Cowal Heritage Society

Cowal Heritage Society A forum for meetings and discussions about the rich history and heritage of Cowal in Argyll & Bute

Discover how to make a 3D digital visualisation film from a real expert at Stronafian Community Forest
10/09/2026

Discover how to make a 3D digital visualisation film from a real expert at Stronafian Community Forest

Next Thursday (17th) we kick off our 26/27 season of talks with a presentation all about the at the The Argyll Hotel i...
09/09/2026

Next Thursday (17th) we kick off our 26/27 season of talks with a presentation all about the at the The Argyll Hotel in ....with Iain Quinn, Quartermaster on the iconic paddle steamer...£5 entry...spaces are limited, doors open 7pm

Barr Iola, one of the hills overlooking Otter Ferry, is home to a beauty of an Atlantic Dun house (a 'dun' is an ancient...
27/08/2026

Barr Iola, one of the hills overlooking Otter Ferry, is home to a beauty of an Atlantic Dun house (a 'dun' is an ancient stone dwelling found on the West coast of Scotland, which often appears like a fort).The position commands extensive views over Loch Fyne and is well worth the challenging walk to the top. The site is marked by a tall cairn on the hilltop, which is easily spotted when driving over the Bealachandrain road from Glendaruel to Otter Ferry.
The dun's enclosure feels large, spanning 24x17m. Its ringed by a stone wall that is 3 metres thick, much of which has tumbled down the hillside to create an impressive apron of masonry. The internal space is too great to have been under a single roof and there are signs that the perimeter wall encircled several cell-like structures. Argyll's atlantic duns were occupied from 500BC-500AD, though there is evidence for sporadic occupation through the medieval period too. Barr Iola offers a fine seat for a local chieftain who would have been part of the wider community occupying the shores either side of Loch Fyne.

COWAL HERITAGE SOCIETY2026-2027 Season of talksWe start the new season of talks on Thursday 17th September in the functi...
24/08/2026

COWAL HERITAGE SOCIETY
2026-2027 Season of talks

We start the new season of talks on Thursday 17th September in the function room of the Argyll Hotel (7pm for 7.15pm start £5 entry) in Dunoon with what promises to be a fantastic talk by Iain Quinn all about 80 years of the PS Waverley. Iain, Quartermaster on the iconic steamer, has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the history of the Waverley and other famous steam ships that once ploughed the Clyde.

On Thursday 15th October we have “Mr Cowal History” Derek Darkins from Dunoon Grammar School talking about the ancient boundaries of Cowal with Manda Watson presenting the “Convalescence Coast” heritage project. On Thursday 19th November we welcome Charles Dixon-Spain who will be talking about ‘adventures in preservation’ at his Dunans Castle home near Glendaruel with Lindsay Docherty delivering a shorter talk about the grisly legend of Sawney Bean!

We will be holding a Christmas party and quiz night in December (date and venue to be confirmed). Our plan of talks from January to May is taking shape and we will share details just as soon as they are finalised.

We also have plans for some more trips out to visit local heritage spots – watch this space for more details.

For this coming season we are adopting a slightly different model by charging a £25 membership per person for the duration of the season (allowing for entry to all eight of our scheduled dates after the opening talk) and a £5 admission charge for non-members for each of the talks.

Up until now we have adopted a fairly informal approach but the occasional shortfall in donations (to cover room hire) and our plans to pay travel expenses for speakers coming from ‘across the watter’ has led to this change. It gives us a bit of flexibility to deliver an ever-more interesting schedule of talks.

Members will also have access to an online archive we are in the process of creating that will include videos of all the talks we hold during the coming season.

Membership forms and membership cards will be available at our first meeting in September for anyone wanting to sign up.

Flyers attached for our first three talks…please help us by sharing on your social media platforms.

We hope you enjoy whatever remains of the summer and look forward to welcoming you back in September!
Ken, Susan, Derek, George & Rob

...and one to get the tastebuds tingling...the Dunoon Taste Trail that showcases the best eateries within the town ..lau...
27/07/2026

...and one to get the tastebuds tingling...the Dunoon Taste Trail that showcases the best eateries within the town ..launched at the recent food and drink festival Dunoon Presents

Three great new heritage trails have been launched around Dunoon highlighting the town's rich history...pop into the Pop...
27/07/2026

Three great new heritage trails have been launched around Dunoon highlighting the town's rich history...pop into the Pop Shop on Hillfoot Street to get your copy! Dunoon Goes POP Dunoon Community Development Trust

24/07/2026

“There’s just so many creative local businesses taking part that visitors will be spoilt for choice with what’s on offer"

Explore the female trailblazers who helped to shape Dunoon with a Castle House Museum guided tour on Sunday 26th July
16/07/2026

Explore the female trailblazers who helped to shape Dunoon with a Castle House Museum guided tour on Sunday 26th July

Pop over to Historic Kilmun tonight for a summer singalong!!
21/06/2026

Pop over to Historic Kilmun tonight for a summer singalong!!

Address

9 CAMMESREINACH Crescent
Dunoon
PA238JZ

Telephone

+447909916770

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