Out&about

Lace up your boots and stride out to enjoy the splendour of lochs, glens, woodland and mountains as part of Scotland’s biggest walking festival

o experience some of the most stunning views in Scotland, pack your rucksack and join the band of merry ramblers taking part in this October’s Cowal Fest.

The Cowal peninsula is one of the hidden gems of Argyll and Bute and its walking festival invites you to climb every mountain and ford every stream. There is a huge selection of walks to explore during this festival. There are heritage walks for history buffs who can step back in time, rambling past ancient chapels and old pilgrimage routes. Fitness fans can join health walks to try out meditation or a T’ai Chi session to warm up before

TCastle Lachlan on the shores of Loch Fyne and Strathban Falls on the Cowal Way (right) heading for the hills.

But it’s the glorious countryside that is the star attraction of this walking festival. You can wander along the shores of Loch Fyne, dip down into the undulating forest roads around Carrick Castle or tiptoe through Puck’s Glen where waterfalls and rapids have created a fairytale woodland experience.

If you are inspired by these magical landscapes, you can join a creative writing walk to stroll through some of the most magical settings, chat with friends and perhaps even pen your own masterpiece.

When your legs need a rest, drop into the Smiddy Museum where you’ll find a blazing forge and an evening of traditional Scottish music. Or if you are still full of energy and raring to go, swap your hiking boots for dancing shoes and head out to a night of local dancing at the walking festival ceilidh.

■ Cowal Fest runs from October 5-12. To find out more, call 01369 703785 or visit www.cowalfest.org

Linger for longerÉ

After tackling your favourite walks, relax at the Colintraive Hotel (01700 841207/www. colintraivehotel.com). While in the area, explore historic Kilmun dating back to 3,500 BC and Benmore Gardens in a magnificent mountainside setting packed with autumn colour (www. rbge.org.uk/ the-gardens/ benmore)