Dunoon, on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, packs a surprising amount into a small Scottish town. You get Highland Games, botanic gardens, long-distance walking routes, loch kayaking, arts events, and ferry-hopping adventures, all within easy reach of Glasgow. If you’re heading over from the city, check out our Glasgow travel guide to make the most of both sides of the water. Here is everything worth knowing before you visit.
Quick Answer: What Can You Do in Dunoon?
Dunoon offers outdoor activities (walking, cycling, kayaking, wild swimming), cultural events (Cowal Highland Gathering, CowalFest, Dunoon Burgh Hall), and heritage attractions (Castle House Museum, Benmore Botanic Gardens). The town sits on the Cowal Peninsula and is a 20-25 minute ferry ride from Gourock.
Cowal Highland Gathering: The Biggest Event in the Calendar
The Cowal Highland Gathering is one of the largest Highland Games in the UK and draws around 23,000 visitors each year. It hosts the World Highland Dancing Championships alongside traditional Scottish athletics, music, and family entertainment. The massed pipes and drums display, featuring hundreds of pipers and drummers performing together, is a centrepiece of the event. Honestly, the sound of that many pipes hitting you all at once is something else entirely. If you are planning a trip around a specific event, this is the one to anchor your visit to.
Benmore Botanic Gardens
Benmore Botanic Gardens covers 120 acres and contains plants from regions across the world. You enter through the Redwood Avenue, a 150-year-old avenue of giant redwood trees that sets the tone for the whole visit. The gardens are located north of Dunoon and are well suited to a half-day visit. Budget more time if you’re the type to read every single plant label (no judgement, I am that type).
Castle House Museum
Castle House Museum in Dunoon covers local history, including the story of Highland Mary, Robert Burns’ companion, whose statue stands on the promenade gazing towards Ayrshire, and the history of Clan Lamont. It is a compact but informative stop, particularly if you want context for the area’s Victorian past.
Dunoon developed as a resort town from the 1820s onwards, when wealthy Glasgow merchants began visiting and eventually built mansions here. That Victorian character is still visible in the town’s architecture and promenade.
Walking in and Around Dunoon
The Cowal Way is a 57-mile long-distance walking route across the peninsula. It also forms part of the Five Ferries cycling route, a 72-mile island-hopping circuit that passes through Bute, Arran, Cowal, and Kintyre. If the Bute leg catches your eye, we’ve got a full guide to things to do on Bute and the West Island Way.
Argyll Forest Park surrounds the area and offers routes for all abilities, from gentle forest strolls to Munro ascents. The park is also well set up for gravel and mountain biking. If you enjoy this kind of Scottish Highlands scenery, you’d probably also love the trails around Aviemore.
Puck’s Glen, a woodland walk through ancient forest with waterfalls and hidden pathways, is one of the most talked-about spots near Dunoon. It is currently closed due to storm damage, so check the latest status before you plan around it.
Loch Eck, a seven-mile-long loch north of Dunoon within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, is suitable for walkers, boaters, and kayakers.
CowalFest: The Annual Walking Festival
CowalFest is an annual walking festival celebrating the scenic variety of the Cowal Peninsula. It is a good option if you want a structured way to explore the region’s walking routes with others. Turns out, walking with a group of strangers who are equally obsessed with viewpoints and waterproof layers is surprisingly fun.
The Secret Coast
The Secret Coast refers to the quieter side of Cowal, where sea lochs and small villages offer sailing, good food, and a slower pace. The village of Tighnabruaich, on the shore of the Kyles of Bute, is one of the highlights of this stretch.
Arts and Culture in Dunoon
Dunoon Burgh Hall hosts regular exhibitions and cultural events as part of Cowal’s thriving arts scene. The area also has a strong Gaelic heritage, which shapes the cultural identity of the peninsula. Browsing the craft shops and galleries along Dunoon’s high street is worth an hour of your time.
Wild Swimming
The Cowal Peninsula has several spots suited to wild swimming. Fair warning though, the current weather in Dunoon is sitting at about 40°F with heavy rain and 95% humidity (as of April 2026), so you’ll want a decent wetsuit and a healthy dose of stubbornness. Check Wild About Argyll’s dedicated guide for current spot recommendations before you go.
Getting to Dunoon
Ferry is the main way in. Two operators run services from Gourock:
- CalMac runs a frequent passenger and vehicle ferry to Dunoon (Hunter’s Quay). The crossing takes around 20-25 minutes. Foot passengers and cyclists are both welcome.
- Western Ferries also operates from Gourock for car travel.
Book ferry tickets in advance, especially in summer.
Alternative ferry routes:
- Take the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay ferry (Isle of Bute), then the Rhubodach to Colintraive ferry to reach Cowal from the north of the island.
By road: The A83 through Glen Croe via the Rest and Be Thankful pass is the scenic overland option. It marks the shift from Lowlands to Highlands and offers good photo stops.
By coach: Scottish Citylink runs services from Glasgow that connect with ferry crossings. Local bus routes within Cowal let you reach key attractions without a car.
By bike: The Cowal Way and Five Ferries route are both accessible by ferry, making Dunoon a solid base for a cycling trip.
Where to Stay in Dunoon
Accommodation options in and around Dunoon include:
- Friendly B&Bs in the town
- Self-catering apartments
- Hotels
- Hunter’s Quay Holiday Park (near the ferry terminal)
- Stratheck Holiday Park (north of town, near Loch Eck)
- Stravaigin Lodges (Lamont Lodges, A815, Dunoon, PA23 8QT, contact: 07748 115162)
Day Trips from Dunoon
| Destination | Why Go | How to Get There |
|---|---|---|
| Isle of Bute | Victorian-era charm, easy ferry access | Ferry from Cowal via Rhubodach to Colintraive route |
| Inveraray | Historic town, near Loch Fyne | A83 road or via Cairndow |
| Cairndow | Head of Loch Fyne, near Rest and Be Thankful | A83 |
| Tighnabruaich | Kyles of Bute views, sailing | Road via the Secret Coast |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dunoon best known for?
Dunoon is best known for the Cowal Highland Gathering, one of the UK’s largest Highland Games and home of the World Highland Dancing Championships. It also draws visitors for Benmore Botanic Gardens, the Cowal Way walking route, and its position as a gateway to the Argyll Forest Park.
How do you get to Dunoon from Glasgow?
Take a Scottish Citylink coach from Glasgow to Gourock, then a CalMac or Western Ferries crossing to Dunoon. The ferry crossing takes around 20-25 minutes. Alternatively, drive the A83 via the Rest and Be Thankful pass.
Is Puck’s Glen open near Dunoon?
No. Puck’s Glen is currently closed due to storm damage. Check with Wild About Argyll or the local authority for updates before including it in your plans.
How long does the ferry to Dunoon take?
The CalMac ferry from Gourock to Hunter’s Quay (Dunoon) takes around 20-25 minutes. Foot passengers and cyclists are welcome, though booking ahead is recommended for vehicles.