This is your holiday. You decide what you are interested in. To save you time these links are my favourites.
No commission is earned from any affiliate links. Links open in a new browser tab.
The Goil Inn – The village pub & restaurant. Locally managed. Popular with locals and visitors. Worth a visit. Regular live entertainment. Patio area with loch view. Colin and his team create a welcoming vibe and creative menu choices – just what a village pub should be.
The Shore House and Pizza Restaurant offers freshly prepared sourdough artisan pizzas. Sit in or take-away. Open Thursday-Sunday 12 noon till 10pm. Phone 07368 931827 to confirm times to be sure as they occasionally do private functions. A wonderful setting at the head of Loch Goil. Walk in from the village. or follow the signs for the car park. Regular live Saturday afternoon entertainment.
The View Bar & Restaurant at the Drimsynie Holiday Village – It lives up to its name. In an elevated position with views over Loch Goil to the mountains. Book a table online. Take-away option available.
The Boat Shed Cafe & Coffee Shop – No website. Best viewed on Instagram. 122K followers – they must be doing something right. theboatshedlochgoil Located between Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle The Boat Shed gets a lot of media attention because of its loch side setting. Go visit. You’ll find out why.
Lochgoilhead Community Garden and River Walk – a low-level, easy-access path network and nature trail along the banks of the River Goil. Suitable for all ages. Park in the village and walk back to the entrance. At the end of the first section of the River Walk, cross the road and follow the forestry road accessed by the bridge, which brings you to the second part of the river walk. Look out for the marker posts at the entrance of the nature trail. A pleasure to walk and explore all year round.
Loch Goil Cruisers – Explore Loch Goil. Ideal for fishing, seal and porpoise spotting. For sure the best way to take in the scenery of this beautiful fjord-type sea loch. Enjoy a bit of house spotting to view and appreciate the Victorian mansions dotted along the shoreline. Built many years ago by the rich Glasgow merchants who travelled on the Clyde steamers for weekends and holidays to visit their second homes.
Cormonachan Community Woodlands – 158 acres of ancient Atlantic oak & hazel woodlands located on the hillside between Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle. Ample parking. Head to the Red Squirrel Hide where you can sit and wait for whatever comes along, before following the trail round to the Contemplation Shelter to take in the view down Loch Goil. There are a number of marked trails as well as information points along the way. Find out more on their comprehensive website. They have quite a story to tell.
Inveraray Castle and Gardens – Take a tour and visit the gardens and estate. The seat of the Dukes of Argyll, chiefs of Clan Campbell, since the 18th century. An interesting history and a scenic setting. Allow time to follow some of the marked walking trails around the estate. For panoramic views of Inveraray, Loch Fyne, and the surrounding mountains, I recommend the hike up to the Dun na Cuaiche Watchtower.
Cruise Loch Lomond – Who wouldn’t enjoy a sightseeing trip with commentary on this famous Scottish loch? Tarbet is the nearest starting point, but you may want to explore the southern part of Loch Lomond and the islands from Luss, a pretty village also worth a visit. A choice of trips from both locations.
Oban Distillery – Easy to book a tour online and make it part of your day out in Oban. For views overlooking the town, you should also consider heading up to McCaig’s Tower, or McCaig’s Folly, which is a prominent tower on Battery Hill.
Ardkinglas Woodland Garden, Gruffalo & Fairy Trail – Thearboretum includes Champion Trees and a renowned collection of Rhododendrons. Dramatic views over Loch Fyne. The garden is on several levels with various terrains. Partially wheelchair/pram friendly, steep in places. The Gruffalo Trail, Fairy Trail & Snakey Slide are a must-visit for all young at heart. Open all year round, dawn to dusk.
Historic Kilmun – One for history buffs. 45-minutes fromLochgoilhead. A beautiful location with a fascinating history. Make a circular tour and carry on round to The Blairmore which is a small cafe overlooking Loch Long. Travel on to the small coastal village of Ardentinny and take the scenic Glen Finnart road back to Loch Eck. A grand trip out combining a place to visit, coffee, snacks and beautiful scenery.
Sightseeing and fishing – Tighnabruaich – is a scenic coastal village in the south of Cowal. Well worth the drive. A trip with Cowal Cruises can be part of a great day out. They offer seasons boat trips. Full info on their website. COWAL CRUISES
Drimsynie Holiday Village – How lucky is our village in having a lot of activities to choose from. Indoor and outdoors. Swimming pool, sauna, steam room, play hall. Open to the public on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Tennis and Pickleball – There is tennis on the multi-court next to the village hall. Go to the little office next to the gate where there are instructions. Likely the net will need to be put up, Allow time for this. You can book in advance in the diary in the office. Pickleball is offered on an indoor court at the Drimsynie Leisure Centre. Rackets available. Book at the leisure reception.
Hiking & Walking – We have this covered. 21 local walks in the Loch Goil Trails Guidebook.Loch Goil Trails Guidebook
Golf – Hilly Argyll may not seem the obvious choice for golf, but take my word for it, there are some stunning gems of courses that no matter about your golf, they are just wonderful to play. The following is a slecation, there are more… Leonard Gow
Inveraray Golf Course – 9 holes in a parkland setting with some fun holes. Honesty box. Turn-up-and-play. No website but they have a Facebook page – follow the link.
Dalmally Golf Course – Picturesque course by the River Orchy, nestling between views of Ben Crauchan and Ben Lui, will test the ablest golfer while at the same time offering fair and fun golf for beginners – accuracy is needed to score well. They are a dog friendly club.
Kyles of Bute Golf Club – On the hill above Kames, the golf course offers panoramic views across the water to the Island of Bute as well as other stunning aspects across Loch Fyne to the Mull of Kintyre, and south to the Ayrshire coast past Arran. 9 holes, requiring careful choice of both club and shot. Warning – this is a hilly course, and all the better for it. You will need some stamina. Hugely rewarding to play.
Beach – Ostel Bay, also known as Kilbride Bay, is clean, safe and a great beach for families. Takes a bit of effort and planning to get there, but it is worth it. Located on the southern coast of Tighnabruaich on the Kyles of Bute, 1hr 10min drive from Lochgoilhead. Kilbride Bay is a crescent-shaped beach with magnificent dunes and beautiful views of the Isle of Arran. Known as one of the best beaches in the area, if not Scotland, Kilbride Bay is a wonderful destination for paddling and swimming. To reach Kilbride Bay, take the B800 from Tighnabruaich and Kames to the crossroads at the village of Millhouse, turn left towards Ardlamont and follow the single-track road until you reach Kilbride Farm. Park your car in the lay-by at the side of the road, and from here it’s a 15-minute walk to the beach. There are no facilities at the beach.
Wild Water Swimming – Head down to the shore at Carrick Castle for easy access to the loch. Known for its clear waters, be prepared for cold water temperatures, even in summer. It’s more of a cold plunge than a leisurely swim for many.
Fishing – Loch Goil and River Goil – Loch Goil is a mud bottomed tidal sea loch where good fishing is available throughout Summer and the Autumn. Like all Scottish sea lochs, fishing is free of charge all year from the shore or a boat. A popular option is to hire a boat from Loch Goil Cruisers (add link). Optional fishing equipment is available for hire. The River Goil requires a permit – available at the village post office where there is a map of the fishing spots. At this time (August 2025) the daily permit is £20. The best trout fishing is June to September after there has been rain. Fishing on Sundays is not permitted. The River Goil Angling Club promotes a strict catch-and-release policy. [note: only River Goil Angling Club members can fish the river in October]
A full day to Glencoe out taking in lochs, castles and the West Highlands.
From Lochgoilhead travel over to Loch Lomond and the first recommendation is to stop at the Inveruglas Pyramid for views of this most famous of lochs. Travel north via Tyndrum and over the boggy moorland of Rannoch Moor, gateway to the eerie glen of Glencoe, famous as the site of the 1692 Clan MacDonald massacre. It just gets better and better. Stop at one of the scenic car parks in Glencoe and allow some time for a walk. After Glencoe, head south by the shores of Loch Linhhe. Look out for the signs to stop at Castle Stalker Cafe & gift shop with panoramic views of Castle Stalker. Head south over the Connel Bridge towards Dalmally. Turn off for Inveraray. By the shores of Loch Awe look out for Kilchurn Castle – one of the most photographed in Scotland. You will probaby see some cars parked by the road. That is your clue to slow down and look for a spot. Return via Inveraray.
Full day tour to Oban.
Nestled on the West Coast, the seaside town of Oban makes for a good day out from Lochgoilhead. Often called the ‘Gateway to the Isles’, if you plan your day it is possible to enjoy a trip on the ferry to Mull as a foot passenger. The views there and back are worth it. Google ‘What to see in Oban’ for some suggestions. The route takes you via Invereray and then north to Loch Awe. Look out for the viewpoint over the loch to Kilchurn Castle, one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. Travel through the grand scenery of the West Highlands and take time to stop along the way.
Explore the Cowal Peninsula.
Lochgoilhead is in the north of the Cowal Peninsula – making this scenic drive right on your doorstep. An area of quiet roads, many of which have an off-the-beaten track feel to them. Wonderful for taking time and exploring what is often a bypassed area as visitors rush north. Head out of Hell’s Glen, the B839 single-track road, west towards Loch Fyne. Take a moment and take in the view across the loch towards Inveraray. The first of many such stops along this trip. Turn right before Strachur and the signs for the Bute Ferry and travel down Glendaruel where you will eventually turn right again for Tighnabruaich. 3 miles before Tighnabruaich be sure to stop at The Kyles of Bute Viewpoint. Overlooking the narrow channel of water separating the Isle of Bute from mainland Argyll, barely a mile wide but perhaps 20 miles in length, this is one of the most scenic stretches of coastline on the western seaboard – yet rarely visited by tourists. Carry on via Kames and you come to the crossroads at Millhouse. Options: If it’s a beach day, head down to Ostel Bay (find out more in the Activities section) and on towards Portavadie, a marina, leisure and holiday complex on the shores of Loch Long. This place really does have an end-of-the-road feel about it, but is worth visiting. You will be surprised. Check the Cal-Mac timetables and take the ferry as a foot passenger to Tarbert, where you have a short walk into the village. This adds quite a bit of time to your day, so please allow for that. Leaving Portavadie head back to Lochgoilhead over the hills via Otter Ferry and then the singe-track coast road as it twists-and-turns along the shores of Loch Long. A scenic drive that lives up to its name.
Cowal Peninsula – Eastern Circuit.
A half or full day excursion, enjoying the suggested stops along the way. Head out via Hell’s Glen, the B839 single-track road, west towards Loch Fyne. Take a moment and take in the view across the loch towards Inveraray. Turn right on the A road for Dunoon. Halfway down Loch Eck head over Glen Finnart via the single-track road towards Ardentinny. Before reaching the village, look out for the signs for the beach. Ardentinny Beach is the longest beach in the area, known for its sandy stretch and picturesque setting. A great starting point for several walking trails, offering various levels of difficulty. Rich history, including its use by Viking fleets, Gaelic raiders, and as a training ground for Royal Navy Commandos during World War II. Parking and toilets.The Blairmore Cafe at Blairmore – on the shore of Loch Long beside Blairmore Pier offering locally sourced produce, lots of home baking, light meals, speciality coffees and teas. Sit in, sit out or takeaway. No need to book. A mother and daughter family business supported by a fantastic team. As you head north back to Lochgoilhead consider visiting Benmore Botanic Garden, a magnificent mountainside garden, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Its 120 acres are home to a world-famous collection of plants from the Orient and the Himalaya to North and South America, including over 300 species of rhododendrons. Benmore welcomes visitors through an avenue of 150-year-old giant redwoods, arguably one of the finest entrances to any botanic garden. The garden is beautiful throughout the seasons with superb displays of rhododenrons in spring, striking eucryphias in summer and spectacular displays of rich autumn foliage. Puck’s Glen – A popular short walk in the region, Puck’s Glen is a dark and atmospheric defile. A tumbling burn, criss-crossed by bridges, is enclosed by rocky walls heavily hung with mosses and overshadowed by dense trees. (Note – storm damage in 2025 means this walk may be closed until the walk is restored. There are other marked trails open from the car park). As you follow the road along the eastern shore of Loch Eck, stop at one of the picnic sites and enjoy gorgeous views across the loch. Jubilee Point picnic site is particularly photogenic, so don’t forget to bring your camera. Optional side trip to Dunoon, the main town on the Cowal peninsula.
Garelochhead Coaches – Helensburgh – Lochgoilhead – Carrick Castle
West Coast Motors – Dunoon – Lochgoilhead – Carrick Castle