Dunoon, a charming coastal town in Argyll, Scotland, offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors.
Things To Do In Dunoon
Cycling & Walking
Cycling
You can park your car or motorhome as you enter the village of Sandbank with stunning views across Holy Loch to Kilmun. This carpark is the start of a nice bike ride all the way along the seafront to the Lighthouse at the village of Toward. You can continue your ride to Toward Quay if you so wish.
This bike ride is around 17kms long and will take around an hour each way allowing stops for photos
Toward Lighthouse at the end of the bike ride
Walking
You can park anywhere along the seafront at Dunoon. There is so much parking space for almost any size of vehicle that I do not need to say more. Just drive through Sandbank and park where you like and walk along the seafront, or into the villages that cover the whole of this beautiful seafront.
Benmore Botanic Garden
One of the highlights is the Benmore Botanic Garden, spanning over 120 acres and renowned for its diverse collection of plants from around the world. Visitors can stroll through towering Giant Redwoods, woodlands full of bluebells, and rare exotic species. It’s a must-visit for nature lovers.
Again parking is not an issue. There is a big open carpark as you drive into the place with enough room for most sizes of motorhomes. Mine is a 7 meter Hymer and I had no issues parking. It costs around £8 for entry. There is a tearoom/coffee shop before you pay to go in, so you could just enjoy a coffee & cake if you so wished.
Puck’s Glen
Pucks Glen is a special place that is worth the trip to Dunoon just to enjoy the amazing walk through the rocky gorge. be aware that this walk is not for everybody. It is quite technical and tricky in places and rises considerably.
However the scenery is amazing and is the most amazing rock gorge I have evey visited.
Puck’s Glen is said to be home to the mythical Ghillie Dhu. It’s a perfect spot for a scenic walk, with cascading waterfalls and mystical surroundings.
Castle House Museum
Explore the rich history of Dunoon and Argyll at the Castle House Museum, located near the famous Dunoon Pier. Learn about the Neolithic settlers, the history of Dunoon Castle, and discover lost artifacts.
Dunoon Burgh Hall
This stunning venue in the town center hosts exhibitions, performances, and creative workshops. It’s a cultural hub for the Cowal Peninsula and a great place to experience local art and events.
Glenfinart Walled Garden
For a tranquil escape, visit the Glenfinart Walled Garden in the nearby village of Ardentinny. Stroll through blossoming orchards, enjoy a picnic, and purchase fresh produce.
Water Sports
Dunoon’s coastal location makes it an ideal spot for water sports like sea kayaking. Companies like Sea Kayak Argyll & Bute offer guided expeditions along the beautiful coastline.
Argyll Forest Park
Explore the nearby Argyll Forest Park, which encompasses Puck’s Glen and offers opportunities for hiking, cycling, and enjoying the great outdoors
Dunoon Ferries
The ferries from Dunoon to Glasgow are a very handy and quick way of getting across the water and into the countryside, rather than driving all the way around the busy roads through dumbarton or >Stirling to get to Argyll and start your journey.
There are two main ferry services operating from Dunoon:
- Western Ferries
Western Ferries operates a frequent car and passenger ferry service between Hunter’s Quay in Dunoon and McInroy’s Point in Gourock. Key details about this service:
- Crossing time is around 20 minutes
- Ferries run every 15 minutes during peak periods
- It’s a roll-on/roll-off service, no need to pre-book
- Fares are paid from your vehicle on boarding
- This service provides an alternative route to the A82 and avoids the Rest and Be Thankful pass
- Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)
CalMac operates a passenger-only ferry service between Dunoon town center and Gourock ferry terminal, with connections to trains for Glasgow. There is also ample parking in Dunoon for those who want to go across and visit Glasgow for any reason.
- Frequent service with up to 60 sailings per day
- Journey time is around 25 minutes
- Fares are £3-£4 for a single ticket
- This route connects Dunoon directly to Gourock train station for travel to Glasgow
Both ferry operators provide a convenient way to travel between Dunoon and the Inverclyde area, avoiding road travel.