From Glasgow or Oban the drive to Cowal will take you through stunning scenery. Cowal is a peninsula and ferries can be used to reduce the drive time. Ferries link Cowal with Gourock, the Island of Bute and Tarbert on the Kintyre peninsula.

A regular train service runs from Glasgow Central to Gourock in time to catch the Calmac service to Dunoon. Cowal is well placed for both Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow Prestwick. Whichever way you choose we are sure the short journey to Cowal will only add to the enjoyment of your visit.

BY CAR & FERRY (from Glasgow) - approx 1 hr 30 mins
Follow the M8 West towards Greenock, continue on A8 onto A770 towards Gourock where you can take either:

• Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Gourock to Dunoon
• Western Ferries Clyde-Argyll ferry from McInroys Point (Gourock) to Hunters Quay (Dunoon)

BY CAR (from Glasgow) - VIA LOCH LOMOND - approx 1 hr 30 mins

• Follow the M8 West towards Greenock/Erskine Bridge
• Leave the M8 at Junction 30, then join M898 motorway signposted Erskine Bridge
• Cross over the Erskine Bridge and turn left off the bridge onto A82
• Follow the road past Loch Lomondside to Tarbet, take left to A83 here, continue over the spectacular Rest & Be Thankful mountain pass
• Take next left turn onto A815 signposted Dunoon – unless of course you are visiting Cairndow first, which is straight ahead.

Some Useful Links

• West Coast Motors – Provides bus scheduled services all over Cowal
• Multimap - This covers most of Cowal and if you zoom out will give you a good idea of distances and communications with Glasgow.
• GoogleMaps - We have marked the full extent of Cowal on Google’s new map tool.