News
5% early booking discount with About Argyll Walking Holidays
2012 brings a new programme of guided and self-guided highlands and islands walking holidays with About Argyll Walking Holidays and if you book your walking holiday before 1st February 2012, you will get 5% discount. At About Argyll Walking Holidays they spend time and care in the field to plan and prepare each holiday so that they are confident of offering each guest an out-of-the-way experience worthy of the tradition of John Muir's "natural beauty hunger". The new programme, takes inquisitive clients off the beaten track in ways and places not readily discovered by unassisted visitors, however curious.
The following holidays are based in Cowal: Guided: Discovering South-Argyll and Self-guided: Across Cowal and The Cowal Way About Argyll Walking Holidays, as the name suggests, started in Argyll in Scotland. Since 1995 it has run high-quality, essentially personal walking tours, building up a reputation for care and quality. Deliberately small-scale, it has created a community of its client group, many of whom quickly become friends. Vist the website for full details.
Filming at Ardkinlgas Estate in the North of Cowal
Another small shoot held recently at Ardkinglas was "Death in a nut". An intriguing story, the title says it all. It was produced by DigiCult who work with the UK Film Council, BBC Scotland and Creative Scotland, Screen Hi and Glasgow Film Festival, The company has established itself as one of the longest running and most successful independent talent development organizations in UK film, producing 13 live action, animation and documentary projects with emerging talent in the last three years alone
Creggans Inn Hotel in Strachur have a Christmas Dinner Offer with a difference
Make Christmas Dinner EASY with a delicious meal prepared by the award winning Creggans Inn Kitchen. Book in advance and collect your dinner fully prepared ready for Christmas Day. Full details on: http://goo.gl/lCVja
Paul Merton features Cowal on his new TV series.
Paul Merton, of Have I Got News For You fame, is launching a new six-part travel series to be shown on Channel 5 later in October. 'Paul Merton's Great Escapes' takes him to six global destinations - and Scotland is one of them. Cowal Marketing Group member Venison Insight hosted Paul during the summer for a full day of their simulated deer stalking experience filmed in the hills above Loch Striven. Paul also enjoyed a venison BBQ on the shores of the loch. After travelling to places such as India and China for previous travel shows it seems that Paul is now taking a look at holiday destinations closer to home. We are delighted he chose to feature the unique deer hunting day out that Venison Insight offers as well as enjoying a day in beautiful Argyll.
Filming going on at Ardkinglas Estate.
A short film called ‘Betrayal' written and directed by Zak Hanif has been shooting for a week in a cottage on the Ardkinglas Estate overlooking Loch Fyne in the north of Cowal. The 14 strong crew from Napier Screen Academy, Blue Iris Films and the wider film industry have also been staying on the estate. The art department came in a few days earlier and redesigned the interior of acottage to make it look more fitting for the main character.
The film is about a father, played by Matthew Zajac and son, Ewan Macdonald sharing some devastating news and reacting in very differing ways. It will be doing the festival circuits from October onwards so watch this space. Follow www.blueirisfilms.co.uk for updates and further information.
News from Gallimaufry, AKA Blairmore Gallery.
The summer is disappearing fast, but there remain a lot of visitors and locals visiting us.We will continue to open 7 days a week until mid December, the only exception being Cowal Games weekend when we closed for 2 days; from 4pm on Friday 26th August, until 11am on Monday 29th August.
Gifts & Crafts; we have a wide variety of good quality gifts. Local crafters from Dunoon, Ardentinny, Hunters Quay, and Kirn, amongst other areas, provide us with items to offer to the public.In addition we look for the best of items from around Argyll and further afield to compliment the ranges.We are please to stock Linda McDonald designer jewellery, made near Loch Lomond, and currently on offer at 25%off.
Fairtrade Gifts; we support Fairtrade, and we spend a lot of time sourcing interesting gifts.We are members of BAFTS (the British Association for Fairtrade Shops), and house Dunoons Fairtrade web pages on our website.Buy a Fairtrade gift and know that the producers get a fair deal.
Art; We have the space to have a wonderful range of prints, plus lots of art on the wall. We select paintings to display to provide an interesting range of styles and subjects, for our customers to appreciate and buy. We offer our layaway system, whereby a picture is red dotted, and then paid off over an agreed amount of time...why not treat yourself or a loved one to agift that will adorn your walls and give you pleasure for years to come.
Exhibition;Pam Glennie artwork now on show at the gallery.We are pleased to have a good relationship with Pam, and are the only gallery in Argyll to show her work.The following paragraph gives a little background to thid prize winning artist. All the work is available to see on line at www.blairmoregallery.com.
"Born in Ayrshire, I attended Glasgow School of Art 1982-1985 and graduated with a Degree in Design. After selection by the Design Council, London, I exhibited at international design events and then went on to work as a freelance designer selling internationally. I gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in 1992, and taught for a number of years progressing to painting full time. I work mainly in pastels and acrylic in an expressive and painterly style allowing my distinctive ‘floating' colour palette to emerge." Pam
Coffeeshop; still great value, simple good quality light meals, tasty scones and the best Fairtrade coffee.
Hope to see you soon!
Local Radio comes to Cowal
June 17th saw the first live broadcast of a brand new local internet radio based in Dunoon. AIR Scotland will be broadcasting, mainly on the weekends, from their base in the Music Shack. If you are a fan of local radio, if you are a fan of Dunoon and Cowal, now, no matter where you are in the world, you can listen in on the internet. Local radio is great fun. It gives a real flvour of what is going on. Everyone here at VisitCowal wishes the presenters Bobby B Good, Cuddles with Kim, Arthur, Jodie and Treble Bass and the whole AIR Scotland team every success in this new and exciting venture. Tune in on www.airscotland.org
News from the Ardkinglas Estate.
Ardkinglas Estate has joined social networking! You can now keep up to date with all the events, pictures and video links on Facebook and Twitter. We look forward to seeing you online!
News from the Blairmore Gallery
Our print selection expands. We are pleased to stock prints by renowned Scottish Artist Pam Carter, Only £125 each. We also exhibit originals up to £4000.
Send an e card to a friend or loved one. Some of Argyll's finest artists have agreed to support this free service by supplying images of original work. Visit http://www.blairmoregallery.com/
The Tighnabruaich Gallery launches their new website.
The Tighnabruaich Gallery is pleased to anounce the launch of their new website. This is the place to check for the latest news on upcoming exhibitions as well as learn more about their featured artists. The gallery lies in the heart of Tighnabruaich backing on to the beautiful Kyles of Bute, just one and a half hours west of Glasgow. They specialise in contemporary Scottish Artists and host a series of exhibitions throughout the year so the walls are constantly changing. Visit the new website on: The Tighnabruaich Gallery.
'Hold-up 'in the glen...
Film directors know a thing or two about impressive scenery and eye-catching locations. Turning off the Rest-and-be-Thankful, in the North of Cowal, on the approach to Lochgoilhead last night, cars were pulled over by the police to allow for ‘filming taking place'. The well known directors Ken Loach was shooting a scene in his new Scottish movie The Angels' Share. More Ken Loach info on the new film available on: http://goo.gl/UMmS9 You'll have to wait until 2012 to see the movie, but you don't have to wait to see this spectacular access route to Loch Goil. Come and stay with us on http://www.lochgoilheadholidays.com OK, that's the commercial over. Other filming hold ups on the glen road have included Jeremy Clarkson for Top Gear, Sir Jackie Stewart filming a scene in an autobiography TV documentary and commentating that he always comes to the Rest-and-be-Thankful when he is ‘home' in Scotland to be inspired by the view. The Rest was also included in the opening sequence for the long running series Take the High Road.
News from the Tree Shop at the head of Loch Fyne
This Spring the Tree Shop is celebrating its 21st birthday! So, as we are all grown up,we have finally moved with the times and launched our online shop. Accessible from the Tree Shop website, it is easy to use and is attracting orders from all over the UK. In addition, we are now on Facebook and Twitter, have a new regular blog that details all that is happening at the shop. We are also compiling a Flickr site for all images of the shop, plants and the outstandingly beautiful area that we are located in. A new look
website is planned for late Spring and we are in the process of re-branding our stationery and signage.
We have also introduced our Summer menu for the café, which is proving extremely popular, especially the home-made soups and cakes!
The Tree Shop www.thetreeshop.net Tel 01499 600 263
Benmore Botanic Garden now has its own Facebook page! Keep up to date with what's in flower and unique behind the scenes updates at this magnificent mountainside garden. Visit Facebook.
News from Tighnabruaich on this years sightseeing and angling boat tripsThe converted fishing boat MORAG is launching in early April, after her winter refit ready to start her season of carrying visitors around the Kyles of Bute for sightseeing and angling trips. Carrying up to 10 passengers trips are usually 1 or 2 hours long and give guests the opportunity to see the spectacular scenery as well as the plentiful wild life including seals and porpoises. For more information go to www.dcmarineboattrips.co.uk/ or contact Donald on 01700811538 or 07799661493.
Aqua aerobics come to the Drimsynie pool in Lochgilhead
Aqua aerobics exercises classes will be starting at Drimsynie Leisure Centre on Thursday 7 April at 10am and Monday 11 April at 7pm. They will continue on a weekly basis same time and day. Register at the leisure reception. The class is £3 in addition to the normal pool entry.
Deerstalking and Hunting - two new family packages announced.
Insight - a company based in Cowal offering Deerstalking and Hunting experiences, has just added two NEW packages for 2011. Designed for families and groups of friends, the Wildlife Safari and Taster Experience packages are ideal for getting a taste of what a day on the hills can be like. Educational and fun. View their page.
Across Cowal self-guided walk.
For 2011, About Argyll Walking Holidays has designed an independent, self-guided itinerary with you in mind. Tricky forests? Boulders and cliffs? Rivers in the way? Horrible boggy bits? Cowal has them all as you'd expect, but they won't bother you in the slightest. By careful selection of good paths, quiet forest tracks and unfrequented lanes About Argyll has created and clearly described a five-day route Across Cowal that avoids difficulty underfoot, ensures ease of navigation and still leaves you the joy of discovering the best that Cowal has to offer. And that best is magnificent. More details at: www.aboutargyll.co.uk/pages/acrosscowal.htm
Blairmore Gallery is back to 7 day opening ready for the season.
Featuring lots of new art, craft, and gifts. We are especially pleased to exhibit the works of some of the best Scottish Artists including Pam Carter, Davy Brown, Deborah Phillips, John Wetton Brown, and Jolomo Award winner Keith salmon.In addition we have the best of Argyll art with original oils and framed prints from David Morrison and lots of others.
Trading hours Mon-Fri 10am until 4pm Sat & Sun Noon-4pm
Located in the heart of Blairmore Village on the shores of Loch Long, a warm welcome awaits from Stephen, Sylvia & Bex and the team
Fyne Ales Beats Household Names To Win Best Brand Award
A brewery that employs just seven people on the banks of Loch Fyne in Argyllshire has been named as one of the UK's most effective brands. A campaign to rebrand a range of speciality beers produced by the Fyne Ales beat competition from a host of household names such as Guinness, Cadbury's Buttons and Fairy Liquid to win a prestigious gold award at the Design Business Association's awards for design effectiveness. Fyne Ales website.
And the winner is...
Argyll Holidays have announced the winner is...John Brown from Glasgow
Look out for the new Cowal Visitor Map
The Cowal Marketing Group currently are in the final stages of designing a brand new illustrated visitors map for Dunoon and Cowal. Scheduled to be distributed throughout Cowal by Easter 2011. The original map has proven to be a big hit for helping visitors get the most out of their time touring the area. It promises to be packed full of the really practical information like petrol stations and toilets, as well as what we all love about this area, the best view points, the best walks and truly, a wealth of visitor attractions and places to go. If you just can't wait to get your hands on a map then email us with your name and address and we will send one out to you.
Cowalfest announces their 2011 dates
Catch up with all the plans for the October 2011 Cowalfest Walking and Arts Festival. Cowalfest website.
Swimming classes come to Hunters Quay
Starting on 21st February 2011 swiming classes will start at the Dolphin Leisure Complex. For visitors to the area they will be offering individual lessons. Classes will be available for all ages and abilities. Children's, adult & baby, adult & child as well as adult lessons will be on offer. Contact the leisure complex reception on 01369 707771 for details or view their blog details.
New Year Ne'er Day Dip in Loch Goil
Over thirty hardy visitors and locals took to the waters of Loch Goil on January 1st in the second annual charity dip. More information and images are available on their blog report.
Loch Goil DVD launched
For all the visitors who have come to love the scenery and surroundings of the North of Cowal we are pleased to report that a new twenty minute DVD called Loch Goil Past and Present has been produced by Derek Prescott from Lochgoilhead. For more information and how to get your hands on a copy click here.
Visit Cowal Competition Winner
Edgar Mitchell and his wife, of Rothes, Moray, were over the moon to hear they had won a 6-night cruise for two on The Majestic Line, and will be sailing the Argyll Coastline in style next April. Congratulations to Edgar and commiserations to everyone else who entered!
The Majestic Line wins another Award
The innovative Cowal Cruising Company, The Majestic Line were particularly pleased to to be announced winners for the Best Employers in Hospitality 2010 on September 28th - because they were nominated by their staff and crew! The Majestic Line was recently shortlisted for A Visit Scotland Thistle Award, a Highland and Islands Food Award and a Highlands and Islands Customer Care Award
Special offers at Portavadie Marina
Portavadie Marina is offering a 2 night midweek getaway in their exciting new marina accommodation. Starting from £195 for 2 nights, the offer is based on a cottage rental sleeping 4/5 people. Find out more at www.portavadiemarina.com
Can Squirrels Swim?
There is a very healthy population of red squirrels in Cowal and it is often possible to see them, but the guests on board a heritage and wildlife cruise by local company The Majestic Line were delighted and overwhelmed to find they actually had one on board as an extra, if univited guest! Local squirrel expert, Jan Ferguson, Chair of the Cowal Red Squirrel Group advised that Squirrels can swim short distances and it had probably been fighting with an other squirrel or escaping a predator to end up on the Majestic Line Vessel, the Glen Massan. To see red squirrels in Cowal, Jan recommends Toward Point and Benmore Gardens in South Argyll, but they are seen throughout the Peninsula
Quadmania awarded 5 star status by Visit Scotland
Quadmania, based in Blairmore, is the first Quad Centre in Scotland to win the coveted 5 star status as an outdoor centre. The award is based on the quality of the visitor experience and the standard of tuition and equipment as well as other rigorous criteria. Quadmania offers a range of quad trekking options as well as clay shooting, archery and multi activity days with the opportunity to engage in other adventure sports.
2010 Scottish Hotel Guide Awards
The Colintraive Hotel won two prestigious prizes at the 2010 Scottish Hotel Guide’s awards ceremony. The hotel was named as Inn of the Year 2010 and was also presented with a Gold Medal for Real and Local Food.
Colintraive Hotel’s Patricia Watt said: "I am so happy that the Colintraive Hotel and its staff have been awarded this recognition for all our hard work over the past six years since I took over the hotel. The wonderful setting of the village by the Kyles of Bute, the friendly locals, and the fantastic availability of local produce all contribute to making this a special place."
