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GOOD THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN DUNOON
CORLARACH FOREST & BISHOP'S GLEN - A LITTLE WALK
The Forestry Commission Scotland has produced a number of superb leaflets with maps and details of walking routes in the area, and I would highly recommend that you pick a few of them up. In fact, probably the first thing you should do on arrival in Dunoon is visit the Tourist Information Office just along from the pier, and gather maps and leaflets and any free sweeties available on the counter. The Forestry Commission leaflets you should ask for are 'Corlarach - A Guide to Dunoon's Forest,' and one titled 'Argyll Forest Park.' Walks in the area of Bishop's Glen are marked on them both. You will see a range of walks, all colour coded and varying in distance. They range from short 3 mile jaunts that will take you an hour, up to whopping 17-milers that will take you all day.
I should stress that even with an appropriate Ordnance Survey map at hand (Landranger Sheet 63, Firth of Clyde, 1:50000 scale or one-and-a-quarter-inches to a mile), forests are often difficult places to navigate your way through, even when on a wide track. The presence of trees means there is little opportunity to see far-off features and get your bearings. And because it is a working forest, new roads are being created all the time, making it difficult to marry what you find on the ground with what's on your map. Just because your leaflet tells you the routes are way-marked and colour-coded does not mean you should just set off with no thought whatsoever. Think about it beforehand, become familiar with your map, carry a compass and know how to use it, and work out how long a walk should take you. You should also be familiar with the 'Scottish Outdoor Access Code,' and if you're not then don't go. It's as simple as that. It might initially sound like a lot to take in and a whole lot of hassle, but over a period of time it will become second nature and you will then be able to just enjoy the great and utterly stupendous Great Outdoors. Go for it!
The Forestry Commission Scotland has produced a number of superb leaflets with maps and details of walking routes in the area, and I would highly recommend that you pick a few of them up. In fact, probably the first thing you should do on arrival in Dunoon is visit the Tourist Information Office just along from the pier, and gather maps and leaflets and any free sweeties available on the counter. The Forestry Commission leaflets you should ask for are 'Corlarach - A Guide to Dunoon's Forest,' and one titled 'Argyll Forest Park.' Walks in the area of Bishop's Glen are marked on them both. You will see a range of walks, all colour coded and varying in distance. They range from short 3 mile jaunts that will take you an hour, up to whopping 17-milers that will take you all day.
I should stress that even with an appropriate Ordnance Survey map at hand (Landranger Sheet 63, Firth of Clyde, 1:50000 scale or one-and-a-quarter-inches to a mile), forests are often difficult places to navigate your way through, even when on a wide track. The presence of trees means there is little opportunity to see far-off features and get your bearings. And because it is a working forest, new roads are being created all the time, making it difficult to marry what you find on the ground with what's on your map. Just because your leaflet tells you the routes are way-marked and colour-coded does not mean you should just set off with no thought whatsoever. Think about it beforehand, become familiar with your map, carry a compass and know how to use it, and work out how long a walk should take you. You should also be familiar with the 'Scottish Outdoor Access Code,' and if you're not then don't go. It's as simple as that. It might initially sound like a lot to take in and a whole lot of hassle, but over a period of time it will become second nature and you will then be able to just enjoy the great and utterly stupendous Great Outdoors. Go for it!
MORAG'S FAIRY GLEN
Now back to something approaching its former glory, with improved pathways, renewed bridges, memories and... the little people. If you simply stand very still and very quietly in the glen, strange things may happen. You may hear leaves rustling or feel a faint wisp of breeze. That's them... the fairies - come to check you out and make sure you're not goblins. Morag's Fairy Glen is not far from the Glenmorag Hotel, and marked on a few of the maps you can pick up at Dunoon's excellent Tourist Information Office near the pier.
Now back to something approaching its former glory, with improved pathways, renewed bridges, memories and... the little people. If you simply stand very still and very quietly in the glen, strange things may happen. You may hear leaves rustling or feel a faint wisp of breeze. That's them... the fairies - come to check you out and make sure you're not goblins. Morag's Fairy Glen is not far from the Glenmorag Hotel, and marked on a few of the maps you can pick up at Dunoon's excellent Tourist Information Office near the pier.
CASTLE HILL
I didn't manage to see inside Castle House Museum during my visit as it's only open from Easter to October. But that doesn't really matter. The view from the adjacent Castle Hill over the whole town of Dunoon is stunning, and one you should not miss. You also have the nearby statue of Highland Mary, 'who was born in Dunoon in 1764 and immortalised by Robert Burns, Scotland's National Poet'.
I didn't manage to see inside Castle House Museum during my visit as it's only open from Easter to October. But that doesn't really matter. The view from the adjacent Castle Hill over the whole town of Dunoon is stunning, and one you should not miss. You also have the nearby statue of Highland Mary, 'who was born in Dunoon in 1764 and immortalised by Robert Burns, Scotland's National Poet'.
A LITTLE CYCLE
The way-marked routes mentioned above are also suitable for bicycles.
The way-marked routes mentioned above are also suitable for bicycles.
CORLARACH LOOP - A BIG WALK
This is 17 miles of forest, and best outlined in the 'Corlarach - A Guide to Dunoon's Forest' leaflet. For someone who walks a lot, 17 miles is a good day's walk. If you're not sure how long 17 miles will take you, then don't go. The fairies in Morag's Glen cannot be relied upon to save you if you come unstuck. If you decide to tackle this, it would be best to have the leaflet and map and know what the route looks like before you head for Dunoon.
This is 17 miles of forest, and best outlined in the 'Corlarach - A Guide to Dunoon's Forest' leaflet. For someone who walks a lot, 17 miles is a good day's walk. If you're not sure how long 17 miles will take you, then don't go. The fairies in Morag's Glen cannot be relied upon to save you if you come unstuck. If you decide to tackle this, it would be best to have the leaflet and map and know what the route looks like before you head for Dunoon.
PUCK'S GLEN - LITTLE WALKS OF WONDER
A variety of colour-coded way-marked walks are available in the area, and best described in the Forestry Commission Scotland's excellent leaflet, 'Argyll Forest Park' (pick the leaflet up in the Tourist Information Office in Dunoon). Puck's Glen is around 6 miles north of Dunoon, along the A815 road. It's about a mile north of where the A815 and the A880 meet, at the north end of the Holy Loch. The correct Ordnance Survey map for the area is the Landranger Map 56, Loch Lomond & Inveraray, 1:50000 scale or one-and-a-quarter inches to a mile. Apart from being an utterly magical place of tinkling dells and misty gorges, if you can somehow manage an extra 3 miles north along the A815, you will magically bump into the Coylet Inn, by Loch Eck, where good local ale may be had, not to mention a glorious log fire. Worth that three miles more. (The Coylet Inn may close on certain days, and it would be prudent to check before you set out. You may be able to call them on 01369 840426.)
A variety of colour-coded way-marked walks are available in the area, and best described in the Forestry Commission Scotland's excellent leaflet, 'Argyll Forest Park' (pick the leaflet up in the Tourist Information Office in Dunoon). Puck's Glen is around 6 miles north of Dunoon, along the A815 road. It's about a mile north of where the A815 and the A880 meet, at the north end of the Holy Loch. The correct Ordnance Survey map for the area is the Landranger Map 56, Loch Lomond & Inveraray, 1:50000 scale or one-and-a-quarter inches to a mile. Apart from being an utterly magical place of tinkling dells and misty gorges, if you can somehow manage an extra 3 miles north along the A815, you will magically bump into the Coylet Inn, by Loch Eck, where good local ale may be had, not to mention a glorious log fire. Worth that three miles more. (The Coylet Inn may close on certain days, and it would be prudent to check before you set out. You may be able to call them on 01369 840426.)
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