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Scotland's west coast: Argyll Explorer (4 days)
Affric Highlands
Scotland
Duration
4days
Difficulty
Our walks are mostly on established paths and tracks but the terrain can be uneven, steep and sometimes wet and/or slippery. Ideally, you will be able to walk at a leisurely pace for up to 5-7km and will be able to manage your footing on uneven terrain. Talking with rewilding practitioners or waiting for wildlife can sometimes involve standing still for extended periods. We advise bringing walking poles, if required.
If you have mobility issues or need to take things slowly, please let us know and we will be happy to discuss alternative activities.
Group
6 - 8 Guests
Language
English
Scotland's west coast: Argyll Explorer (4 days)
What better way to discover rewilding than by living it directly?
Experience Scotland's dramatic west coast on a weekend designed to inspire, connect and restore.
Your Rewilding Journey blends discovery with unforgettable moments on Argyll’s Secret Coast, guided by experts and shared with a small group of like-minded fellow travellers. Wander through recovering landscapes, picnic by the ocean and keep your eyes peeled for the fascinating wildlife of Argyll. Along the way, visit pioneering rewilding projects and meet the remarkable people bringing nature back to life.
Itinerary
Please note, the exact itinerary may change slightly according to local factors, including the weather.
Day 1: Following arrival and introductions in Dunoon, we head west, traversing the Cowal Peninsula until we reach our destination, Auchgoyle Farm, our home-from-home for the next three nights. If time allows, we explore our immediate surroundings before settling down for a pre-dinner presentation that will set the scene for our weekend adventure. Afterwards, we gather together around the farmhouse dining table to enjoy our first evening meal, prepared by a local catering team.
Day 2: After a hearty breakfast, we begin our journey right outside the door, with Auchgoyle owners, Katharine and David – a couple who once ran the entire length of South America. They bought this former dairy farm with plans for an ambitious rewilding project, and are now transforming the land into a rich mosaic of grassland, woodland and scrub. The property is home to Shetland cattle and native breed ponies, used for mob grazing to enhance habitat diversity, alongside an immersive eco-tourism business. We take a walk around the property, with ecologist Katharine, sharing information on the birds, animals and plants found here.
Early afternoon, we head north to Evanachan Farm overlooking Loch Fyne for a scrumptious home-made picnic lunch, followed by a guided tour. This family livestock farm is moving towards sustainably harnessing and regenerating the land. Sheep densities have been significantly reduced over the years and income streams diversified. Here, we hear the story of their transformation, before enjoying some time in their loch-side sauna and taking a dip in the ocean – the perfect way to slow down, relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.
Day 3: After a restful night's sleep, we start the day with an inspiring visit to Glenan Wood, a community-owned Atlantic rainforest, covering 365 acres. It’s a perfect example of Atlantic oak woodland – the temperate (and now rare) rainforest habitat that once covered much of Scotland’s west coast. We’ll see firsthand how bringing back Scotland’s lost rainforests demands active engagement from the communities who live in and around them.
After a bite to eat at a local eatery, we venture further south to an idyllic coastal site: Carry Farm. Once a mixed farm, it’s now a vibrant business with holiday cottages, coffee shop, gallery and sailing school. Primarily coastal heath, the site also features ancient hazel and oak woodland, and is home to red squirrels, badgers and hedgehogs, as well as its resident donkeys and Hebridean sheep. We spend time exploring the site with the owners, learning about their restoration efforts, before relaxing on the shore, taking in the views and looking out for otters, herons, oystercatchers and curlews.
Our evening is spent at Auchgoyle’s timber-framed roundhouse – an impressive structure offering a unique dining experience for our final night together.
Day 4: After a late breakfast, we enjoy our final moments in this special place before departing for Dunoon.
What's Included?
- 3-nights accommodation in a private room with shared bathroom facilities,
- all meals (breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner),
- pick up and drop off at Dunoon Ferry Terminal,
- all guiding, excursions and presentations.
What to Bring
Weather in the West Highlands is very changeable and at any time of year, you should expect anything from warm, calm conditions to wintry squalls. Temperatures are likely to range from 10c to 20c in late summer. Here are a few essential items to remember:
* Strong, warm and waterproof walking boots for uneven, potentially wet ground
* Waterproof jacket (and trousers)
* Warm layers (we'll be spending most of our time outdoors)
* Sun hat, sunscreen
* Midge repellent (Smidge or Skin So Soft) and midge net
* Hat, gloves and scarf (if weather forecast is looking cooler)
* Comfortable clothes for the evenings
* Indoor shoes
* Reusable water bottle (we do not provide any single-use plastic bottles)
* Torch / head torch
* Binoculars (and a Bird Guide, if you have one)
* Camera
* Small backpack for lunch, water and personal belongings during the day
* Personal first aid kit / medication
* Walking poles (if needed)
Food & Stay
Located on the southern tip of the Cowal Peninsula, Auchgoyle Farm is a family-run wildlife haven perfectly located for exploring the nearby regenerating landscapes. As part of the Northwoods Rewilding Network, the owners of this 80 acre site – featuring meadows, wetlands and woodlands – are fully committed to restoring the land and creating a space for people to embrace the natural world.
There are two properties for guests to enjoy: the contemporary eco-lodge, with two bedrooms and one bathroom, and the renovated farmhouse, with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Both overlook Ostel Valley and provide a comfortable base from which to explore.
Breakfast and evening meals are taken within the accommodation and prepared by either the owners of Auchgoyle or a local caterer. Home-cooked, wholesome food is prepared with fresh, local ingredients. In the field, we will have lunch at local eateries along with some home-bakes. We might also squeeze in coffee and cake stops along the way!
How your experience helps rewilding efforts
This tour is run by a Scottish rewilding charity. After covering the necessary costs associated with delivering our tours, such as accommodation, food, transport and guiding, we are left with a surplus which, unlike a commercial tour operator with shareholders, is reinvested into our rewilding work that is crucial for addressing the growing climate and biodiversity crises.
Rewilding landscape
Rewilding vision
Affric Highlands | Scotland
From the vast waters of Loch Ness to the rugged sea lochs of Scotland's west coast, the Affric Highlands span an ancient, mountainous landscape shaped by thousands of years of connection between people and nature. Home to fragments of Caledonian pinewood, temperate rainforest, and rich peatlands, this is a place of rare, iconic wildlife, deep-rooted culture, and huge rewilding potential.
How do I get there?
Public transport is generally reliable and for this itinerary we offer free transfers from the town of Dunoon.
Train & Ferry: There are direct trains from Glasgow Central to Gourock (approx. 40mins). From Gourock train station it’s a few minutes walk to the passenger ferry dock for crossings to Dunoon (approx. 25 mins). Ferry crossings generally depart every 15-20 minutes after a train arrival. The timetable can be viewed here. Direct trains to Glasgow from London Euston take approx. 4.30hrs. The Caledonian Sleeper provides another option for travelling overnight from London to Glasgow.
Car: If you prefer to travel by car, aim to arrive at the Auchgoyle Farm by 4pm. There is safe parking available as well as an EV charging point (50p/kWh). You can take the Western car ferry from Gourock to Sandbank Dunoon or drive to the peninsula. We can provide detailed instructions.
What time are the free transfers from Dunoon?
We collect at 2.30pm on arrival day and drop off by 12pm on departure day. The ferry service from Dunoon to Gourock aligns with the train times to Glasgow.
How do we get around during our stay?
We use a comfortable 9-seater minibus.
Who are your guides?
We work with knowledgeable and friendly guides familiar with the location and Scotland’s rewilding narrative.
What wildlife will we see?
Our Argyll Explorer is not focused on wildlife sightings. During our walks, however, we will keep an eye out for any interesting wildlife and where appropriate, spend time enjoying the sighting.
Will biting insects be an issue?
Midges are around during the summer months. They aren’t usually an issue during the day but can be irritating on calm, mild evenings in late summer. We suggest you bring a suitable repellent and midge net if you are usually bothered by insect bites.
What will the weather be like?
Weather in the West Highlands is very changeable and at any time of year, you should expect anything from warm, calm conditions to wintry squalls. Temperatures are likely to range from 10c to 20c in late summer. If you’re unsure what to pack, we’ll be pleased to advise.
This experience involves
Hiking
Birdwatching
Farm (co-existence)
Wildlife in this landscapePlease note that the presence of wildlife doesn’t guarantee sightings — these animals live freely and may remain out of view.
Herbivores in this landscape
Roe deer
Carnivores in this landscape
Grey seal
Scavengers and other large birds in this landscape
