What to do and see in Argyll and Bute, Scotland: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas

September 1, 2021 Leida Jutras

Discover the best top things to do in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom including Puck's Glen, Finn Falconry, Taynish National Nature Reserve, Parsley the Ambassador Cat, Kintail Birds of Prey Argyll, Scottish Beaver Trial, Loch Eck, Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve, Machrihanish Seabird & Wildlife Observatory, Kilmun Arboretum.
Restaurants in Argyll and Bute

1. Puck's Glen

Opp Benmore Gardens, Benmore PA23 8QT Scotland http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/argyll/pucks-glen.shtml
Excellent
90%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 356 reviews

Puck's Glen

Reviewed By EmmaA512 - Newark-on-Trent, United Kingdom

There are several walks up and down through the forest here, but the walk along the gorge is the highlight! Really great. Recommend using the Argyll Forest Park Map and Trail guide which is free to access online on the Scottish forestry and land website. This also shows where to park and facilities.

2. Finn Falconry

Inverawe Country Park Taynuilt, Oban PA35 1HU Scotland +44 1631 710732 [email protected] http://www.finnfalconry.co.uk
Excellent
98%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 202 reviews

Finn Falconry

WE ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THE WINTER OPENING AGAIN AT EASTER 2021, WITH ALL THE NECCESSARY PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE, TO PROTECT EVERYONE. ALL EXPERIENCES ARE PRIVATE, PERSONAL AND BESPOKE TO YOURSELVES: BY APPOINTMENT ONLY - WE ARE NOT A FALCONRY CENTRE AND ARE EXPERIENCES ARE ONLY CARRIED OUT IN THE AFTERNOON- PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR BOOKING AND FURTHER INFO An interactive, mobile Falconry company, which champions raptor conservation through education and engagement, utilising the power, beauty, agility and grace of birds of prey, providing the following: Hawk Walks; Falcon Experiences; Flying and Static Displays; Weddings; Educational Talks; Photographic and Educational Workshops . Set in the ruggedly, beautiful Argyll countryside.

Reviewed By AmyC945 - Royal Oak, United States

Book this if you stay near Oban. Book this if you have to drive 3 hours. Book this if you even remotely like animals because you can tell Paul really loves what he does and is lucky enough to do it for a living. This was worth it just to be able to see these truly awe inspiring birds of prey in their natural habitat and that they were so gentle and beautiful was unexpected. Paul spent well over 90 min with us, totally on our own.. no other guests. He was patient, so informative and never once did this feel like a lecture about birds. It was more like he and they let us into their little family group for a few hours and we were so so lucky. I know this sounds over done.. it’s not. It was pouring rain at first and I hate rain and did not even care I was so blown away. So great. Do it.

3. Taynish National Nature Reserve

Tayvallich PA31 8PW Scotland +44 1546 603611 http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/taynish/
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 11 reviews

Taynish National Nature Reserve

4. Parsley the Ambassador Cat

Avoncraig Duncraggan Road, Oban PA34 5DT Scotland +44 7896 093064 http://www.facebook.com/ParsleyOban/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 20 reviews

Parsley the Ambassador Cat

Parsley is a Red Tabby Maine Coon with a fondness for wandering. He visits local landmarks, hotels, bars, churches, private homes and his favourite pub The Balmoral. He has an international following on Facebook and people travel to meet him at his One Cat Cafe in New Hope, Soroba Road from 2-3pm every Friday. He's placid, has impeccable manners and is an ambassador for Oban.

Reviewed By brinssl

We met Misha (Parsley's "sister") at McCaig's Tower and were thoroughly smitten. She curled up on my lap and had a snooze! Two weeks in Scotland and one of my very favorite photographs is Misha laying in my lap. :-)

5. Kintail Birds of Prey Argyll

Kintail Eredine Village, Argyll, Dalmally PA33 1BP Scotland +44 1866 844238 [email protected] http://www.kintailbirdsofprey.co.uk
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 32 reviews

Kintail Birds of Prey Argyll

Private Falconry centre bookings by phone or online required, specialising in Native British birds of prey, over 25 on display set in stunning grounds overlooking Loch Awe the longest fresh water loch in Scotland. Offering one hour tour, mini Falconry experience 1.5hrs or Half day Falconry Experiences 3.5hrs open all year round booking available on line. No large mixed groups exclusive Falconry experiences meet, fly and photograph our magnificent birds. Bookings must be made in advance, as we are a private centre booking strictly by appointment. Card machine facilities, gift shop, toilet facilities, complimentary tea/coffee.

Reviewed By OPO-VP

My brother-in-law and I are both avid birders and love birds of prey. We never expected such an amazing experience. Far exceeded our expectation. Please read the other reviews as most say what I am feeling much more eloquently. While the birds were special beyound our belief, Joanne’s passion for them, her love of the sport, her care of her flock, and her knowledge blew me away. If you have any interest in birds, or this historic sport of King’s you must go. I’ll return to Scotland from the USA just to spend more time with Joanne and her birds. YES, that is how special this experience is.

6. Scottish Beaver Trial

Knapdale Forest, Lochgilphead PA31 8SN Scotland http://scottishbeavers.org.uk
Excellent
56%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Scottish Beaver Trial

Reviewed By ElizabethO6387VA - New Forest National Park Hampshire, United Kingdom

Really enjoyed the walk around the loch, saw lots of beaver evidence, the gnaw marks were great, and really enjoyed seeing their enormous lodge. Didn’t expect to see the beavers as we walked at about 11am so weren’t looking too hard. Trail is very easy, no particularly steep or rocky sections but interesting, particularly the more winding side of the loch. Also lovely wildlife centre up the road with free compost toilets. Great social distancing, even have a marquee erected outside for you to wait if a group were already inside. Lovely guide gave lots of information about where exactly to find lodges, dams, where the territories of the different groups of beavers are. Especially helpful information that the beavers no longer live in the loch that the info leaflet tells you they do. Without his hand drawn map we wouldn’t have spotted one of the lodges. Also saw a red squirrel on the feeders they have just outside the hut.

7. Loch Eck

Loch Eck PA23 8SG Scotland http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/argyll-forest-park/loch-eck
Excellent
75%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 28 reviews

Loch Eck

8. Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve

Lochgilphead PA31 8QF Scotland +44 1546 603611 [email protected] http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/moine-mhor/
Excellent
43%
Good
57%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve

Reviewed By hfulton32 - Paisley, United Kingdom

I love this place: it's the largest remaining stretch of peat bog in Europe and has a stunning atmosphere. You come in through a small car park with info boards and walk through the tileworks trail, which winds through a wooded area, with little tiles inset into the ground and carefully placed benches. There are also sweet little houses made of tile hidden in various spots, which is nice for children's imaginations and catching their interest.There was a tileworks nearby so this celebrates that part of the area's history. You can enjoy the trees, plants, mosses and lichens as you go along main or smaller paths.. Some trees are huge, fallen monsters with weird shaped roots. There are still the remains of old basketwork sculptures up in the tops if you stay eagle eyed. The main attraction tho is the moss itself with its pool, plants, birds, sphagnum and other mosses, heather and cotton plants. It stretches all around with hills and trees as a frame and you can see Dunadd rising out of it. At the end of the trail is a wooden walkway like the Celts had that takes you out to some seats and the pool. This is a wonderful place to sit, maybe enjoy a sandwich/break and to sketch/paint. It is very rarely busy tho easy to reach along the road from or towards Crinan Canal. It has quite an eerie feel at times, and I wonder if there are any bog bodies in the peat or if this was important to the beliefs of ancient peoples who lived here - certainly the Celts felt places where elements mixed (earth, air, water) were gateways to another world and would throw in metal objects as gifts to Gods/ancestors. Origins of our throwing coins into water? Definitely recommended for any age. Watch out tho it gets v soggy in wet weather, but it is all wheelchair accessible as long as it is dry.

9. Machrihanish Seabird & Wildlife Observatory

Lossit Park, Machrihanish PA28 6PZ Scotland +44 7919 660292 http://www.machrihanishbirdobservatory.org.uk
Excellent
70%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Machrihanish Seabird & Wildlife Observatory

Reviewed By peterlR1157GW - Huddersfield, United Kingdom

Visited today for the first time. Met Eddie the warden. Well what a wonderful experience!!! Amazing wildlife, amazing man who tells you all about the incredible wildlife you can see from the warm hide. Bought a copy of Eddies DVD to help them continue the great service and the fab facilities provided. Great place for a wheelchair user to visit. I can not recommend this place highly enough - GO

10. Kilmun Arboretum

Kilmun Scotland
Excellent
33%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
33%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 3 reviews

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.