The Great Outdoors
What a better way to spend your time, that in the fresh scottish air. The area has something to suit all tastes and fitness levels, whether it be exhilarating outdoor adventure or a scenic stroll.
Off Roading
Why not try MotoScotland, Scotland’s premier motorbike off roading centre. The friendly staff will provide full training and access to 50,000 acres of stunning scenery.
At Quadmania, with over 2,000 acres to play on you will be guaranteed an exhilarating outdoor adventure at any time of the year. Choose from quad biking, archery and clay shooting or try more challenging adventure pursuits; gorge walking, mountain biking, rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking and sailing.
Three miles south of Inveraray is Argyll Adventure – an outdoor activity park with five activities suitable for all ages. Choose from clay pigeon shooting, bungee trampolines, laser blast arena, horse riding and climbing walls. The park is open from Easter to October, reasonably priced and is run by fully trained, experienced staff.
Outdoor Activities with a Difference
Be astounded at Cruachan Power Station. It is a working power station with a difference: it lies 1km inside Ben Cruachan – the “Hollow Mountain”. Visitors to this 5 star attraction are taken deep within the mountain to the view the enormous cavern which houses the turbines which convert hydro power into electricity at times of peak demand. There is also a visitor centre with exhibition and café. Tours are available from February-mid-December.
Inverawe Fisheries has something for everyone, be it fishing on one of the four loch’s, finding out how salmon is smoked, exploring the many trails and tracks, feeding the fish, trying out the new play area, browsing through the shop, or enjoying delicious food in the Smokery Café.
Walking
Argyll Forest Park is a land of craggy peaks and hidden glens, peaceful sea lochs and rushing rivers. Established in 1935, it’s Britain’s oldest Forest Park – and some folk say it’s the best! The park stretches from the Holy Loch, an inlet of the Firth of Clyde, to the jagged peaks of the Arrochar Alps. It owes its rugged scenery to being at one end of the Highland Boundary Fault, the great crack in the Earth’s surface that marks the line between Lowland and Highland Scotland.
Explore trails that range from a short stroll beneath ancient oaks to an all-day bike tour.
One of the most magical forests in Scotland, with a delightful trail along a rocky gorge.
Next door to Benmore Botanic Garden, the forest here has some of Scotland’s most impressive giant trees. Rhododendrons are a blaze of colour in summer.
Kilmun Arboretum.
Find your way through a grove of monkey puzzles at this little-known gem. It’s a fascinating collection of over 150 different tree species from around the world.
There are easy trails suitable for wheelchairs and buggies here, and seaside strolls on Cowal’s longest sandy beach.
Ardgkinglas.
Why not visit Britains tallest tree and visit Ardkinglas Woodland Garden situated on the shores of Loch Fyne. Ardkinglas Estate covers about 4800 hectares. The Woodland Garden is open all the year round with an outstanding collection of plants and trees, including the “Mightiest Conifer in Europe”.
Hill Walking
The Arrochar Alps are where you want to be if you are a keen walker. They provide wonderful opportunities for both climbers and hill walkers with The Cobbler or Ben Arthur as it is also known well worth mentioning in particular. It’s an excellent challenge for walkers with two tops, one of which requires a bit of scrambling.
Beinn Ime Is the closest of the Munro’s which is just a short walk from The Lodge