Our cottage has 2 bedrooms and is a one minute walk from the beach and a ten minute walk from the centre of town, in the picturesque coastal town of Dunoon.
Dunoon is situated on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll in the west of Scotland. It sits on the Firth of Clyde to the south of Holy Loch and to the west of Gourock. It is very easily accessible from both Glasgow (23 miles) and Edinburgh (52 miles) by train (www.firstscot.railsaver.co.uk - 30minutes by direct train from Glasgow airport to Gourock pier - info on that station can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gourock_railway_station).
Once in Gourock there are 2 ferry crossings to Dunoon. The most direct and popular ferry crossing is the Argyll passenger Ferry (http://www.argyllonline.co.uk/index.asp?id=2) which makes the 20-min trip daily. This company is in the process of taking over the old CalMac ferry company (http://www.calmac.co.uk/timetables/calmac-summer-timetables.htm), which at the moment runs every 30 mins from 0620 (Gourock to Dunoon) until 21.05 (Dunoon to Gourock). They do not have a timetable out as yet (coming out in July) but I assume the timetable will be similar in that the ferries run every 30 minutes, and the crossing takes 20 mins. This short journey is really enjoyable and brings you into Dunoon pier (2 minutes from the centre of town) and the cottage is a 10-15 minute walk along the promenade - gorgeous! If it's raining or you'd prefer to catch a taxi, there's a taxi rank at the pier and it's a 5 minute journey away.
There is also a Western Ferries service (car and passenger ferry; http://www.western-ferries.co.uk/) which again takes 20 mins, arriving at Hunter's Quay, a mile north of the town centre. Tel. 01369-704452. This would be the option to go for if you hired a car.
According to tripadvisor (and we agree!) - "the ferry trip across the Firth of Clyde is a fine introduction to the Cowal Peninsula. To the north the mountains surrounding the sealochs of Long and Goil provide a stunning backdrop as the ferry arrives at the busy town of Dunoon, temporarily interrupting those fishing for mackerel off the pier"
The Cowal Peninsula is an area of outstanding scenic beauty and cultural heritage. Please see the website http://www.visitcowal.co.uk for more information, maps etc. and the link http://www.visitcowal.co.uk/how-to-get-here.html for a map of the surrounding area, including the ferry route in visual form from Gourock to Dunoon.
Dunoon is Cowal's principal community and grew in the late 1800s to cater for the visitor. Today it boasts a range of hotels, shops and eating places, with something for every taste and every pocket. Built around two sheltered bays, Dunoon is the home of the world's premier highland games, the Cowal Gathering and offers a range of sporting activities including golf, fishing, mountain-biking and ,of course, sailing and other water-based sports. The various pleasure cruises available offer the ideal way to sit back and enjoy the coastal scenery. Dunoon is also the seaboard gateway to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park - the first National Park in Scotland.
Further information about Dunoon can be found on wikipedia (!) at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunoon
There are local bus services so you can explore the surrounding area - Ardentinny and Inverary in particular are lovely places to visit (http://www.westcoastmotors.co.uk/timetables.aspx)
There are also cruises aboard the famous 'Waverley' - the last remaining, fully functioning paddle steamer.
Open to suggestions, love Australia (Gold Coast, Sunshine coast, Sydney, Melbourne) - and Europe for weekend getaways!
Additional information:
Open and flexible to suggestions for exchanges so please get in touch!
About Home Exchange Owners:
I am a 30 year old, experienced exchanger, who loves travelling. I write travel stories and work as a consultant psychologist.
Home Exchange Features:
Amenities:
Fireplace,
Garden,
Microwave,
Refrigerator,
Television
Activities/Attractions:
Biking,
Boating,
Close to bus/train,
Fishing,
Golf,
Hiking,
Mountain-Biking,
Near attractions,
Other Attractions,
Public Swimming Pool,
Sailing,
Tennis,
Wildlife Viewing
Other Conditions:
Children welcome,
Experienced home exchanger,
Gay/Lesbian friendly,
No Smoking,
Non-Simultaneous Exchange OK,
This is a Second Home
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