North Cowal

Cowal is not a large part of Scotland, yet within the peninsula there is a delightful diversity in the landscape.

North Cowal , bordered by Loch Fyne on the west and Loch Long on the east is quite distinctively rugged with a feeling of great remoteness, yet easily accessed within an hour from Glasgow via the A 83. The Arrochar Alps dominate the landscape around the head of Loch Long, Loch Fyne,and Loch Goil, near the villages of Arrochar and Lochgoilhead. The mountains are largely within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and in part also extend into the Argyll Forest Park. Glens which go into the heart of the range include the beautiful glens of Glen Croe, Hells Glen and Glen Kinglass.

The "Rest and be Thankful" is so named as the climb out of Glen Croe is so long and steep at the end that it was traditional to rest at the top, and be thankful that you had got to the highest point. At the head of Loch Fyne are the lively villages of Strachur and Cairndow and the exceptional Ardkinglas House and Woodland garden. The North of Cowal is perfect for relaxing family holidays with the very popular Holiday Park at Lochgoilhead providing lots of entertainment as well as a healthy outdoor break . Loch Eck, with beautiful views of mountains mirrored in the waters is a spectacular inland loch, great for picnics and fishing and Ardentinny has one of the best beaches on the peninsula.