet Chestnut, Lime, Scots Pine, Norway Spruce, but will also include targeted plantings of native broadleaves such as Bird Cherry, Wild Cherry, Willow, Alder, Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Downy Birch. The site is protected with deer fences. The planting layout has been designed to fit the sensitivity of the local landscape and the adjacent native woodland.
The woodland was designed and planted by JDM Woodland Management.
A little bit of history
Argyll’s Secret Coast is tucked away in a small Stronafian House used to be part of the former South Hall Estate till 1913.
This estate which covered the whole of the peninsula has been broken up over the last century. In its original state, the estate was available for sale in its entirety, as indicated in the map from the 1913 brochure.
