Dunoon
Dunoon has a population of something over 8000 people, making it one of the largest towns in the Argyll area. During the 19th century it was a popular holiday destination with ferries bringing people from Glasgow down the Clyde ("doon the watter") to the famous Dunoon pier.
Holy Loch
One of Dunoon's main claims to fame is its proximity to Holy Loch ("An Loch Sianta"). This lies just North of Dunoon and from 1961 until 1992 was the site of a major US Naval base. The Loch base was home to a Polaris nuclear submarine fleet and as such it was the target for many nuclear disarmament protests. The closure of the base and consequent withdrawal of these weapons may have been a victory for world peace however it caused severe problems for the economy of Dunoon which had grown reliant on the American presence.The closure of the base combined with the increasing tendancy of people to prefer foreign holidays led to Dunoon suffering badly during the late 20th century. Fortunately it has recently been reinvigorating itself as a tourist gateway to the surrounding areas. Local attractions include the stunning Loch Ech, Benmore Botanic Gardens (over 300 species of rhododendron!) and the Cowall Golf Club. Cowall is also home to the annnual Cowal Highland Gathering, the world's largest and most spectacular Highland Games.
Dunoon is also building a reputation for newer industries such as pottery and fine bone china from Dunoon Mugs who have a factory shop ("The Pot Shop") open to the public.
For the afficionado of the strange Dunoon is probably best known as the 2007 home of the Swamp Soccer tournament. That's football in the mud! For 2008 the tournament has moved to a larger venue about twenty minutes drive away in Strachur, Argyll.
Dunoon also has a (slim) Doctor Who connection. Sylvester McCoy who played the seventh Doctor was born in Dunoon and attended Dunoon Grammar School.
Details may have changed since this page was
written. Please check with the venue for latest
information.
External Links:
Swamp Soccer
