Holiday Cottages in - Argyll And Bute - Scotland

Situated on the West coast of Scotland is Argyll and Bute, a county of dramatic scenery and landscapes. In excess of 3,000 miles of coastline, lochs, rivers, glens and mountains make up this area. Scattered throughout are many castles, historic towns and villages and numerous islands to enjoy. It is a very popular holiday destination and holds attractions for everyone. Whether you are after a short break, a romantic getaway or something more it is an ideal holiday destination.

Getting to Argyll and Bute is hassle free, there are excellent motorway links if travelling by car these in turn lead to good main routes and delightful country lanes as you go further into the country. The mainline rail provides access to most areas which, in turn link to local bus and ferry timetables. There are national coach services that operate to many of the larger towns that then link to local services. The airports of Glasgow and Edinburgh are located on the outskirts of the area and these operate national and international flights. Car and passenger ferries run to the west coast islands and many mainland destinations and even to some European destinations.

It is an area of extreme beauty and regardless of the time of year that you visit and you can immerse yourself in the glorious scenery and countryside. Much of the area is unspoiled and has a long history with the area being steeped in tradition and culture. This stunning scenes will delight you and your senses will be bombarded with the sights, sounds and evocative smells you will encounter. It is a place to enjoy peace and tranquility and have time to contemplate.

With so much to see and do it will be difficult to fit everything in however, a good place to start your travels is around Loch Lomond, this is the biggest freshwater loch in Britain. It is well known for its stunning scenery, wildlife and the numerous activities that you can partake in such as fishing, water sports, boating and golf.

This area is well suited to everybody but is particularly appealing to outdoor enthusiasts with a passion for adventure and excitement. There are an abundance of opportunities on offer from climbing some of Scotland's infamous “munros”, fishing, hiking, cycling, quad biking, 4x4 driving, paint balling and clay pigeon shooting, or take some time to relax at one of the fantastic golf courses. This is not an exhaustive list and there are plenty more activities on offer.

Whilst you are here you should definitely include in your itinerary a visit to one of the whisky distilleries, many of these are open to the public and provide guided tours. It is thought that the combination of weather, water, climate and geography play a role in giving the distinctive taste you will find in a true scotch whisky. It is well worth a stop, you will get to see how these palatable whiskies are made in these fascinating and informative tours, perhaps the best part is when you get to sample a “wee dram”. Wherever you are there will be a distillery close by.

A special attraction to this area is Argyll's Atlantic Islands where people flock to. On the islands alone there are over 3,000 recognised archaeological sites, 44 sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs), most of Scotland's marine conservation areas are here with over a third located here, when it comes to endangered species many have made their homes here, it is the cradle of Christianity in the country, and the family home of a once-great seafaring kingdom.

One of the foremost attractions for visitors is the diversity of plants, birds and animals found here. The majority of these species are rarely found outside these islands. There are in excess of 100 species of birds breed on Islay alone. The little isle of Colonsay is home to more than 500 species of plants, which include unusual and striking orchids.

The surrounding waters are just as abundant with life, under the waves you will find everything from molluscs to minke whales. The rich waters here allow a wide variety of marine life to thrive. Each island is unique with its own distinctive character this in turn determines the type of plant, animals and people who establish their home here. The islands certainly have a unique appeal.

Elsewhere throughout the county there is so much to see and enjoy. The towns and villages you will encounter offer great contrasts in areas such as The Slate Islands of Seil and Luing which are referred to as planned villages were built by the local landowners to house the quarry workers. These picturesque whitewashed cottages were built in the 18th and 19th century. Built at the same time but on the opposite scale in Tobermory, the capital of Mull the houses here are a riot of colour. The harbour is bright and colourful and draws people and artists to photograph/draw it.

Argyll is culturally and historically rich, its roots can be traced back to the Stone Age, through to the Bronze Age where remnants of their time here is evident from the standing stones and stone circles lefty behind. The next to arrive where the Iron Age inhabitants who built fortifications referred to as brochs, there are dozens of these to be discovered. Next to arrive were the Scots who brought with them a whole new language, culture and religion, they too had to defend their territory from the Vikings and other kingdoms. The ruins of the castles built during this time can be explored to give you an insight into the past. These castles can be dated back to medieval times, and there are also examples of 13th, 16th and 18th century castles.

There are museums where vivid pictures of daily life in the area are exhibited from past to present. There are still castles and stately homes remaining today with beautiful gardens and traditional interiors giving a glimpse into a bygone era. Heritage centres give a detailed insight into the area and the battles fought by the Scottish people to defend their land and heritage. In the 18th century the people were moved from many of the villages to make way for sheep this was referred to as the “Highland Clearance”. There are numerous deserted villages around that can be explored, probably the best to visit is at Bunessan, also located here is the Ross of Mull historical centre where, you can get a guide detailing the many settlements left behind during the clearances. Tiree has some very good examples of “Black Houses” these traditional crofts were built with extremely thick walls and thatched roofs. Although most have been modernised with white walls and more modern slate/tile roofs, some still maintain their original thatched roofs. The Scots have strong traditions and values and if you would like to hear the official Gaelic language head to “Ionad Naomh Moulage” a Gaelic Heritage Museum. With its early roots in Christianity there are many monasteries and ecclesiastical buildings in Scotland. There is evidence of very early monastic settlement, dating back as far as the 6th century, Iona being one of the earliest mission settlements . These early Abbeys produced some of the most beautiful and elaborately carved Celtic crosses in Scotland with many examples still around to this date. It was also a great place of pilgrimage and drew all sorts of people from all over Europe. Iona is the burial ground of over 60 Kings of Scotland, Ireland and Norway.

The people of Argyll and Bute are welcoming and friendly and will be more than happy to stop and talk with you. They take great pride in their local food and produce, you will bet a real taste of Scotland when you dine here. You will be served everything from the finest Angus beef, the freshest seafood, local whiskies and gorgeous pastries. Take time out to discover the restaurants, pubs, family bistros and cafes that are located here. You will get to experience traditional Scottish cookery however, there is also international cuisine served throughout the area. You will be guaranteed to have a meal to remember. The best way to immerse yourself in the area is to visit a pub, village hall or community centre here you will get to meet the locals, hear stories, sing, dance and partake in festivals and ceilidhs.

Throughout the year there are always events happening, from fetes, transport and music galas, local craft markets, continental and farmer markets, festivals such as the Highland Games, The Chase, Islay Black Bottle Jazz festival. Before you travel do check to see what what is on in the area you are visiting.

All that is left to say is to enjoy your visit to Angus. You will not be disappointed with all that is on offer in this fantastic destination.