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Argyll and Bute

Ardentinny Beach

The longest beach on the Cowal peninsula, on Loch Long, backed by forest, with a shore path to Carrick Castle.

Welcome

Ardentinny Beach is the longest beach on the Cowal peninsula, a crescent of sand and shingle on the western shore of Loch Long, backed by the trees of Ardentinny Forest and looking across the water to the hills.

The village's name is said to mean the hill of fire, or beacon hill, and the beach has seen visitors of every kind over the centuries: Viking fleets, Gaelic raiders, wartime commando assault boats and, today, families with picnics.

Paths lead from the beach along the shore and up into the woods, and a longer path of eleven kilometres runs north to Carrick Castle on Loch Goil. Near the car park is the Glenfinart Walled Garden, once the kitchen garden of Glenfinart House and now a community garden. On the water look for seals and porpoises, with guillemots and gannets overhead, and on the shore there are rock pools full of crabs and anemones. Buses run between Ardentinny and Dunoon.

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The Daily for 9 November, from Scotland with love. an autumn-wooded loch reflected in still water, rocks breaking the surface in the foreground
Not farThe OystercatcherA bar and seafood restaurant on the shore of Loch Fyne at Otter Ferry, with a beach and moorings below.16 milesSee itThe Oystercatcher

Before you go

Ardentinny is on the shore of Loch Long, north of Dunoon, with a car park by the beach; buses run to Dunoon.

Where
Ardentinny, Loch Long, Cowal.
When
Any time.

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Where it is

Ardentinny, on Loch Long, Cowal.

Close byOn Loch Long.
  1. Loch Long at Blairmore under a blue sky of high cloud, the white rails of Blairmore Pier and its Saltire on the left and the far shore low across the water.The BlairmoreA mother and daughter café for breakfasts, light lunches, home baking and Loch Fyne Ales.4 miles as the crow flies
  2. St Munn's Church at Kilmun in sunshine, its square tower and tall windows above the sloping churchyard and its stone wall, the ruined medieval tower beside it and the wooded hill behind.Historic KilmunThe old church of Kilmun on the Holy Loch, open for guided tours from April to the start of November.4 miles as the crow flies
  3. The wooded shore of Loch Eck.Jubilee Point, Loch EckA picnic spot halfway along Loch Eck, in the Argyll Forest Park, with red squirrels on the shore and the powan in the depths.6 miles 14 min by road
  4. Pines on a point, mirrored in the still water of Loch Eck.Loch EckA long, quiet loch in the Argyll Forest Park, with red squirrels on its shores and the rare powan in its depths.6 miles 14 min by road
  5. Dunoon Burgh Hall at dusk, a stepped-gable stone building with a round rose window, its tall windows lit and a green door between two street lamps.Dunoon Burgh HallDunoon's Victorian burgh hall, run as the town's arts centre by a charitable trust.7 miles as the crow flies
  6. Castle House in Dunoon, a turreted sandstone villa with battlements, above a rocky bank of rhododendrons in flower, steps climbing the lawn beside it and the Castle Hill flagpole on the left.Castle House MuseumDunoon's own museum of local history, run by the Dunoon and Cowal Heritage Trust, a local charity.8 miles as the crow flies
Directions
The avenue of giant redwoods at the entrance to Benmore.AttractionsBenmore Botanic Garden3.4 miles as the crow flies
Walkers follow a path through moss-covered pine trees and fernsAttractionsPuck’s Glen3.6 miles as the crow flies
Mist on the hills above the still water of the Holy Loch.AttractionsHoly Loch4.9 miles as the crow flies
Bishop's Glen Reservoir above Dunoon on a bright summer day, still blue water below a bank of conifers and birch, a grassy bank along the near shore.WalksBishop's Glen7.6 miles
The front of Rock Cafe on West Bay in Dunoon, painted with a big ROCK sign, a caveman carrying a tray and a stone wall, bunting along the roof.CafeRock Cafe7.6 miles
The Allt Robuic tumbling through its green gorge.AttractionsGlenbranter8.7 miles
The blacksmith at the glowing forge.AttractionsStrachur Smiddy Museum and Crafts11 miles
A dark timber cabin with a pitched metal roof stands among ferns and birch trees.CairndowKabnSleeps 2 · 20 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the beach, and when each is next free.

A stone cottage with a slated roof sits nestled among dense woodland, two paddleboards resting on the lawn in front.Red Squirrel Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Lochgoilhead
  • 7 miles from Ardentinny
Check datesSeal Cabin, Argyll and ButeSeal Cabin
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Lochgoilhead
  • 7 miles from Ardentinny
Check datesGlenstriven House, a white Victorian house with grey stone corners, at the top of a gravel drive between lawns, with a wooded hill behind.Glenstriven House
  • Sleeps 15
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 10 miles from Ardentinny
Free 10–12 NovA dark timber cabin with a pitched metal roof stands among ferns and birch trees.Kabn
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Cairndow
  • 13 miles from Ardentinny
Free 17–19 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in Argyll and ButeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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CollectionScotland's Best Beaches
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