Discover Rhu: Coast, Gardens and Trails

Rhu combines impressive coastal scenery with garden history, architecture and different ways to explore the surrounding area on foot or from the water. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Rhu can first experience the character of the place through Rhu Bay and Rhu Point, then shape their trip with cultural discoveries or an active day on the Highlandman's Hike.

Coastal Scenery and Traces of the Ice Age

The Rhu Conservation Area encompasses the coastal landscape of Rhu Bay from the marina to the lighthouse at Rhu Point. This places a clearly defined stretch of coast at the centre, where landscape and geology are directly connected. Rhu Point is cut into the terminal moraine ridge of the Loch Lomond readvance glacier, which once occupied the basin of the Gare Loch.

The terminal moraine at Rhu Point is among the early examples in Scotland to have been comprehensively studied and explained in connection with former glaciers. Its deposits form an important stratigraphic archive of the environmental and geomorphological changes in western Scotland during the Late Glacial and early Holocene. This makes the stretch of coast interesting for visitors not only because of its scenic impressions, but also because it tells the story of how the landscape was formed.

Gardens, Church and Historic Architecture

Glenarn provides a particular highlight with its well-established horticultural collection. It is dominated mainly by rhododendron species and hybrids and also includes many magnolias. The surviving accession books document the development of the garden and record specimens from the period spanning the 1850s to the 1980s. Anyone interested in plants, gardens and the development of a collection over time will find a different way of experiencing Rhu here than on the coast.

Rhu and Shandon Parish Church also embodies several historical layers. William Spense designed the church in 1851; it is the third church to have been built on this site. The grounds also contain monuments dating from the 17th to the 19th century. This historical picture is complemented by Ardenvohr, a large and richly detailed example of a representative mid-19th-century Baronial-style villa. Ardenvohr was built for Daniel Walkinshaw in 1857. In 1937, the Royal Northern moved its clubhouse from Rothesay to Ardenvohr in Rhu.

Hiking and Sailing as Different Ideas for a Day Out

The Highlandman's Hike is suitable for trip planning that takes the condition of the route into account. The route follows pavements, unsurfaced footpaths and forest tracks, includes a moderately steep descent to Rhu and then a flat return route along the coast. This sequence offers a clear choice between different landscape impressions and should be considered in day planning just as much as sturdy footwear suited to the route.

A second perspective is offered by Rival Sailing. Day sailing trips are available from Rhu Marina on the Firth of Clyde. This allows you to add an activity on the water to your stay, rather than viewing the coastal landscape only from land. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you want to focus on walks and landscape history, garden and architectural heritage, or a combination with sailing. The right holiday apartment in Rhu will depend above all on which of these experiences you want to shape your trip.

More Destinations for Trip Planning

If you would like to expand your search to other destinations, you can find Dalavich, Kames, Inveraray, Dalmally, Colintraive, Port Bannatyne, Isle of Jura and Helensburgh here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Argyll And Bute.