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The grounds of Abbot's Brae plays host to frequentvisits of roe deer, red squirrels and an abundance of bird-life, whilst with the ever changing views of the Firth of Clyde makes it hard to look away. Dunoon and the Argyll Forest Park is the Western Gateway to the Loch Lomond National Park which is blessed with lavish land and seascapes and few areas can match it for it's range of leisure opportunities; such as scenic drives, local crafts, rambling, sailing, fishing, hill-walking, boat trips, historical sites, pony-trekking and golf. We will be happy to assist in arranging any of these activities.

Whatever the time of year, whatever the weather, whatever stirs your passions, there's something for everyone outdoors in the Cowal Peninsula. From the tranquillity of Paddle Steamer cruising, hill walking and trout fly fishing to the excitement of quad-biking, wind-surfing and high speed rib boat trips. Where else could you find all of these attractions on hill, mountain, sea and loch grouped together with a backdrop of some of Scotland 's most beautiful scenery?

Lamont Room

Our very spacious sea-facing Master bedroom or Bridal Suite, ideal for a celebration or a romantic getaway, benefits from a large four-poster bed, choice of seating areas and a bathroom suite with double-ended bath and separate shower. This room has never failed to impress!

Clan Lamont (stress the first syllable and say LAmont) was the most important clan on the Cowal peninsula until a number of savage and merciless battles with the Campbell clan ended the Lamont vice-like grip over the area. The principal Lamont stronghold was at the now ruined Castle Toward (rhyme it with Howard) , which is still visible through the arched gateway just the other side of Toward village.

Ardlamont (it means the promontory of the Lamonts) is south of Kames, near Tighnabruaich. Ardlamont House became the home of the Chief of the Clan Lamont after the destruction of Castle Toward in the 17 th century and remained in the family until 1893. Lamont is the anglicised form of the Gaelic word Laomunn, which came from the Norse to mean a law-man, which is odd considering that the Lamont idea of law and order was murder and mayhem.

Benmore Room

A spacious sea-facing bedroom on the second floor with a four-poster bed and two large comfy armchairs to enjoy the ever-changing views. The luxurious bathroom has a bath with shower overhead and even has a loo with a view!

Benmore - The big mountain; Beinn – a mountain; Mor – large or big

Find Benmore itself and the beautiful Benmore Botanic Gardens just a short drive from the head of The Holy Loch, north of Dunoon on the A815. A joy to visit in any season, the gardens are especially stunning at rhododendron time in late April through May, and for their awesome autumn colours.

The Giant Redwood avenue is a must-see. Now part of the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh, the estate was first planted in the 1820s. Benmore house, which some say resembles a fairy castle, is now an outdoor education centre. For a better view of ‘the big mountain’, there is a fabulous walk through the gardens. Ask there for directions.

Alternatively, stay on the main road and glance to your left over the always spectacular Loch Eck, the horse loch. Just south of Benmore is Puck’s Glen - a fabulous ravine of tumbling waterfalls - well worth a visit.

Benmore bathroom

The luxurious bathroom has a bath with shower overhead and even has a loo with a view!

The views from the Benmore Room and Bathroom are stunning - see the later pictures!

Ardentinny Room

A large sea-facing bedroom on the second floor with a choice of either a super king-size or twin beds with a stunning vista of the Firth of Clyde with views from Largs to Helensburgh which can be enjoyed from the comfortable seating area. There is a panelled ensuite bathroom with overhead shower. This room can be adapted to suit families of 2 adults and 2 children.

Ardentinny - The headland of the fire.
Ard or Aird - high, headland or promontory;
an - ‘of the’;
teine – fire

Ardentinny is a picturesque village on the west side of Loch Long on the A880. Fires may have been used here to warn of approaching danger (there was a lot of it about during the continuing battles between the Campbells and the Lamonts!). The lighting of bonfires – or Beltane fires – could also be linked to the worship of the Celtic god of light, Bel or Belinus. But the simplest and most likely reason was its use as a signal for a ferry to cross from Coulport on the opposite shore.

Lachlan Room

Situated on the second floor with views of the garden, this bedroom has a double bed with pine furniture and a large luxurious bathroom reminiscent of days gone by with a bath and shower overhead.

Lochlann – sea loch land (a general Gaelic term for Scandinavia)

Take the B8000 coast road southwards – on the eastern shore of Loch Fyne – and you’ll come to Lachlan Bay and the 15 th century Castle Lachlan, a ncestral home of the Clan Lachlan, yet another Scottish tribe with a turbulent history. Even though they were allied by marriage to the Lamonts and the Campbells (it’s called keeping your options open), having a foothold in both these argumentative camps didn’t seem to benefit them.

Nor did their clan motto fortis et fidus meaning brave and loyal. In 1646, the Reverend Colin Maclachlan took part in the butchery of the Lamonts at Dunoon (and you thought the local parson was supposed to be peace-loving and tolerant?). In 1715 and again in 1745, when the Lachlans supported the Jacobite cause, the castle was occupied on both occasions by Campbell Militiamen under the Campbell Captain of Dunoon. And when the Lachlan Clan Chief died as a result of his wounds at the battle of Culloden in 1746, a ship was sent to Loch Fyne to blast his castle to ruins.

Wherever possible we try and source our ingredients from the best local suppliers.

Our Beef is Scottish born, raised and slaughtered and hung for 21 days to give extra flavour and tenderness.

Our bread is homemade and all dishes are made daily. Wherever possible we change our menu each day.

We also cater for special diets – all we need is some notice. If you have special requests we will be happy to discuss them with you, just let us know when booking!

Our fish and shellfish comes from the West Coast if possible and Loch Fyne in particular.

This picture and the one below are courtesy of Scottish Field. They were taken in May 2007 for an article in the magazine. A copy of the article is available in the hotel.

All our sweets and puddings are home made so there should be something on the menu to please you!

We also serve a selection of Scottish cheese on every menu - a perfect end to your meal and ideal with a glass of port!

Abbot's Brae is situated in one of the finest positions in the Western Highlands, standing peacefully in its own two acre secluded woodland garden with breath taking views of the seas and surrounding hills!

This is the view from the front of the hotel looking across the river Clyde to Gourock!

The Cowal Peninsula reaches out into the Firth of Clyde, framed by Loch Fyne and Loch Long. This is the most visited part of Argyll due to its proximity to Glasgow, but, despite the summer hordes, much of it is undisturbed. Most people head straight for Dunoon, the main ferry port and one of the major Clyde seaside resorts, leaving more adventurous souls to enjoy the forests and mountains of Argyll Forest Park in the north or the peace and tranquillity of the southwest coastline.

We're very 'pet-friendly' at Abbot's Brae so you need not worry about bringing your dog..or dogs!

The hotel sits in over 2 acres of woodland garden which you are free to enjoy and is surounded by Morags Fairy Glen - a delightful walk through woodland and around the Berry Burn.

The northern part of the peninsula is largely covered by the sprawling Argyll Forest Park which extends from Loch Lomond south to Holy Loch. This area contains the most stunning scenery in Cowal, and includes the Arrochar Alps, a range of rugged peaks north of Glen Croe which offer some of the best climbing in Argyll. The most famous of these is Ben Arthur (2,891 ft), better known as "The Cobbler, but this, and the other " Alps " are only for the more serious hill walker

This is a picture of the sun rise taken from the hotel.

As we face east we often enjoy red skys in the morning - a great awakening!

Dunoon today still retains a Victorian flavour, with a four-mile promenade backed by graceful Victorian villas. Facing the pier is Castle Hill, where Provost Ewing's house still stands. It's currently under conversion to a Heritage Centre.

Lower down the hill, in the Castle Gardens, stands the statue of Highland Mary, which has the same sort of significance to travellers on the Clyde as the Statue of Liberty has to New Yorkers. Mary Campbell was born at Auchamore Farm, Dunoon, the daughter of a local shipowner.

Abbot’s Brae is the perfect setting for small, intimate weddings, whether it is for a House Party Wedding catering for parties up to 24 or just for 2!

The ceremony can take place within the hotel and gardens or at the historic, picturesque Castle House, Dunoon’s Registry Office, situated on the hill overlooking the Victorian Pier and located only one mile away. We can put you in touch with the local Minister or the Registrar to make the necessary arrangements.

We believe that every wedding is different and personal to the Bride and Groom. We are happy to discuss your requirements with you to ensure that your Wedding Day is all you wish for and more.