Dunoon

Ferry horns echo across the Firth of Clyde as you approach this Victorian seaside town perched on the Cowal Peninsula. The journey itself sets the tone - a proper Scottish crossing that feels worlds away from the mainland bustle. Dunoon wears its faded elegance well, with grand seafront hotels and tree-lined promenades that speak of grander tourist days.

The town makes an excellent base for serious hillwalking. Creag Mhór and Sgorach Mór dominate the skyline, offering cracking views back across the water on clear days. Further inland, peaks like Cruach Neuran and Blairmore Hill provide more challenging ascents for those wanting to escape the crowds entirely.

Benmore Botanic Garden steals the show, though. These 120 acres of rare plants and towering giant redwoods create an almost otherworldly atmosphere. The formal entrance leads into what feels like a Highland fantasy - all mossy paths and exotic specimens thriving in the mild, wet climate.

Puck's Glen deserves the trek too. This gorge walk follows a series of waterfalls through ancient woodland, feeling properly wild despite being just a short drive from town. The nature reserve protects some stunning native flora that most visitors miss entirely.

Regular CalMac ferries connect Dunoon to Gourock, making it surprisingly accessible from Glasgow in under two hours. The surrounding Cowal Peninsula offers dozens of touring parks and campsites, perfect for exploring both the coast and the Argyll Forest Park without the premium prices of Loch Lomond. Staying at one of the nearby parks like Hunters Quay Holiday Village puts you right on the doorstep of both water sports and mountain adventures.