Oban Distillery & McCaig's Tower
A working town-centre distillery with tours, plus a Colosseum-style folly on the hill above.
Scotland · Argyll
Argyll & Islands
Top attractions, upcoming events, festivals and family activities across Argyll & Islands.
About Argyll & Islands
Argyll is Scotland's sea-loch coast — a jigsaw of peninsulas and islands including Mull, Islay, Jura, Iona, Kintyre and Cowal. Oban acts as the ferry capital, while Campbeltown, Dunoon and Inveraray anchor life on the mainland.
Argyll events blend Highland Games and pipe band contests at Cowal with whisky festivals on Islay, world-famous music sessions on Mull, and gourmet food weekends across the region.
Top attractions in Argyll
Isle of Mull & Iona
Tobermory's rainbow harbour, Iona Abbey and some of Britain's best sea-eagle spotting.
Islay Whisky Distilleries
Nine working distilleries, including Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Bruichladdich.
Inveraray Castle & Jail
The seat of the Duke of Argyll and a Victorian working prison museum.
Kilmartin Glen
One of Britain's densest concentrations of prehistoric monuments.
Kintyre & the Mull of Kintyre
Paul McCartney's inspiration and one of the UK's most under-visited peninsulas.
Upcoming events in Argyll
See allNo upcoming events currently listed for Argyll & Islands. Check back soon or browse all Scottish events.
Festivals in Argyll
Fèis Ìle (Islay Whisky Festival)
Late MayA week-long celebration of Islay whisky and music.
Mull Music Festival
AprilTraditional music sessions in Tobermory pubs and hotels.
Cowal Highland Gathering
AugustThe world's largest Highland Games, held at Dunoon.
West Highland Yachting Week
AugustSailing regattas around Oban, Tobermory and Craobh Haven.
Family activities in Argyll
Ideas for families visiting Argyll & Islands — most work rain or shine and pair well with the events listed above.
- Oban Sea Life Sanctuary
- Puffins at the Treshnish Isles (day trips from Mull)
- Inveraray Jail dressing-up museum
- Kilmartin Museum and standing stones
- Loch Fyne oysters at Cairndow
When to visit Argyll
Spring brings puffins and sea eagles to Mull; late May is Fèis Ìle. Summer is peak island season — book ferries early.
Autumn delivers stunning colour at Inveraray and quieter roads, while winter is the best time for whisky-warm evenings in Campbeltown and Tobermory.
Popular venues in Argyll
All venuesWe're still building our venue directory for Argyll & Islands. Browse all Scottish venues.
Explore Argyll by category
Curated landing pages for the biggest event types in Argyll.
Local guides
Argyll — Frequently asked questions
How do I book ferries to the Argyll islands?
CalMac operates most Argyll ferries — book vehicles online well in advance during summer. Foot passengers can usually turn up and sail.
When is the Islay Whisky Festival?
Fèis Ìle runs for a week in late May, with each distillery hosting its own open day.
What's the best base for exploring Argyll?
Oban for northern Argyll and the islands, Inveraray for Loch Fyne, Campbeltown for Kintyre and Islay ferries.