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Argyll and Bute

Kilbride Bay Beach

A crescent of sand on Argyll's Secret Coast, reached through the dunes, with Arran filling the view.

Welcome

Kilbride Bay is a crescent of soft sand at the southern tip of Cowal, on the stretch of shore known as Argyll's Secret Coast, and it is one of the finest beaches in the region.

It is not signposted and no road reaches it: a single-track road runs south from Millhouse towards Ardlamont, and from a layby a good track and then a wide path, boggy in places, lead past a lochan and through the dunes, a walk of about twenty minutes.

The reward comes as you crest the last ridge of dunes, when the whole of Arran appears across the water, framed by the two ends of the bay. At low tide the sand runs for about a mile, and there is room enough that you may have it to yourself. Sandy beaches are scarce on Cowal. Keep an eye on the water for seals, otters and porpoises.

Before you go

Take the single-track road south from Millhouse towards Ardlamont and park in the layby about two miles on.

The walk to the beach is about 20 minutes each way on a track and a path that can be boggy.

Parking
A layby two miles south of Millhouse.
Walk in
About 20 minutes each way.
Transport
No public transport nearby.

Did you know

A curving sandy beach edged by dune grass and a hillside of autumn-coloured trees
Did you know

Arran framed.

The whole of Arran appears as you crest the last dunes, framed by the two ends of the beach.

A sandy beach backed by dune grass and pine forest, with the tide out
Did you know

A mile of sand.

At low tide the sand stretches for about a mile.

Swans swimming across a calm loch bordered by reeds and autumn trees
Did you know

A lochan on the way.

The path to the beach passes a lochan, where swans are often on the water.

A sandy beach with seaweed washed up at the tideline, backed by a hillside of pine and autumn woodland
Did you know

A rare thing on Cowal.

Sandy beaches are scarce on the Cowal peninsula, which makes this one stand out.

A sandy beach with waves washing seaweed onto the shore, backed by a hillside of autumn-coloured trees
Did you know

Seals, otters and porpoises.

Seals, otters and porpoises are all seen along this coast.

A grassy path through dune grass leading towards a patch of heather and forested hills
Did you know

A walk from the inn.

A circular walk leads from the Kames Hotel over the hill, through Millhouse and down to Kilbride Bay, and back along the coast.

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Where it is

The southern tip of Cowal, south of Millhouse.

Close byOn Argyll's Secret Coast.
  1. Picnic tables outside the Argyll Coffee Roasters window at the Hayshed.The Coffee Bar at Hayshed GalleryArgyll Coffee Roasters' own coffee bar at the Hayshed Gallery near Tighnabruaich, open at weekends.3 miles10 min by road
  2. A cottage by the shore of the Kyles of Bute.Kames villageA quiet shore village by the Kyles of Bute, south of Tighnabruaich, once home to a gunpowder trade.4 miles13 min by road
  3. The OystercatcherThe OystercatcherA bar and seafood restaurant on the shore of Loch Fyne at Otter Ferry, with a beach and moorings below.5 miles14 min by road
  4. The ferry crossing Loch Fyne between Portavadie and Tarbert.Portavadie Ferry to TarbertThe short CalMac crossing of Loch Fyne between Cowal and Kintyre, turn up and go, about 25 minutes.5 miles17 min by road
  5. The lane through Kilfinan past the whitewashed hotel, a mossy stone wall alongside.Kilfinan Church and StonesA Cowal village by Loch Fyne whose 17th-century church keeps a vault of carved stones, from early Christian slabs to medieval grave slabs.9 miles21 min by road
Directions
The Hollies, Argyll and ButeArgyll and ButeThe HolliesSleeps 18 · 4.4 miles
Stay nearby

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

The Hollies, Argyll and ButeThe Hollies
  • Sleeps 18
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 4 miles from Kilbride Bay
Check datesA white harled house with crow-stepped gables catches the sunset glow above a loch, yellow flowering shrubs in the foreground.Glenstriven House
  • To stay
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 10 miles from Kilbride Bay
Free 25–27 OctPlaces 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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