The best walks and hikes around West Lochfyne

It is a great experience to stay at the Bothy, on the shores of Loch Fyne. It has several different rooms to choose from. Please note though, although there’s a kettle, there’s no kitchen as such. There is a pub a few meters away though, named the Oystercatcher, providing great food. Fresh seafood as well as other things on the menu. Outside seating area. The entire pub has just been renovated and a new team in the kitchens. Well worth a visit to this stunning area, that few know of. The sunsets can be glorious in the summer. You are able to sit on the beach (a mere few metres from the pub and bothy!), directly on Loch Fyne.

Loch Fyne: the spit walk at Otter Ferry Be very mindful of the low/high tides as it changes fast. It is a walk you can only do at low tide, as you walk along the spit to the green buoy. It will possibly feel a bit strange at first as you’ll be walking into the middle of the Loch. There are two types of lochs in Scotland; one is freshwater loch and the other is sea loch. Loch Fyne is famous due to its kippers and mackerel as well as being the longest sea loch in Scotland. When walking on the spit, if you are new to the area, bear in mind the tide times as most people are taken off guard. Not an area to be complacent with! Dogs must be kept on the lead as there’s a lot of bird life here. It is a rather stunning walk! Especially at sunset. A drink and/or food at the Oystercatcher pub is a great way to end your day at Otter Ferry!

The Oystercatcher is a great cosy pub. Good food with incredible views. It’s part of Ballimore Estate. There’s Ballimore Bothy which you can book easily online. There’s a great beach you can walk along which then becomes part of the spit. Be very mindful of this area and the tides, as high tide can come in pretty fast. Never be complacent as it will take you by surprise. There are a few mooring buoys for boats to moor. This happens more within the summer months. Also great area for cyclists as there are multiple routes to do here (road/gravel/mtb).

Otter Ferry consists of a pier with a jetty to the side of it. There’s a great beach. You are able to walk along the Spit but please do be aware of the tide times as high tide can come in pretty fast. There is a pub called the Oystercatcher which serves great food and drinks. During the winter months, it only opens at the weekend (at certain times), otherwise from Wednesday through to Sunday. Please check ahead when planning as this can change. If you want to walk in this area, there is Ballimore Estate. The drive is between the Ballimore Bothy and the beach and it’s a very beautiful walk. Bear in mind, you’ll need to leave your car in the car park by the pub. Also all dogs must be kept on a lead as there is much wildlife in this area. The Ballimore Bothy can easily be booked, if wanting to stay in this area. It is part of Argyll’s secret coast, after all! https://www.instagram.com/ballimorebothy?igsh=MWlqYWN5cm8zemRieg==

Upland Loch surrounded by woodland, situated near the larger Loch Fyne. Has been a site of notable archaelogial finds, some from over 1500 years ago.

A point of land overlooking Loch Fyne. An ideal spot to look out for some of Loch Fyne's population of seals!

Part of the Kilmichael forsest and working woodland area. The forest offers plenty of areas of picnics, as well as opportunities for spotting the wide array of wildlife the woodland holds.

Otter Ferry is a great place to get too after cycling down the loch road from Stracher or the big ride over the hills from Glendarul or Dunoon. The regional cycle route through the hills can be very steep with a lot of climbing so if you prefer longer distances but no hills I recommend going along the B8000 road from Stracher that comes off the A886 from Dunoon. Most of the area is a private estate but you still have the pub, a bothy to stay in, and a great beach walk along the spit at low tide. A good rewarding destination.