View source for Cowal

{{Short description|Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland}}
{{about|the peninsula in Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}

{{Infobox landform
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| name                  = Cowal
| native_name           = {{Native name|gd|Comhghall}}
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| type                  = [[Peninsula]]
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| highest_point         = [[Beinn an Lochain]]
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'''Cowal''' ({{langx|gd|Comhghall}})<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ainmean-aite.scot/?id=41133 |title=Cowal |work=[[Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba]]: Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland|access-date=2023-09-05}}</ref> is a rugged [[peninsula]] in [[Argyll and Bute]], on the west coast of Scotland. It is connected to the mainland to the north, and is bounded by [[Loch Fyne]] to the west, by [[Loch Long]] and the [[Firth of Clyde]] to the east, and by the [[Kyles of Bute]] to the south.

[[Argyll]] is the historic [[county]] that the Cowal peninsula was within. [[Inveraray]] was the county town.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Argyllshire|title=Argyllshire &#124; Scotland's Historic County, UK &#124; Britannica|website=www.britannica.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/my-community/local-history-and-heritage/history-argyll-and-bute|title=The History of Argyll and Bute &#124; Argyll and Bute Council|first=Argyll and Bute|last=Council|website=www.argyll-bute.gov.uk}}</ref>

The northern part of the peninsula is covered by [[Argyll Forest Park]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/argyll-forest-park |title=Argyll Forest Park |publisher=Forestry Commission Scotland |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=29 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329163908/https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/argyll-forest-park |url-status=dead }}</ref> and also includes the [[Arrochar Alps]]. In the south, the peninsula is divided into three forks by [[Loch Striven]] and [[Loch Riddon]]. Cowal's only [[burgh]] is [[Dunoon]] in the south-east,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stforum.co.uk/wmslib/Pride__Passion/DunoonCowal.pdf |title=50 Fascinating Facts about Bute, Dunoon & Cowal |access-date=2011-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425132526/http://www.stforum.co.uk/wmslib/Pride__Passion/DunoonCowal.pdf |archive-date=2012-04-25 }}</ref> from which [[ferry|ferries]] sail to [[Gourock]] in [[Inverclyde]]. Other ferries run from [[Portavadie]] in the west to [[Tarbert, Kintyre|Tarbert]] in Kintyre, and from [[Colintraive]] in the south to [[Rhubodach]] on Bute.

Much of Cowal was once held by the [[Clan Lamont|Lamont]] clan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.clanlamontsociety.com/|title=Clan Lamont Society|website=www.clanlamontsociety.com}}</ref> Later, the [[Clan Campbell|Campbells]] came to be one of the most powerful families in Cowal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Great Scottish Clans - Featured Clans |url=http://www.greatscottishclans.com/clans/campbell.php |website=www.greatscottishclans.com}}</ref>

The highest point on the peninsula is [[Beinn an Lochain]] in the [[Arrochar Alps]], a [[Corbetts|Corbett]] with a height of {{convert|901.7|m}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.munromagic.com/MountainInfo.cfm?Mountain=309|title=Beinn an Lochain (Corbett) - MunroMagic.com|website=www.munromagic.com}}</ref>  The summit overlooks [[Loch Restil]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/scotland/argyll-and-bute/beinn-an-lochain|title=Beinn an Lochain|website=AllTrails.com}}</ref>

==Geography and geology==
The peninsula is connected to the mainland and bounded to the north by the [[Arrochar Alps]], a group of mountains located around the head of [[Loch Fyne]], [[Loch Long]], and [[Loch Goil]]. The [[Kyles of Bute]], a narrow sea channel, separates it from the [[Isle of Bute]] to the south, and it borders the [[Firth of Clyde]] to the south-east. Several deeply incised [[sea loch]]s form a major factor in its geography, with Loch Fyne providing its western boundary, Loch Long providing its north-eastern boundary, and Loch Goil, the [[Holy Loch]], [[Loch Striven]] and [[Loch Riddon]] cutting into the peninsular and dividing it into several forks.<ref name=osex362>{{cite map |title=Explorer 362 - Cowal West & Isle of Bute |publisher=[[Ordnance Survey]] |scale=1:25000 |isbn=9780319246139 |date=16 September 2015}}</ref><ref name=osol37>{{cite map |title=Explorer OL37 - Cowal East |publisher=[[Ordnance Survey]] |scale=1:25000 |isbn=9780319242766 |date=10 June 2015}}</ref><ref name=osol39>{{cite map |title=Explorer OL39 - Loch Lomond North |publisher=[[Ordnance Survey]] |scale=1:25000 |isbn=9780319242780 |date=14 June 2018}}</ref>

At its longest, from the [[Rest and be Thankful pass]] to [[Ardlamont Point]], the peninsular is some {{convert|32|mi}} long. At its broadest, from [[Dunoon]] to [[Otter Ferry]], it is some {{convert|17|mi}} wide. Its highest point, on [[Beinn Ìme]] in the Arrochar Alps, is {{convert|1011|m}} above sea level.<ref name=osex362/><ref name=osol37/><ref name=osol39/>

[[File:Loch Goil and Loch Long from Portincaple.jpg|thumb|View of northern Cowal from the far side of Loch Long, showing the mouth of [[Loch Goil]]]]
Cowal's underlying geology is made up largely of resistant [[metamorphic rock]]s, but south of the [[Highland Boundary Fault]] part of the [[Toward]] peninsula is composed of [[sedimentary rock]]s. The landscape is mountainous, the high ground dominated by [[moorland]], [[peat]] mosses and the forest that often extends down the sides of the sea lochs to the water's edge. The acreage of improved farmland is small. Most land is owned by estates or the [[Forestry and Land Scotland]] except in the more settled areas.{{sfn|Ritchie|2001|p=17}}

The coast is mostly rocky and the few beaches are mostly shingle and gravel, with the principal exceptions of [[Ostel Bay]] on Loch Fyne in the far south-west of Cowal, and [[Ardentinny]] on Loch Long in the east, where sandy beaches are to be found.{{sfn|Ritchie|2001|p=17}}<ref name="Forestry Commission Ardentinny">{{cite web |title=Ardentinny |website=Forestry Commission Scotland |url=http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/argyll-forest-park/ardentinny |access-date=6 March 2017 |archive-date=7 March 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307124913/http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/argyll-forest-park/ardentinny}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wildaboutargyll.co.uk/blogs/10-argyll-beaches-to-discover-in-winter/ |title=10 Argyll beaches you'll want to walk along |publisher=Argyll & the Isles Tourism Cooperative |access-date=14 June 2024}}</ref> The only lowland areas are around the coast where most of the settlement is found, particularly around Cowal's largest settlement, [[Dunoon]], on the Firth of Clyde.{{sfn|Ritchie|2001|p=17}}

Settlements in Cowal include:

{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
* [[Ardentinny]]
* [[Ardgartan]]
* [[Ardnadam]]
* [[Ardtaraig]]
* [[Arrochar, Argyll|Arrochar]]
* [[Blairmore, Argyll|Blairmore]]
* [[Cairndow]]
* [[Carrick Castle (village)|Carrick Castle]]
* [[Clachaig]]
* [[Clachan of Glendaruel]]
* [[Colintraive]]
* [[Coylet]]
* [[Dunoon]]
* [[Glenbranter]]
* [[Hunters Quay]]
* [[Innellan]]
* [[Inverchaolain]]
* [[Kames, Argyll|Kames]]
* [[Kilfinan]]
* [[Kilmun]]
* [[Kirn, Dunoon|Kirn]]
* [[Lochgoilhead]]
* [[Millhouse, Argyll|Millhouse]]
* [[Otter Ferry]]
* [[Portavadie]]
* [[Rashfield]]
* [[Sandbank, Argyll|Sandbank]]
* [[St Catherines, Argyll|St Catherines]]
* [[Strachur]]
* [[Strone, Cowal|Strone]]
* [[Succoth, Argyll|Succoth]]
* [[Tighnabruaich]]
* [[Toward]]
* [[Whistlefield, Argyll|Whistlefield]]
}}

==History==
Evidence of early occupation of the area is in the form of [[cairn]]s or burial mounds. One example is a [[Bronze Age]] cairn from between about 2000 BC and 800 BC is situated close to the summit of Creag Evanachan, {{convert|195|m|ft|abbr=out}} above sea level overlooking Loch Fyne. It is a mound of stones about {{convert|20|m|ft|abbr=out}} in diameter and up to {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=out}} high.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM3408|desc=Creag Evanachan, cairn|access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref> Another is the cairn at Dunchraigaig which is {{convert|195|ft|m|abbr=out}} in diameter and was first excavated in 1864. At the south end a [[cist]] contained the deposits of burnt bones from eight or ten bodies. A smaller cist in the centre contained a bowl, burnt bone, charcoal and [[flint]] chips, and in the clay below them, the remains of a burial. A third even smaller cist also contained a food bowl, burnt bones and flint chips. A [[Sharpening stone|whetstone]], flint knife, fragments of pottery and a [[Greenschist#Europe|greenstone]] axe were also found.<ref>{{cite web | title= Dunchraigaig | website=Canmore |url= https://canmore.org.uk/site/39455/dunchraigaig  | access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref>

===Argyll===
{{See also|Argyll}}
When [[Scoti|the Irish invaded the region]], it became part of their kingdom of [[Dal Riata]]. The [[Cenél Comgaill]], a kin group within Dal Riata, controlled the Cowal peninsula, which consequently took their name (evolving over time from ''Comgaill'' to ''Cowal''). Prior to this, little is known, except as revealed archaeologically, though the region may have been part of the [[Picts|Pictish]] kingdom of [[Fortriu]].

Following a subsequent invasion by [[Norsemen]], the [[Hebrides|Hebridean islands]] of Dal Riata became the [[Kingdom of the Isles]], which following Norwegian unification became part of Norway, as ''Suðreyjar'' (historically anglicised as ''Sodor''). The remaining parts of Dal Riata attracted the name Argyll, in reference to their ethnicity. In an unclear manner, the [[kingdom of Alba]] was founded elsewhere by groups originating from Argyll.

However, an 11th-century Norse military campaign led to the formal transfer of [[Lorne, Scotland|Lorn]], [[Islay]], [[Kintyre]], [[Knapdale]], [[Isle of Bute|Bute]], and [[Isle of Arran|Arran]], to ''Suðreyjar''. This left Alba with no part of Argyll except Cowal, and the land between [[Loch Awe]] and [[Loch Fyne]]. After Alba united with [[Province of Moray|Moray]], over the course of the century, it became Scotland. In 1326, a [[Sheriffdom|sheriff]] was appointed for the Scottish parts of Argyll.

Although, following the [[Treaty of Perth]], Suðreyjar's successor state, the [[Lordship of the Isles]], fell under the nominal authority of the Scottish king, it was not until 1475 that it was merged with Scotland (the occasion being the punishment of [[John of Islay, Earl of Ross|its ruler]] for an anti-Scottish conspiracy). The sheriffdom of Argyll was expanded to include the adjacent mainland areas from the Lordship. Following local government reforms in the 19th century, the traditional provinces were formally abolished, in favour of counties aligned with sheriffdoms, so Cowal became merely a part of the county of Argyll.

===Clans and castles===
[[File:Old Castle Lachlan 20100927.jpg|thumb|Castle Lachlan]]
The history of the Cowal is tied into the clans who inhabited it. Seemingly, in the 11th century, an unidentified heiress of the Cenel Comgaill married [[Ánrothán Ua Néill|Anrothan]], grandson of [[Flaithbertach Ua Néill|the king]] of the [[Cenél nEógain]], from [[Ulster]]. Clan traditions argue that Anrothan's lands were passed down to a descendant named Aodha Alainn O'Neil, who had the following sons:
*Neil, who founded the [[Clan MacNeil#McNeills of Argyll (in Taynish, Gigha and Colonsay)|MacNeil of Argyll]], who were [[castellan]]s of [[Castle Sween]] in Knapdale, on behalf of the Lords of the Isles. The [[Clan MacNeil#MacNeils of Barra|MacNeil of Barra]] claim to be related to them, though how they came to be involved with [[Barra]] is unclear.
*Gillachrist, whose son was:
**Lachlan ''Mor'', who founded [[Clan MacLachlan]], who ruled from [[Old Castle Lachlan|Castle Lachlan]], on the Loch Fyne coast
*Dunslebhe, whose sons were:
**Ewen, who founded [[Clan Ewen of Otter]], who ruled from [[Castle MacEwen]], in the [[Kilfinan]] peninsula
**Fearchar, who founded [[Clan Lamont|Clan MacKerracher]], renamed Clan Lamont after 1235, after Lauman, the then chief. Clan Lamont ruled from [[Castle Toward#Toward Castle|Toward Castle]], in the [[Toward]] peninsula.

Excavations carried out at Castle MacEwen showed the site had several stages of development before it was the defended medieval homestead of the MacEwens; at first there was a palisaded enclosure, and then a promontory fort with a timber rampart.<ref>{{cite web | title= McEwan's Castle | website=Canmore |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/39861/kilfinan-macewans-castle| access-date=15 March 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Carrick Castle, Argyll, Scotland.JPG|thumb|Carrick Castle]]
The remote areas in the north east of Cowal, which were theoretically under the dominion of Clan Lamont, were used by Scottish kings for hunting; indeed, Cowal was the last part of Britain to have [[wild boar]]. When King [[John Balliol]] was threatened by his rival, [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert de Bruys]], Balliol's ally, [[Edward I of England|the king of England]], established [[Henry de Percy, 1st Baron Percy|Henry Percy]] at [[Carrick Castle]], in the region; likewise [[Dunoon Castle]] further south. De Bruys expelled the English from Cowal, with the aid of the [[Clan Campbell|Campbells]] (who were based nearby at Loch Awe), and eventually defeated Balliol. [[David II of Scotland|De Bruy's son]] gave Carrick Castle to the Campbells, while, after spending some time as a direct Royal possession, Dunoon Castle was handed to them by [[James III of Scotland|James III]], who made the Campbells its Honorary Keepers.{{sfn|Miers|2006|p=82}}

[[File:Old_Castle_Toward.jpg|thumb|The remains of Toward Castle]]
During [[Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms|the civil war between Royalists and Puritans]], the Campbells had sided with [[Covenanter|the Puritans]], so following their defeat at the [[Battle of Inverlochy (1645)|Battle of Inverlochy]], Clan Lamont took the opportunity to push back the borders of Campbell control. Predictably, in 1646, the Campbells took revenge, and overran Toward Castle; after being offered hospitability, the Campbells slaughtered the Lamont occupants in their beds. Despite the chief of the Lamonts surrendering, the Campbells hanged many members of Clan Lamont, in what became known as the Dunoon massacre.{{sfn|Miers|2006|p=82}}

By contrast, the next chief of the Campbells, the son of the former chief, was a [[Cavalier|Royalist]], so after the [[Restoration of Charles II|restoration of Royalist rule]], the Campbells were not ultimately dispossessed of their gains. However, after [[James II of England|James VII]] came to the Scottish throne, [[Argyll's Rising|the Campbells revolted]], and the chief was executed, but his son, the new chief, took part in [[Glorious Revolution|the successful expulsion of James VII]], so the Campbells once again ultimately retained their lands.

===18th century===
After the [[Jacobite rising of 1715]] when [[James Francis Edward Stuart]] attempted to regain the throne, the lack of roads in the Highlands prevented the British army from advancing to quell areas of unrest. [[George Wade|General Wade]] was tasked with implementing a [[Military roads of Scotland|programme to build military roads]] from north-central Scotland through the Highlands to the forts in the Great Glen. They were constructed by officers and soldiers. William Caulfeild succeeded Wade in 1740 and constructed the road from Dumbarton via Tarbet to Inveraray through the Cowal where it is known as the "Rest and Be Thankful".<ref>{{cite web | title=Military Highland Roads | website=Engineering Timelines |url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=1246| access-date=8 March 2017}}</ref>

===19th century===
In Victorian times tourism began to take hold on the Clyde coast. Steam propulsion started in 1812 and by the end of the 19th century, [[paddle steamers]] ferried thousands of Glaswegians ''[[doon the watter]]'' from [[Broomielaw]] in the city centre to holiday resorts including Dunoon on the Cowal.{{sfn|Gray|1989|p=20}}

==Transport==
[[File:Old Military Road leading to Rest and be Thankful, Argyll - geograph.org.uk - 47904.jpg|thumb|Military road leading to Rest and Be Thankful]] 
The principal forms of transport in Cowal are by road and by ferry, and the peninsular is crossed by a cycle route that makes use of both. Railways have never penetrated the area.

===Roads===
The [[A83 road|A83 trunk road]] crosses the northern end of the peninsular passing [[Arrochar, Argyll and Bute|Arrochar]] at the head of Loch Long and [[Cairndow]] near the head of Loch Fyne. It partly follows or runs parallel to [[William Caulfeild (British Army officer)|William Caulfield's]] historic [[Old military roads of Scotland|military road]] that takes its name,'' Rest and Be Thankful'' from the stone seat erected at the summit at the head of [[Glen Croe]]. As the A83 has been subject to [[Landslide|landslips]], the old route has been used as a diversionary route.<ref>{{cite web | title=A83 Tarbet – Lochgilphead – Kennacraig Trunk Road Study into Potential Emergency Diversion Routes at the Rest and Be Thankful | website=Transport Scotland |url=http://www.transport.gov.scot/system/files/uploaded_content/documents/projects/A83/a83-rest-and-be-thankful-project-taskforce-military-road-v-forest-track-report.pdf| page=27| access-date=7 March 2017}}</ref> The other A roads are the [[A815 road|A815]] which links the A83 with Dunoon via Strachur where the [[A886 road|A886]] leaves it and heads south via [[Glendaruel]] to [[Colintraive]] where the ferry connects it to the Isle of Bute and the [[A8003 road|A8003]] which links [[Tighnabruaich]] to the A886. Other roads are secondary B roads, narrow roads or tracks.

===Ferries===
[[File:Ferry at Colintraive (geograph 6974042).jpg|thumb|Ferry across the Kyles of Bute at Colintraive]]
Because of the incised nature of the coastline around Cowal, ferries play a large part in the transport of the area. The shortest and fastest routes from much of Cowal to the population centres of the [[Scottish central belt]] involve crossing the [[Firth of Clyde]]. A passenger-only service operated by [[Caledonian MacBrayne]] connects [[Dunoon]] to [[Gourock]] in [[Inverclyde]] where there is easy access the [[ScotRail]] train service to [[Glasgow Central railway station]]. [[Western Ferries]] operates a high-frequency vehicle carrying service between [[Hunters Quay]], near [[Dunoon]], and [[McInroy's Point]], on the outskirts of [[Gourock]] in [[Inverclyde]].<ref>{{cite web | title= Gourock - Dunoon | website=Caledonian MacBrayne |url=https://www.calmac.co.uk/gourock-dunoon-service}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Scotrail Gourock | website=Scotrail Gourock |url=https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/stations-and-facilities/grk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd |url=https://www.western-ferries.co.uk/ |website=Western Ferries |access-date=5 June 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

Further south and west, Caledonian MacBrayne vehicle ferries provide crossings both to the [[Isle of Bute]] and to [[Kintyre]]. It takes five minutes to cross the {{convert|400|yd|m|abbr=off|adj=on}} strait from [[Colintraive]] on Cowal to [[Rhubodach]] on Bute. The ferry from [[Portavadie]] on Cowal to [[Tarbert, Kintyre|Tarbert]] on Kintyre across Loch Fyne takes 25 minutes.<ref>{{cite web | title=Colintraive - Rhubodach | website=CalMac Rhubodach|url=https://www.calmac.co.uk/ports/rhubodach}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Cowal and Kintyre | website=CalMac Portavadie |url=https://www.calmac.co.uk/ports/portavadie}}</ref>

===Cycling===
The [[National Cycle Route 75]] (NCR75) links [[Dunoon]] and [[Portavadie]] on Cowal, as part of a through route between [[Edinburgh]] and [[Tarbert, Kintyre|Tarbert]] on the [[Kintyre peninsula]]. The route forms part of the [[National Cycle Network]], maintained by [[Sustrans]].<ref name=ncr75>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/national-cycle-network-routes-in-glasgow-and-the-surrounding-area/|title=National Cycle Network routes in Glasgow and the West|website=Sustrans}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sustrans.org.uk/about-us/|title=About us|website=Sustrans}}</ref>

From east to west across Cowal, the route starts with a ferry crossing from [[Gourock]] to [[Dunoon]]. It then follows the Cowal coast north, passing the [[Holy Loch]] and [[Sandbank, Argyll|Sandbank]], before travelling through [[Glen Lean]] to the head of [[Loch Striven]] at [[Ardtaraig]]. From the head of Loch Striven it crosses to the head of [[Loch Riddon]] at the [[Clachan of Glendaruel]]. It then passes down the west coast of Loch Riddon to [[Tighnabruaich]] on the shore of the [[Kyles of Bute]]. From here it crosses inland to [[Portavadie]], where another ferry takes it to [[Tarbert, Kintyre|Tarbert]] on Kintyre. At Tarbert the NCR75 connects with the [[National Cycle Route 78|NCR78]] from [[Campbeltown]] to [[Inverness]].<ref name=ncr75/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/national-cycle-network-routes-in-argyll-bute-and-highland/|title=National Cycle Network routes in Argyll & Bute and Highland|website=Sustrans}}</ref>

==Sport and culture==
The [[Loch Lomond and Cowal Way]] stretches for over {{convert|57|mi|km|abbr=off}} through Cowal, from [[Portavadie]] on the southeastern shore of [[Loch Fyne]] leading to [[Inveruglas]] on [[Loch Lomond]], in the [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowalway.co.uk/ |title=Scotland's best walking trail |publisher=The Cowal Way |access-date=2017-01-17}}</ref>

The [[Cowal Highland Gathering]], the annual [[highland games]], are held annually in Dunoon stadium on the last Friday/Saturday of August.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cowalgathering.co.uk/history-of-the-gathering.asp |title=History of the games 1894 |author=cowalgathering.com |access-date=28 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428142913/http://www.cowalgathering.co.uk/history-of-the-gathering.asp |archive-date=28 April 2009 }}</ref>

==Sights==
===Castles===
[[File:Old Castle Lachlan - geograph.org.uk - 5297889.jpg|thumb|Old Castle Lachlan]]

{{incomplete list|date=July 2021}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
*[[Ardkinglas Castle]], no longer standing.  Near [[Cairndow]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/23628/ardkinglas-castle|title=Ardkinglas Castle &#124; Canmore|website=canmore.org.uk}}</ref>
*[[Asgog Castle]], ruin, next to [[Asgog Loch]], [[Millhouse, Argyll|Millhouse]], Kilfinan Parish.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/39926/castle-asgog|title=Castle Asgog, &#124; Canmore|website=canmore.org.uk}}</ref>
* [[Auchenbreck Castle]] (no longer standing), Kilmodan, Glendaruel<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/40525/auchenbreck-castle|title=Auchenbreck Castle &#124; Canmore|website=canmore.org.uk}}</ref>
* [[Carrick Castle]] (private), [[Carrick Castle (village)|Carrick Castle]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/40804/carrick-castle|title=Carrick Castle &#124; Canmore|website=canmore.org.uk}}</ref>
* [[Dunans Castle]] (ruin, fire damage),  Glendaruel<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dunanscastle.scot/|title=Index of /|website=dunanscastle.scot}}</ref>
* [[Dunoon Castle]] (no longer standing), Dunoon<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/40729/dunoon-castle|title=Dunoon Castle &#124; Canmore|website=canmore.org.uk}}</ref>
* [[Knockamillie Castle]], ruin, [[Innellan]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM4617|title=Knockamillie Castle (SM4617)|website=portal.historicenvironment.scot}}</ref>
* [[New Castle Lachlan]] (private), Strathlachlan
* [[Old Castle Lachlan]] (ruin), Strathlachlan<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oldcastlelachlan.com/our-castles-story|title=Our Castle's Story|website=Old Castle Lachlan, Scotland}}</ref>
* [[Castle MacEwen]] (no longer standing), Kilfinan<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/39861/kilfinan-macewans-castle|title=Kilfinan, Macewan's Castle &#124; Canmore|website=canmore.org.uk}}</ref>
* [[Castle Toward]] (private), Toward
* [[Toward Castle]] (ruin), in the grounds of Castle Toward<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecastlesofscotland.co.uk/the-best-castles/scenic-castles/toward-castle/|title=Toward Castle &#124; The Castles of Scotland, Coventry &#124; Goblinshead|website=www.thecastlesofscotland.co.uk}}</ref>
}}

===Country estates===
[[File:Benmore House (475884221).jpg|thumb|Benmore House]]
{{incomplete list|date=February 2024}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
*[[Ardkinglas Estate]], [[Cairndow]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/141356/ardkinglas-house|title=Ardkinglas House &#124; Canmore|website=canmore.org.uk}}</ref>
*[[Ardlamont Estate]], [[Ardlamont]] peninsula.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/f72d9c2a-9dea-3ea5-9872-3f5b4513c519|title=Papers of the Ardlamont Estate, Kilfinan, Argyll & Bute, Scotland - Archives Hub}}</ref>
*[[Benmore Botanic Garden|Benmore Estate]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/argyll-forest-park/benmore|title=Benmore - Forestry and Land Scotland|website=forestryandland.gov.scot}}</ref>
*[[Dunans Castle|Glendaruel Estate]], [[Glendaruel]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/record/hes/151042/glendaruel-house/rcahms|title=Glendaruel House &#124; ScotlandsPlaces|website=scotlandsplaces.gov.uk}}</ref>
*[[Glenbranter Estate]], [[Glenbranter]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB50466|title=GLENBRANTER FARMHOUSE INCLUDING BOTHY, RAILINGS AND GATES (LB50466)|website=portal.historicenvironment.scot}}</ref>
*[[Glenfinart Estate]], [[Ardentinny]], [[Glen Finart]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/GlenfinartHouse|title=Secret Scotland - Glenfinart House|website=secretscotland.org.uk}}</ref>
*[[Knockdow Estate]] (formerly known as the estate of Kilmichael), [[Toward]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/40754/knockdow-house|title=Knockdow House &#124; Canmore|website=canmore.org.uk}}</ref>
}}

{{clear}}

==See also==
* [[Cowal Community Hospital]]
* [[National parks of Scotland]]
* [[List of places in Argyll and Bute]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

===Sources===
*{{citation | last=Miers|first =Richenda |title=Scotland's Highlands and Islands|year= 2006| publisher=New Holland Publishers|isbn= 978-1860113406}}
*{{citation | last=Gray|first =Alastair |title=A History of Scotland, Book 5|year= 1989| publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn= 978-0199170630}}
*{{citation | last=Ritchie|first =W. |title= Beaches of Cowal, Bute and Arran Department of Geography University of Aberdeen for the Countryside Commission for Scotland|year= 2001| publisher=[[Scottish Natural Heritage]] }}

==External links==
{{oscoor gbx|NS 09111 85254}}

{{Commons category|Cowal}}
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [https://www.wildaboutargyll.co.uk/destinations/dunoon-and-cowal/ Wild About Argyll, Cowal page]
* [https://explorecowal.com/cowal/ Explore Cowal - website]
* [http://www.cowalopenstudios.co.uk/ Cowal Open Studios - website]
* [http://www.cowalfest.org/ Cowalfest - website]
* [http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/ Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park - website]
* [http://www.lochlomondandcowalway.org/ Loch Lomond and Cowal Way - website]
}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowal}}
[[Category:Cowal| ]]
[[Category:Peninsulas of Scotland]]
[[Category:Highland Boundary Fault|Cowal]]
[[Category:Firth of Clyde]]
[[Category:Landforms of Argyll and Bute]]
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