Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute is the second largest, but also one of the least populated, council areas in Scotland. The stunningly beautiful region on the west coast far surpasses most other parts of the British Islands in terms of diversity of landscape and of nature. Apart from its main territory, Argyll and Bute encompasses 30 extremely indented islands, which, together with the countless deep fiords, constitute a coastline longer than the whole coastline of France. These outstanding natural surroundings have turned the area into a first-choice destination for fans of tourism off the beaten track. Beside the undeniable attractiveness of scenery, the region boasts a rich and diverse cultural heritage - from the Iona island, the cradle of Christianity in Scotland, to many pagan monuments and dozens of Medieval castles. The largest settlements in Argyll and Bute are the administrative centre Lochgilphead and the scenic historical village Inveraray with its gleaming white houses.