2 Argyll & Bute



Calgary beach and bus terminus, west coast of Mull (Photo: © Douglas Blades)

Argyll and Bute lies at the southern extremity of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and exhibits a wide variety of scenery. From the mountainous uplands in the north, the rolling farmland and pastures of Kintyre and Bute in the south, the islands and lochs of its western Atlantic seaboard, to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and the Clyde Estuary. There are bus services to nearly all towns and villages within the area.

Helensburgh is easily accessible by rail or bus from Glasgow. Dunoon and Rothesay are reached by ferries with connecting bus and rail services. A network of local bus services radiates from both towns. Regular scheduled coach services link Glasgow with Argyll's other principal towns: Campbeltown, Inveraray, Lochgilphead and in the case of Oban also by rail. Onward connections are available by ferry to the islands of Coll, Colonsay, Gigha, Iona, Islay, Jura, Mull and Tiree.

TIMETABLE ENQUIRIES

All times available from Traveline: 0871 200 22 33 or log onto www.travelinescotland.com
Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station; for bus station information other than times 0141 333 3708.
Argyll and Bute Council - Public Transport Helpline for information other than times; 0900 to 1700 Mondays to Fridays 01546 604379 or email public.transport@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Council website with links to timetables: www.argyll-bute.gov.uk

OPERATORS (MAIN BUS SERVICES)

Anderson Coaches 01546 870330
Bowmans Coaches 01860 812313
Islay Bus Services 01496 840273
Scottish Citylink Coaches 0871 266 3333
West Coast Motors (all offices) 01586 552319

OPERATORS (FERRY SERVICES)

Argyll and Bute Council 01631 569160
Caledonian MacBrayne 01475 650100

TOURIST INFORMATION

Bowmore (Isle of Islay): 01496 810254
Campbeltown: 01586 552056
Craignure (Isle of Mull): 01680 812377
Dunoon: 01369 703785
Inveraray: 01499 302063
Oban: 01631 563122
Rothesay: 01700 502151

These Tourist Information Centres are open all year.

SUGGESTED TRIPS (by ferry and bus)

Iona full day trip from Oban.
Mull (Seasonal) Narrow Gauge Steam Railway, Torosay Castle and Gardens, Duart Castle - day trip from Oban.
Dunoon - Inveraray Inveraray Castle, Jail and Bell Tower.
Mount Stuart (Bute) ferry from Wemyss Bay then bus. Inclusive ticket available from CalMac during summer season.
Kyles of Bute (peak Summer) bus out from Dunoon or Rothesay to Tighnabruaich via famous viewpoint and return by paddle steamer 'Waverley'. Possible either way, Wed and Sat.

See also - Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.