Abbots Brae Hotel
Built in the mid-19th century as a private home for a wealthy Glasgow glass maker, Abbots Brae in the town of Dunoon is just a mile from the pier and the Glasgow ferry. The hotel looks out over the Firth of Clyde, and its extensive gardens harbor several species of wildlife. Guests may catch a glimpse of roe deer and many different kinds of birds.
Each of the eight hotel's luxurious bedrooms is named for one of the Cowal Peninsula's natural attractions and decorated accordingly with pictures of its namesake. All rooms have private baths, color TV, hair dryers, direct-dial phones and radio clocks. Seven of the rooms have sea or garden views, and the eighth, a ground-floor room, is ideal for those who have difficulty navigating stairs.
Guests are welcomed with hospitality trays, and the hotel restaurant offers a daily three-course dinner menu featuring such Scottish classics as haggis, turnips and potatoes with malt whiskey sauce, fillet of beef with bubble and squeak cake and a strawberry shortbread tower with ice cream.
Abbots Brae
West Bay
Dunoon, Argyllshire, Scotland PA23 7QJ
abbotsbrae.co.uk/
The Coylet Inn
The four-room Coylet Inn, a 17th-century coaching stop, sits on the eastern shore of Loch Eck, a seven-mile strip of deep blue water in the Loch Lomond National Park about 20 minutes north of the Dunoon town center. Guests may hire one of the Inn's boats and explore the Loch to their hearts' content. The surrounding mountains rise dramatically from the Loch's shore, increasing the sense of isolation.
On the Loch's western bank is the cave that played a significant role in Scottish history as the 17th-century hiding place of the Campbell family's personal documents. The Inn can also provide fishing permits.
The four-AA Diamond hotel has three double rooms and one twin room, all of which have a view either of the Loch or of the glen stretching behind the hotel. The Inn provides a full menu of homemade lunches and dinners that change daily according to the what local produce, fish and meat is available. They offer at least one vegetarian option every day.
Coylet Inn
Loch Eck
Dunoon, Argyll Scotland PA23 8SG
coyletinn.co.uk/default.html
The Whistlefield Inn
The Whistlefield Inn on Loch Eck's western shore dates back to 1455. For centuries, it served as a drover's inn and is now protected as an historic structure. The Inn has eight rooms and a 20-bed bunkhouse, a favorite with area climbers and hikers.
Like the Coylet, the Whistlefield can provide its guests with fishing permits. It will also connect guests with local guides familiar with all the Loch's best fishing spots.
The Inn serves meals in both the bar with its log fireplace and in the family room for those traveling with children. There is a full-service restaurant, but it must be booked in advance. The menu features local produce, fish and meats whenever possible. The thoroughly Scottish Balmoral Burger combines Aberdeen Angus beef and Ayrshire haggis.
The Inn's eight en-suite rooms have comfortable baths but no TVs.
The Whistlefield Inn
Loch Eck by Dunoon
Argyll & Bute, Scotland PA23 8SA
whistlefield.com/
