Cowal is a delightful backwater with quiet villages like St Catherines, Otter Ferry, Lochgoilhead, Ardentinny and Tighnabruaich.

Overlooking the Firth of Clyde, the main town of Dunoon is a popular holiday base and a terminal for the car ferries from Greenock - with the Caledonian MacBrayne (Cal Mac) ferries arriving at the town pier and those of Western Ferries at Hunters Quay.

There are lots of opportunities for activities including walking, cycling, sailing, trekking and fishing. Explore the remains of ancient castles, walk through magnificent woodland gardens. Round it all off with a Clyde pleasure cruise and you'll know why so many people feel compelled to return to the Cowal Peninsula

• Visit Scotland - the Scottish Tourist Board
• Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and the Trossachs
• Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley

• Distilleries
• Glenfiddich
• Speyside Malt Whisky Trail