I always enjoy my trips to Cowal and do my best to get the most out of them. This trip was in May 2023, with the primary purpose being a sail on PS Waverley to and from Blairmore Pier. Please look at my previous Cowal Highlights blog for more ideas of where to explore.

I set off from Drymen just after 8 am, delighted with the glorious weather, soon heading up the west side of Loch Lomond on the A82. It was still bright and sunny at the Rest and Be Thankful, not too long a hold up at the roadworks that seem to have been there forever. For an alternate way of getting here, consider the ferry from Gourock to Dunoon.

Following the road to Dunoon, I drove back into the National Park just before the Lauder Monument, driving past Glenbranter, which I am due to visit in a few weeks, then a quick stop at Jubilee Point Loch Eck, for a coffee (from a flask) and photo stop. The last time I was here was to launch kayaks for a trip to the sandy beach on the other side (which you can read about here.)

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Benmore Botanic Garden, near Dunoon

I arrived at Benmore Botanic Garden for its opening. I was their first customer of the day, paying £8 (which I think is good value) to enter. But, as I explained to the friendly lady at the ticket desk, it was a flying visit as I had a boat to catch, although as I was to find out later, I needn’t have rushed so much!

Benmore Giant Redwoods

Work continues to the stunning avenue of Giant Redwoods, renowned as one of the finest entrances to a botanical garden anywhere in the world. Branches have been defoliating, and there was concern that the 350m avenue of trees would succumb to diseases. The team at Benmore are currently tackling the 49 Giant Redwoods from the roots up. The process involves killing the grass around the redwoods and breaking up the soil.

After seeing the work progress on the Redwood, my first stop was the viewpoint, which takes around 30 minutes and is quite a climb. A bit of a hazy view, but I thought I’d add the picture anyway. You can see Holy Loch in the distance. Afterwards, I climbed down to the pond, which looked lovely, before a quick stop at the Red Squirrel hide, where I saw one running away.

Benmore Botanic Garden Pond, near Dunoon — Pond at Benmore Botanic Garden

Blairmore

There’s a lot of walking, with lots to see, including the magnificent golden gates and the former entrance to the garden. I also fitted in a trip to the Japanese Valley and Fernery.

I could have stopped here for my lunch, but I wanted to arrive in plenty of time at Blairmore for my 1 pm sailing. It’s just a 10-minute drive past Puck’s Glen and Kilmun. So I came with plenty of time to call in at The Blairmore, an excellent and popular café.

Piper at Blairmore Pier for The Waverley

Waverley Paddle Steamer

The Waverley was around 30 minutes late, due apparently to the time taking to drop off a school tour at Dunoon, but all of the waiting passengers were fine with it. Then, a piper started playing on the village’s Victorian Pier, and there was excitement as the 1947 Steamer came into view and pulled alongside the pier.

The Waverley was packed for one of the few trips on this route during 2023. The Paddle Steamer will be heading down south for much of the summer. You can read a more detailed guide to the fantastic sailing here, but I’ve added a few photographs.

Arriving back at Blairmore, I drove back through Ardentinny and back up that way, another fantastic trip on the Cowal Peninsula.

See Loch Lomond Book…

For more ideas of what to see and do on your next visit, purchase our book - 101 things to do in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, either here or from stockists throughout the National Park.