A guide to Tighnabruaich,
Kames, the Kyles of Bute and surrounding areas of the Cowal Peninsula.
The Kyles of Bute is the passage between the charming Scottish villages of Tighnabruaich and Kames on the the mainland of Argyll, and the
north end of the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde. At their widest
less than two miles across, the Kyles narrow to just a few
hundred yards at Rubha Ban (pronounced roo-baan). Tighnabruaich is a Gaelic name meaning "the house on the hill". Aptly named, as the steep hills rising above the shoreline have many "houses on the hill". Whether you are approaching
by road, driving along the narrow and twisty road chiseled and blasted
out of the hillside, or sailing up the Kyle, you are met
with spectacular views. There are several lay-bys with viewpoints along
the road, and on a clear day there are great views of Bute,
Arran and the Ayrshire coast. A recent article in the Scotsman called it "The best scenic drive in Scotland". While road is the normal way to get to Tighnabruaich, the Waverley paddle steamer and other Clyde steamers stop at Tighnabruaich pier a few times a week. Tighnabruaich has been featured in Para Handy's Vital Spark. Doug Noble
View of the West Kyle looking south, from
the road into Tighnabruaich. View of the East Kyle looking south, from
the road above Caladh Harbour. View of the Kyles and the remains of
Auchenlochan Pier, (now finally dismantled) looking over to
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Home to The Kyles)
"THE 10 miles drive to Tighnabruaich from Glendaruel, on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll is not just a passage from one sublime spot to another but is a destination in itself. It helps that to get to it by road from Glasgow, you take in Loch Lomond, Loch Fyne and the Rest and Be Thankful Pass, all beautiful in their own right. But the gob smacking highlight is the A8003, running down the western Kyle of Bute." read more
Approximately 80 miles from Glasgow by road,
Tighnabruaich and the neighboring village of Kames offer a
tranquil getaway for sailors, fishermen and folks who just
want to enjoy the view. There are several small hotels with
restaurants, B&Bs, four pubs, adequate shops, an RBS bank, petrol station, a couple of cafes,
a mechanic and towing service, a bustling boatyard, a hilly 9 hole golf course with sheep wandering across it, and a fish farm or two. My favorite watering hole, the hotel formerly known as The Royal, recently changed it name to a more Scottish flavored name, An Lochan. It offers excellent dining as well as a cozy bar. 
The Kyles are synonymous with sailing. Tighnabruiach and Kames are popular weekend crusing destinations, and as stop overs on the way north to the West Highlands via the Crinan Canal. Sailors have many sheltered
anchorages to choose from, both on the Bute side and along the mainland. Among my favorites is Caladh
Harbor at the top of the Narrows, where you can nestle
in a tranquil spot behind a small island. Closer to civilization,
there are free
moorings and boat ramps at Tighnabruaich village, and at
the Royal Hotel by the now dismantled Auchenlochan Pier, where the petrol
station is located. You will also find moorings by Kames Pier, just below the Kames Hotel. The Kyles of Bute Sailing Club (KoBSC) is a small but active sailing club, organizing racing and childrens activities. And Tignabruaich Sailing
School (now located at Carry Point, a few south of Kames village) offers an outstanding environment where you can learn dinghy sailing and wind surfing. My first experience of sailing was here, learning in such craft as the Loch Long, Wayfarer, Enterprise and GP14. Today's fleet is much more modern, though the Wayfarer still has a place, 30+ years on!
Photo courtesy Catherine McEwan
My connection to the Kyles
I first came to Tighnabruaich in the early 70s with my parents to visit my Dad's partner who had retired there. Dad fell in love with the place, and a few years later acquired shorefront property near Auchenlochan Pier and built a bungalow which he named Dumbiedykes. An enthusiastic gardener, he worked hard to make his garden interesting. The original bungalow was torn down when it was 18 years old, after defects during the original construction were discovered which caused extensive dampness and wood rot in the floor. After a lot of wrangling with the builder, a new bungalow, an almost exact replica, was constructed in 1992, and today commands wonderful views over to Bute and the hills above Colintraive. It is now enjoyed by my sister. It was at Tighnabruaich Sailing School, then run by Robin and Kath Stevens, that I learned to sail as a teenager, on Wayfarer, Enterprise, GP14, and National 12 dinghies as well as the classic Loch Long. I enjoyed crewing and racing on dinghies and yachts around the Kyles. There were always retired folks looking for young and more agile crewmembers to crew in the local races! Whether waking up with the sun streaming across the morning calm, hearing the waves lapping at the shore, sitting out and admiring the boats passing through, or being out on the water sailing, it's a very special and beautiful place. Though I now live several thousand miles away in Florida, home of the hurricanes, Tighnabruaich remains one of my favorite places. (Believe me, midges are nothing compared to our mosquitoes and hurricanes!) This site is dedicated to the memory of my dear departed Dad, Dr. Matthew Hamilton, a "well kent GP of the King Street Surgery, Paisley." He always said "It never rains at Tighnabruaich". Which was his way of saying that there is never a bad day to be beside the Kyles.
The Webmaster 
The spectacular view of Tighnabruaich village, the Kyles, Bute and Colintraive hills
from the Four Winds B&B, Kames Courtesy, Catherine Irving
Bute on a still New Year's morning. With permission, courtesy Robert McTaggart on Flickr
On the left is Bute, and the mountains of Arran are visible in the
distance.
On the left shore is Colintraive, on the right is
Bute.
Bute from the shore below
Dumbiedykes.
A different perspective - view of the Kyles from Google Earth. Click image for a closer look.
Click Map above for more information and driving directions from MultiMap
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Last updated June 22 2007. All photos copyright KylesofBute.com unless otherwise indicated. All rights reserved.