On the western shore of Loch Fyne near the head of the Loch, Inveraray is known as “The Capital of Argyll’ and is the ancestral seat to the Duke of Argyll. In 1746 the original old town was demolished in order that the 3rd Duke’s vision for a new town to be built – eventually producing one of the best examples of an 18th Century new town in Scotland. During the Second World War over 1/4 million allied soldiers trained near the town prior to D-Day. Famous for its Jail, now an award winning museum, Archway, Tower and white painted frontage and a short walk from Inveraray Castle it is a much visited destination and the gateway to the West Coast, Argyll and the Highland and Islands.

One of the most recognised icons of Scotland, the Castle is situated at the confluence of three sea lochs, Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Ash.

The original castle was destroyed by government ships during the Jacobite Rebellions in the 18th Century. When it was restored an archway bridge was added and the Castle is one of Scotland’s most visited monuments featuring in films such as Highlander and James Bond. The stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie, it is claimed that Robert the Bruce sheltered there in 1306. The main ceiling beams in the Banqueting Hall are of Douglas Fir shipped from British Columbia, Canada as a gift from the Clan Macrae.

North of Islay and south of Mull, lies the beautiful island of Colonsay with its stunning sandy beaches and linked by a tidal causeway to the tiny island of Oronsay. A Viking grave including a boat with silver burial goods was discovered at Kiloran Bay in 1882. Oronsay has the ruins of a medieval Augustinian Priory built in 1380 on the site of an earlier church. Colonsay is the smallest island in the world with its own brewery that employs two people. The island can boast the fact that in 1993 when it was reported that the last recorded crime on the Island was treachery against the King in 1623 – a testament to life on the Island.

Viewed from Skipness, Arran is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde, often described as a geologist’s paradise with numerous hills, mountains, forests, rivers, lochs and beaches. On the north of the Island are the ‘Arran Alps’ with the highest being Goat Fell at nearly 3000ft and is designated a National Scenic Area – defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and the Island’s Coastal Way of 66 miles around the island and designated as one of Scotland’s Great Trails. A ferry service links Lochranza to the Mull of Kintyre and its ‘long and winding road’.

Sitting to the north of the island of Islay, Jura is dominated by three steep-sided mountains, the ‘Paps’ which rise to over 2575ft each and on a clear day are visible from the Isle of Skye and Northern Ireland. The main settlement on the east coast, Craighouse is the home of the Jura Distillery which produces one of Scotland’s finest whiskies. George Orwell completed his novel ‘1984 while living there and at the island’s northern tip is the famous Corryvreckan whirlpool, the third largest in the world.

Known for its tranquility and natural environment, the island is as the birthplace of Celtic Christianity in
Scotland when St Columba established the Abbey in 563. Iona became a renowned centre of learning. In 1549 the burial ground listed 48 Scottish, 8 Norwegian and 4 Irish Kings. In 1938 the Iona Community was founded as an ecumenical Christian community and a destination for spiritual retreats.

Many artists such as Cadell and Peploe have been drawn to the Island by the unique quality of light, the white sandy beaches and the aquamarine colour of the sea.

The Silver Sands of Morar are a celebrated series of beautiful beaches along the coast from Arisaig to Morar.

The area has featured in several films such as Rob Roy, Highlander with Sean Connery and perhaps most notably in Bill Forsyth’s masterpiece ‘ Local Hero’ starring Burt Lancaster with Mark Knopfler’s memorable music score. A feature of the movie are the scenes filmed in the ‘gloaming’ – the unique golden light that occurs on late summer evenings. Offshore is the island of Rum with its volcanic peaks and Eigg where eagles fly overhead.

Tobermory is the capital town on the Island and was founded in 1788. Legend has it that the wreck of a Spanish galleon laden with gold lies at the bottom of the Bay – despite several expeditions the level of mud had so far frustrated attempts to locate it. Famous for its brightly painted buildings along the harbour and dominated by the famous Western Isles Hotel high on the hill.

Boat tours leave to visit the Treshnish Isles and Fingal’s Cave on Staffa and ferries sail between Tobermory and the Ardnamurchan peninsula on the mainland.

On the shore of Loch Scavaig on the Strathaird Peninsula, the village of Elgol’s scenic attractions are a destination for visitors travelling by boat to see Loch Coruisk and the Small Isles. The cave where Prince Charlie was said to have waited for a boat to the mainland in 1746 is a short walk from the village. The view of the mountain ridge across the Loch is one of the most spectacular in Scotland.

On the shore of Loch Scavaig on the Strathaird Peninsula, the village of Elgol’s scenic attractions are a destination for visitors travelling by boat to see Loch Coruisk and the Small Isles. The cave where Prince Charlie was said to have waited for a boat to the mainland in 1746 is a short walk from the village. The view of the mountain ridge across the Loch is one of the most spectacular in Scotland.

Lying two and half miles off the west coast of the Mull of Kintyre, the island is a mere 6 miles long. Inhabited since prehistoric times, it is the ancestral home of the Clan MacNeil. With a mild climate and high sunshine hours it was a natural location for Sir James Horlick who, in 1944, created the notable gardens at Achamore House with its rhododendrons and azaleas. Today it is a popular destination for many yachts who berth in the bay to sample the seafood at the Island’s ‘Boathouse’ restaurant.

Looking out westwards from above the Crinan basin towards the islands of Jura, Scarba and Luing where the Canal meets the Atlantic Ocean. The nine mile long canal connects the Firth of Clyde through a series of 15 locks with seven bridges and was built in 1801. Queen Victoria sailed through it in 1847 and today over 2000 yachts use it to avoid the long sail and often difficult weather going round the Mull of Kintyre. Famous for its ‘Clyde Puffers’ in the past who plied their trade from Glasgow to the West Highland villages and Islands.