June, September & October 2017Cowal Peninsula, Argyll is our home turf, and our base at Strachur lies in the heart of this peninsula. This is an area of exquisite lighting and landscapes. From hill to glen and river to sea, you will be enjoying spectacular mountain views, the glassy reflections on Loch Eck and the iridescent sunsets of Loch Fyne.
Cowal is a hidden gem in the West of Scotland. It is only an hour and a half from Glasgow City, a hub of art, music and culture, yet is a tranquil, beautiful and unspoilt wonderland. From where we are, based in the village of Strachur, we can access endless miles of forest and hill tracks that run along the shores of the silver 'Mirror Loch' and wind high up into the craggy hillsides.
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Our location is right at the edge of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. From here you can climb one of our many Munros such as 'Ben Ime' or 'Ben an Lochan', hike in the hills, cycle, kayak, even take a sea-plane journey from the shores of Loch Lomond or quad-bike up into the hills with Quadmania. Loch Fyne is renowned for its oysters and other seafood and has a varied and secluded coastline, as well as infamous and spectacular sunsets. There is lots of information about what to Explore Argyll or Visit Cowal.
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Cowal has a rich heritage, overlain with signs of history from all ages. There are archaeological sites from the Iron Age, Medieval Stones at Kilmodan Church, and ancient, lost villages at Glenan and Auchindrain. The ruins of Strathlachlan Castle date from the 12th Century but if you want a bit more modern, the renovation of Dunan's Castle at Glendaruel is impressive and you can stay there too, in a bothy in the grounds. You can also see the Lucknow Gate, built as a replica of the actual city gate of Lucknow in India in the nineteenth century.
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Good places to eat in this area include our local pub 'The Whistlefield', so called because it was where the old drovers whistled the cattle across Loch Eck on their way to market. Inver Restaurant, on the shores of Loch Fyne, using the best, fresh local ingredients, offers an interesting take on traditional Scottish fare. Or of course, Loch Fyne Oysters - the seafood specialists…
Contact Wilder Ways at adventures@wilderways.scot or call +44 1369 860 732 or +44 782627329
Directions (from Glasgow)
Strachur
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By Car
Please meet us at our home base at Strachur (see map). By Taxi We can arrange a taxi pick-up from your arrival point to Strachur, price dependent on requirements. The closest airport is Glasgow International from which prices start from £35 per person (assuming a full car). By Bus You can get a bus from Glasgow (Buchanan St Bus Station) to Cairndow using either the Campbeltown service (Bus No. 926) or the Oban service (Bus No. 976). You can book both of these through www.citylink.co.uk. We can arrange a taxi from Cairndow to Strachur by arrangement. |
By Train, Ferry & Bus
Alternatively you can get a train from Glasgow (Central) to Gourock on the west coast (~£15). The train connects to the Dunoon ferry, about a 20 minute sail (~£4). You can check the timetables via 'national rail enquiries' www.nationalrail.co.uk and check availability/book cheap tickets using www.thetrainline.com. From Dunoon Ferry Terminal, you can get a bus to Strachur (Bus No. 484 or 486) www.westcoastmotors.co.uk. Alternatively we can organise a taxi from Dunoon by arrangement.
Alternatively you can get a train from Glasgow (Central) to Gourock on the west coast (~£15). The train connects to the Dunoon ferry, about a 20 minute sail (~£4). You can check the timetables via 'national rail enquiries' www.nationalrail.co.uk and check availability/book cheap tickets using www.thetrainline.com. From Dunoon Ferry Terminal, you can get a bus to Strachur (Bus No. 484 or 486) www.westcoastmotors.co.uk. Alternatively we can organise a taxi from Dunoon by arrangement.
Following the week long point to point ride you will be dropped off in the village of Portavadie from where you will need to arrange onward travel (unless otherwise arranged with us).
Portavadie
By Car
If you have driven to Strachur, we will provide transport back to pick up your car.
By Taxi
The closest airport is Glasgow. We can arrange a taxi from Portavadie to Glasgow airport which is the simplest journey. Price dependent on requirements but start from £35pp. Or we can arrange a taxi to Cairndow or Dunoon from where you can get public transport for your onward journey.
By Train, Ferry & Bus
Alternatively there are other public transport options. You can use the Dunoon ferry to Gourock, the train from Gourock to Glasgow Central, then a bus to the airport. There are also buses from Cairndow straight to Glasgow. Visit www.westcoastmotors.co.uk and www.citylink.co.uk for bus timetables and www.nationalrail.co.uk for rail travel.
If you have driven to Strachur, we will provide transport back to pick up your car.
By Taxi
The closest airport is Glasgow. We can arrange a taxi from Portavadie to Glasgow airport which is the simplest journey. Price dependent on requirements but start from £35pp. Or we can arrange a taxi to Cairndow or Dunoon from where you can get public transport for your onward journey.
By Train, Ferry & Bus
Alternatively there are other public transport options. You can use the Dunoon ferry to Gourock, the train from Gourock to Glasgow Central, then a bus to the airport. There are also buses from Cairndow straight to Glasgow. Visit www.westcoastmotors.co.uk and www.citylink.co.uk for bus timetables and www.nationalrail.co.uk for rail travel.
