Email Egmont enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in and around Dunoon
For the active family, Egmont has lots of facilities, spacious gardens
for play, beaches to explore, forest tracks to cycle and wildlife to watch.
If you come for a more restful holiday then simply sit in the garden and watch the sailing yachts and coastal shipping traffic go by on the Firth of Clyde, listen to the distinctive sound of the many species of seabirds and spend time choosing one of the Forest Enterprise walks in the area.
Egmont Accommodation
Egmont is a beautifully situated bungalow one quarter mile from the lighthouse at Toward Point, Argyll. It is one of the few homes in Cowal to have a garden that extends directly onto a private foreshore.
Because of this, the house enjoys a stunning panoramic outlook over the Firth of Clyde that spans 20 miles from Rosneath in the North to beyond Little Cumbrae and Bute in the South. To take advantage of this, Egmont was designed to give a view of the sea from virtually every room.
Bedrooms
There are four bedrooms, sleeping eight (3 twin, 1 double bed) with an
additional cot. All bedrooms are to the seaward side and the downstairs
bedroom has an en-suite bathroom. There are also public bathrooms on the
ground and first floor, each with a shower enclosure.
Public rooms
There are three public rooms: dining room, a small study/ TV room with
a colour TV and a large lounge with open fireplace, panoramic bay window,
colour TV, patio doors to a South-facing verandah and a side door which
opens onto an East-facing "suntrap" - perfect for morning coffee.
Kitchen
The kitchen is equipped with a double oven electric cooker, large fridge-freezer,
dish washer, microwave, food processor, coffee-maker and small breakfast
bar. There is a separate laundry room with washing machine and tumble
dryer.
We will gladly obtain an initial supply of groceries ready for your arrival.
Library
There is a well-stocked library on the half-landing.
Central heating and hot water are included, an initial supply of logs and fuel for the open fire is provided, electricity is charged at standard Hydro Board tariff. Telephone accepts incoming calls. Hairdryer. Colour TV. VHS video recorder. basic CD Player. Bed linen is included and we can supply towels if you require them.
Dog heaven?
The front garden is enclosed and gated with a 3 foot wall topped with
a three strand wire fence. Of course, your dog might not have any energy
left what with all those new smells and the miles of forest tracks to
explore.
Activities and Attractions
Seven miles away, the town of Dunoon has a wide range of shopping facilities,
tourist and leisure amenities while there are smaller shops and a pub
within 2 miles at Innellan. Inverary is a tourist destination 35 miles
away and Oban, the gateway to the West Highlands is about a 90 minute
drive. Glasgow is 90 minutes away.
Walking
Puck's Glen (car park at Rashfield on A815 at NS 146839) is a must; all
the better after a shower of rain. A path, a gorge, waterfalls, waterspouts,
water sprites. The perfect setting for some mercurial mischief.
More challenging hill walking. Beinn Bheula, 779m NS155983 map is a Corbett between Loch Goil and Loch Eck. Start at Lettermay on Lochgoil. Can also be climbed from Invernoaden in Glen Branter at NS121979.
Beinn Buidhe, Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime are Munros in the 'Arrochar Alps', along with the Cobbler (Ben Arthur). These are climbed from various points on the roadside of the A83. Ben Vane and Ben Vorlich, also 'Arrochar Alps', can be climbed from the A82 at Inveruglas.
Preparation, good equipment, fitness and navigation skills required for all of these hills. Always leave details of your route, party and expected time-of-return with a contact.
Running /jogging
4 miles, flat, on road - A815 to Toward Quay and back to Egmont.
8 miles, flat on /off-road - A815 to Toward Quay, take track to Ardyne
Point, following coast, (McAlpine site is 'private' but walkers are tolerated)
past fish farm to Port Lamont, return by A815. Salmon at fish farm are
fascinating.
Cycling
Gentle, flat(ish) and quiet on-road route is to take the A815 from Toward
to its endpoint in Glen Striven. It's 4 miles from Toward to Port Lamont
then a single track road that follows the shore of Loch Striven for a
further 5 miles. Turn back to reverse the route when you have had enough.
Good forest track perfect for mountain bikes. This circular route enters Corlarach Forest at Innellan NS149705 map of access point, 1:50000 map of start of route and circles round to Achafour Farm at NS111703.
About 11 miles round trip from Toward, includes about five miles in forest. Has a long, white-knuckle descent on the gravel track at one point that will screech your brake blocks. Mountain bike trails are maintained by Forest Enterprise in Glen Branter, signposted from Car Park at NS112978.
A beautiful and scenic flat track runs down the west side of Lock Eck for nine miles. A good family outing. Best as a 'two car' trip to avoid cycling back to Glen Branter on a busy and narrow road. Start at Forest Walk Car Park at NS112978, finishes at Benmore Home Farm, continue to Benmore Botanic Garden Car Park NS143855. Avoids the admission charge for Benmore Gardens if you have any strength left for a visit (oops, didn't say that!).
Cycle Hire day or week from the Highland Store, Argyll St, Dunoon
Swimming
Riverside Swim & Health Centre, Dunoon. 25m heated indoor pool, 100m
water slide, warm baby pool, sauna and gym. Cafe open all day.
Riding
Velvet Path Riding & Trekking Centre, Innellan. (5 min by car). Also
serves as the local Riding for the Disabled Centre. 1/2 day rides along
miles of forest tracks and beach rides for more experienced riders.
Argyll Trail Riding at Dalchenna Farm, Inverary and Brenfield Activities, Ardrishaig. Two riding centres run by one family with forest trails, beach gallops, also mountain bikes and clay pigeon shooting.
Gardens of Argyll
Benmore Botanic Garden. 7 miles North of Dunoon. Giant redwoods along
drive and a mountainside trail. 'At its best in May - June when rhododendrons
and azaleas in bloom.' James Duncan Cafe recommended.
Golf
Cowal Golf Club, Dunoon. Innellan Golf Club also welcomes visitors.
Investigate the Golf Discount Pass Scheme from the Tourist Board office.
Valid for ten days and accepted at 34 courses in the area.
Kids Only
Castle Toward, on your doorstep, is a long-established outdoor activity,
music and arts centre based in a fantastic castellated mansion surrounded
by forestry. They have run Summer holiday camps for school-age children
for many years and can offer tailor-made activities, including abseiling,
gorge walks and kayaking.
For the past five years, the Castle Toward Trust has been working relentlessly to retain the Centre as a community facility.
Sightseeing
Excursions on last sea-going Paddle Steamer Waverley. Dunoon Ceramics,
no longer manufacture in Dunoon but have a Factory outlet at The Pot Shop
in Argyll Street Dunoon and Factory viewing Mon - Fri.
Castle House Museum - 'Dunoon and Cowal Past and Present'. open Easter - October.
Prehistory in Cowal
Kilmartin House Centre for Archaeology and Landscape Interpretation, Kilmartin,
Mid-Argyll. Open all year. Over 5,000 years of history are evident in
the Kilmartin Glen, with at least 150 pre-historic sites within six miles
of the Centre. Burial cairns, rock-carvings, standing stones and Dunadd,
fortress of the earliest Scottish Kings. Great tea room and AV display.
DIRECTIONS
Getting there from the Information Centre:
From Dunoon Tourist Information Centre, travel south on the A815, following
the coastal road for 7 miles to Toward. Egmont is one of the last houses
on the seaward side of the road. Look out for the flagpole in the garden.
Getting There by Railway:
From Gourock Railway Station, walk to the Caledonian MacBrayne Ferry Terminal
less than 100 yards. 20 minute ferry crossing to Dunoon hourly service.
A connecting bus service from Dunoon Pier services 482,483 or 485. All
will halt at Egmont on request.
Getting there by Aeroplane:
From Glasgow Airport, take M8 westbound then A8 to Greenock and A770 to
Gourock. There is a choice of two vehicle ferry services - to Hunter's
Quay or Dunoon. From Dunoon, travel south on A815 7 miles to Toward. Egmont
is the last house on the seaward side. Look out for the flagpole in the
garden.
Getting There by Ferry:
From Gourock Ferry Terminal, Caledonian MacBrayne operate an hourly vehicle
ferry crossing to Dunoon. Journey time is 20 minutes. Pay for tickets
on board the vessel. At Dunoon Pier turn left and travel south on the
A815 for 7 miles.
Email Egmont enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
