Argyll and Bute: Walking Trails, Gardens and Heritage

In Kilmartin Glen, more than 800 monuments lie within a six-mile radius of Kilmartin Museum. The glen is one of Scotland’s richest prehistoric landscapes. This concentration gives Argyll and Bute a strong cultural focus, alongside walking trails, gardens, forests and island routes as different highlights of your trip.

Walking Trails and Island and Peninsula Routes

Argyll and Bute has 1,167 miles of designated Core Paths. On Bute, the 30-mile West Island Way long-distance walking route passes through coastal landscapes, past beaches, and across farmland, moorland and forest paths. Each landscape shapes the route in its own way and gives you a clear sense of its range.

On the Cowal Peninsula, the Loch Lomond & Cowal Way runs from Portavadie to Inveruglas. The route uses existing footpaths, forest roads, slopes, quiet roads and traditional rights of way. Comparing it with the Caledonia Way is also helpful when planning your trip: the section between Oban and Campbeltown is 120 miles long and runs mostly on roads. The two descriptions refer to very different routes and ways of travelling, not two interchangeable walks.

Islay also offers ways to plan your own outings: Discover Islay features eight self-guided walking and cycling routes, with maps and detailed route descriptions. You can take an island route on foot or by bike, using the information provided for each route as a guide.

Forests, Wildlife and Trails in Argyll Forest Park

Argyll Forest Park stretches from Holy Loch, a sea loch off the Firth of Clyde, to the rugged peaks of the Arrochar Alps. Its landscape includes hidden glens, quiet sea lochs and fast-flowing rivers. Red squirrels, pine martens and crossbills live in the park, which also has mountain biking trails for cross-country riding.

Glenbranter Forest lies at the heart of Argyll Forest Park and offers short walking trails and long riding trails. Allt Robuic Gorge has waterfalls, and a trail leads through the gorge to a series of them. Another trail runs through native oak, birch and hazel woodland, and there is a wildlife-watching hide along one of the trails. Red squirrels can often be seen among the branches in the forest.

Gardens with Distinctive Character

Crarae Woodland Garden is a Himalayan-style glen in the rolling hills of Argyll. Trails lead to a gorge, a stream, waterfalls and cliffs; forest bathing is also available. Its botanical diversity includes more than 50 plant families, 240 genera and over 900 plant species. These figures give the garden a distinctive botanical dimension alongside its landscape.

Benmore Botanic Garden covers 120 acres and lies within both Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park and Argyll Forest Park. Its plant collections come from the Himalayas, China, Japan, and North and South America. While Crarae is described in terms of the number of its plant families, genera and species, Benmore stands out for the wide range of regions represented.

Prehistoric Sites, Architecture and Culture

Guided walks in Kilmartin Glen lead to ancient sites in the valley, including the Linear Cairn Cemetery, Nether Largie South Chambered Cairn and Temple Wood Stone Circle. The active Kilmartin Museum complements the subject with collections, educational programmes and activities. Here, the monuments are not isolated from one another: the museum and guided walks offer different ways to explore the prehistoric landscape.

The Kilmodan Sculptured Stones showcase a different kind of heritage. The collection consists of nine late medieval grave slabs from the West Highlands and one post-Reformation grave slab, dated 1636. The stones come from the churchyard around St Modan’s Church in the village of Clachan of Glendaruel and form a collection of carved stones in a chapel-like setting. On Bute, Rothesay Castle has Scotland’s only circular curtain wall. Mount Stuart, meanwhile, is a neo-Gothic mansion on the Isle of Bute, with gardens covering 300 acres.

On Islay, Bruichladdich Distillery offers visitors a range of experiences: tours of its Victorian distillery and cask tastings, as well as a hands-on Botanist cocktail-making class. It adds a specific cultural experience to the walking and nature themes.

Plan Your Trip and Hotel Location

Bute can be reached by the Wemyss Bay–Rothesay and Colintraive–Rhubodach ferry services; check the timetables before travelling. Then choose where to stay based on your plans and check the relevant transport information.

Discover more destinations: Connel, Glencruitten, Colintraive, Isle Of Mull, Garelochhead, Minard, Cairndow, Tarbert, Lochgilphead, Saint Catherines, Lerags, Port Ellen, Ardlui, Rothesay, Inversnaid, Innellan, Cardross, Furnace, Ardrishaig, Isle Of Colonsay, Shandon, Crinan, Appin, Luss, Rhu, Kilmun, Ardentinny, Lochgoilhead, Kilmelfort, Inveraray, Dalmally, Craignure, Carradale, Campbeltown, Bridge Of Orchy, Arrochar, Ardfern, Rowardennan, Lussagiven, Helensburgh, Kilchoan, Bowmore, Dalavich, Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, Tayinloan, Isle of Jura, Bunessan, Isle of Coll, Port Bannatyne, Kilbride, Kirn, Isle of Gigha, Strachur, Kames, Isle of Bute, Kingarth, Dunoon, Taynuilt, Tobermory, Tighnabruaich, Isle of Islay, Cairnbaan.

For the wider travel overview: Scotland.