Old Argyll House - Seven Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 16

Located just a few minutes from Dunoon on the stunning Cowal Peninsula on the southern edge of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Old Argyll House is a fabulous bet for those that love fresh air and the great outdoors. Built around the historic Castle Mound and famous for its iconic Victorian pier, Dunoon offers much with a fantastic array of craft shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, boat trips and an excellent museum. It is a fabulous base to explore the beautiful surroundings including the Holy Loch, the mystical Puck’s Glen and the sensational Benmore Botanic Garden. The Holy Loch forms part of the the Cowal Peninsula coast of the Firth of Clyde with its name dating from the sixth century. Spreading north from the Holy Loch is the stunning Ardentinny Peninsula, home to beautiful beaches and woodland. It is part of the Argyll Forest Park. The whole area is famous for its scenic splendour. Favoured walks from Old Argyll House include Pucks Glen, the Ardnadam Heritage Trail, Glen Finnairt, the Ardentinny Forest, the Cowal Way and the fabulous Kilmun Arboretum. The house is very popular for yoga retreats and other events as well as being a fantastic holiday home for groups of friends or family. With seven bedrooms, Old Argyll House sleeps up to sixteen guests and boasts some fabulous treats including a sauna, hot tub and billiard table. For events, there is a wonderful yurt in the grounds.

Old Argyll House was originally built in 1696 by the Duke of Argyll. During the nineteenth century, the house was home to James Duncan who founded the nearby Benmore Botanic Garden. The current owners bought the property in 2019 and have renovated and refurbished it whilst retaining its magical character. It is a cherished, comfortable place to stay. The house boasts fabulous living spaces, a very grand dining room, seven bedrooms, a games room and gorgeous gardens. Some of the rooms and the grounds enjoy the most breathtaking views of Holy Loch. Old Argyll House is a blissful, dreamy haven so it is not suprising that yoga enthusiasts have found it for their wellness retreats. Burt the Yurt sits quietly in the gardens with mats, bolsters, eye pillows, bricks and a wood burning stove. If you want to book the yurt, there is an additional cost. The house is also popular for intimate weddings and other special events.

Sitting in lush, colourful gardens, Old Argyll House boasts a beautiful facade with period sash windows and mellow stonework. Inside, a huge living room offers comfy leather sofas, a feature fireplace, a giant mirror and some wonderful modern artwork. The kitchen is a modern space with a shaker style kitchen, a small island and a delightful breakfast area. The dining room enjoys characterful panelling, another fireplace and antique furnishings, not to mention gorgeous garden views. With the fire roaring, it is a splendid room for a celebratory meal. The lower ground floor is home to a games room with a billiard table.

Five of the seven bedrooms are located on the first floor along with two family bathrooms. The third family bathroom is on the ground floor.  Four of the bedrooms enjoy stunning views of the loch. Two of these offer flexible sleeping arrangements with beds that can be set up as super kingsize beds or singles. Two other bedrooms with loch views offer double beds, all dressed with crisp Egyptian cottons. The bedroom facing the other side of the property also offers a bed that can be arranged as a super kingsize bed or twins. There is a wonderful range of vintage and modern furnishings, all beautifully presented. The bathrooms are gorgeous with roll top or freestanding modern baths and/or showers and with luxurious toiletries. The remaining two bedrooms are on the top floor, both with three single beds. They are cosy attic rooms with charming sloping ceilings.

The gardens are stunning, perfect for alfresco dining, dips in the six person hot tub and walks to the loch. Children are not forgotten with football nets on the lawn. The sauna is an indulgent addition to the house, perfect for relaxation and unwinding. It is so beautiful at Old Argyll House, you may feel like staying put but the surrounding scenery will beckon you. You cannot miss Pucks Glen and the stunning Benmore Gardens!

Features:

Lower Ground Floor (Basement)
- TV & DVD
- 3/4 billiards table

Ground Floor
- Drawing room with fireplace
- Fully-equipped kitchen with a Rangemaster cooker, oven, microwave, fridge freezer and dishwasher
- Dining room with seating for 10 (9 additional people can be sat around the table on extra chairs)
- Bathroom with shower

First Floor
- Bedroom with king-size bed and loch view
- Bedroom with double bed and loch view
- Bedroom with double bed and loch view
- Bedroom with king-size bed and loch view
- Bedroom with double bed
- Family bathroom with sauna, rolltop bath and rainfall shower
- Family bathroom with rainfall shower
- Claokroom with WC

Second Floor
- Bedroom with three single beds
- Bedroom with three single beds

Exterior Grounds
- Large gardens
- Hot tub with loch view (please see T&Cs for additional cost)
- Two football goals
- Barbecue
- Seating
- Picnic table
- Stream with waterfall


Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Smart TV with access to Netflix, Prime etc
- Washing machine & dryer
- DVD player
- Plenty of parking

Location:

Old Argyll House enjoys a fabulous position overlooking Holy Loch and just minutes from Dunoon. Surrounded by glorious countryside, forests, walking trails and stunning gardens, it is an idyllic spot on the southern edge of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.The nearby Benmore Botanic Garden is known for its beautiful collections of rhododendrons and conifers grown to immense stature on its mountainous landscape. The gardens boasts one hundred and twenty acres full of world-famous plant collections from the Himalaya, China, Japan and North and South America. Its one hundred and fifty year old, towering Redwood Avenue is a fantastic entrance to the botanic gardens along with its other mighty Douglas firs, Scots pines and Monkey puzzle trees. Amongst the plants and trees are traditional Bhutanese and Chilean pavilions, golden gates and a pretty pond. The garden’s wildlife includes red squirrels, sparrow hawks and the occasional golden eagle. A winding path leads to the Fernery sitting in the middle of rocky cliffs. The Holy Loch is a sea loch measuring one mile wide by up to three miles long depending on the tide. The National Park edges the northern shore of the loch. During World War II, the loch was used as a British Royal Navy submarine base. The loch is known to sailors as the ‘marine gateway to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park’. Visitors enjoy boat ad yacht hire and kayakers enjoy paddling on the tidal waters. Above the loch, the Ardentinny Peninsula boasts the fantastic Argyll Forest Park. A five mile walk takes you to the small summit of Stone Hill or you can head to the Conifer Trail, the John Jackson Trail or the Kilmun arboretum. Further afield, guests staying at Old Argyll House enjoy trips to Inveraray Castle, the Inveraray tall bell tower, the jail and the ruins of Rob Roy’s house, all in Inveraray. Loch Lomond is only one hour away so you shouldn’t miss it for a lochside stroll or a boat trip. There are plenty of places for a hearty Scottish breakfast or an afternoon tea. You can also visit the Kyles of Bute with its stunning views of the Island of Bute or you can take the ferry from Colintraive to visit the island. Bute is gorgeous. Rothesay is a good stop on the island with a castle and museum. You can also drive to Maccrahanish on the Mull of Kintyre peninsula. You really are spoilt for choice. There are some quaint villages on the way to most of these places including Tighnabruich and Kames. Ostel Bay, just beyond Tighnabruich is stunning.  Golf fans will be happy to find several golf courses nearby including Strone’s 9-hole course a mile away and Innellan’s course approximately 15 minutes away. Cowal offers an 18-hole course and Tighnabruich’s course enjoys fabulous views up the Kyles of Bute. Guests are welcome to use the four sets of clubs at Old Argyll House. There are also bikes at the house that you are welcome to use. The River Eck is one of the most extensive trout stretches in the West of Scotland. There are some good options for loch and river fishing locally with daily and weekly permits available. The owners have some basic kit at the house for guests’ use.

Terms & Conditions:

?
£900 paid to the owner one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.

4pm

10am

Yes, included in the rental price.

Yes, included in the rental price.

Please request at the time of booking. There is a maximum of 2 dogs allowed charged at £30 per dog, per stay.

Please note that there is an additional charge of £100 for use of the hot tub and sauna for weekend stays, this is £150 for longer stays. This is to be paid to OT. Please enquire for further information.

Friday during July & August. Flexible during all other periods.

Yes. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival.

No.

Please note that the total maximum number of guests allowed at any one time is 16 adults and 2 children. Please let us know if you have particular requirements regarding the bed set up.

The lead booker must be 30 years of age and a copy of ID for adult guests will be required on arrival.

3 nights. This may be increased to 7-nights across July, August & Festive dates.

Wi-Fi internet access included.

Strictly no stag, hen parties or single sex groups allowed at this property. The owner reserves the right to cancel the booking and retain the security deposit if guests do not comply on arrival.
Pets - allowed
Smoking - not allowed