Cowal Golf Club

Getting a round in at Cowal Golf Club means heading out from Dunoon along a proper scenic route - the kind of drive that reminds you why you came to Argyll in the first place. This is an 18-hole championship course that's been going since 1891, and you can feel the pedigree in how it's maintained and laid out. The course weaves through woodland and open fairways with views across the Clyde - nothing flashy or artificially manicured, just good golf in a lovely setting.

It's geared squarely at golfers, not casual visitors wandering in for the view. You'll need to book ahead and have a handicap certificate or at least know how to handle yourself on a course - this isn't pitch-and-putt territory. Expect to spend a full four hours minimum for 18 holes. The green fees won't be cheap, but they're fair for what you get.

If you're camping nearby at The Secret Glen or Stratheck Holiday Park, it's a decent day out, though you'll want to be a golfer to justify the trip. Non-golfers might find themselves twiddling thumbs in the clubhouse. The course itself sits well for combining with other Argyll activities - Dunoon's a proper town with shops and cafes for partners who've opted out of the golf. Visit the website first to check current rates and book your slot; you can't just turn up.