Benmore Outdoor Centre - Group Stays

14/04/2026

What a privilege to have this piece of history on our doorstep and to be able to watch it grow over the years. 🌳 🫶

09/04/2026

Fantastic to have Benmore House listed as part of the best group accommodations amongst so many gems.

Thank you Wild Scotland

02/04/2026

A great new exhibition at Benmore Botanic Garden stables. Showing The Forgotten Fleece Tales until 17th May.

02/04/2026

Happy Easter to our followers 🐣🏔️

April on the West Coast is something truly special, bursting with colour and wildlife.

Whether you're looking for a group reset or weekend adventure, stay at the ‘centre’ of it all.

Plan your next group escape: Experienceoutdoors.org.uk

Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative Argyll and Bute Registrars Argyll Weddings and Events Dunoon Argyll Scotland Girlguiding Argyll Inner Solas - Health & Wellbeing Retreat Scotland University of Strathclyde University of the West of Scotland University of Glasgow

25/03/2026

Benmore and Lagganlia Outdoor Centres are promoting responsible outdoor access by distributing the ScotWays "Public Access in Scotland - Know Your Rights" guide, helping young adventurers understand their rights and responsibilities.

The guide is available free of charge for schools and groups, supporting the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Book your Stay at www.experienceoutdoors.org.uk

19/03/2026

20th March – The Turn of the Season at Benmore 🌸

Today’s the day - the Spring Equinox.

The moment the West Coast finally tips the scales away from those long winter nights and back towards the light. 🌓

Up here at Benmore, you can feel the change in the air. It’s that cracking time of year where the frost starts to lose its grip and the "Big Trees" get their first real soak of spring sunshine.

Here’s what’s waking up around Benmore House:
🌲 Golden Hour in the Redwoods: The light is stretching further down the Avenue every evening.
🎶 The Forest Choir: The birds are back at it, and the Benmore is finally noisy again.
🌺 A Splash of Colour: The first buds are peeking through at the Botanic Garden - spring is officially on the way.

There's nothing quite like Benmore when the light starts to linger.
It's the perfect time to shake off the winter by booking a group stay at Benmore House 🌿

Ready to get back outdoors?
🔗 experienceoutdoors.org.ukto see what’s available and book your summer stay.



Benmore Botanic Garden
Wild About Argyll
Wild Scotland

Dunoon Presents
Argyll and Bute Registrars Explore Cowal

Inner Solas - Health & Wellbeing Retreat Scotland University of Strathclyde University of the West of Scotland

16/03/2026

🌿 Adventure Awaits in Argyll

Discover the Hidden Gems of the West Coast! 🏰✨

Staying at Benmore Outdoor Centre means you are perfectly placed to explore the very best of Argyll. From enchanted gardens to historic jails, there is something for every explorer this season.

📍 Don’t miss these local favourites:

Benmore Botanic Garden: Step out of your room and into 120 acres of world-famous mountainside greenery and towering Redwoods.

Puck's Glen: Wander through one of Scotland’s most magical atmospheric forest walks, filled with tumbling waterfalls.

Inveraray Castle: Take a trip back in time at these iconic historic sites, just a scenic drive away.

Loch Eck: Perfect for a peaceful stroll or a day of freshwater fishing right on our doorstep.

Ready to build your Argyll itinerary? Check out our full guide to local attractions here:
🔗 https://www.experienceoutdoors.org.uk/argyll-attractions


Wild Scotland Wild About Argyll GroupAccommodation.com

11/03/2026

🔭 The Science of Flight & Survival | Summer 2026 Group Stays

It’s British Science Week, and this year the theme is CURIOSITY!

At Benmore, nature is the ultimate teacher. Have you ever wondered about the physics of a Buzzard soaring on mountain thermals? Or the unique engineering that allows a tiny Nuthatch to defy gravity by climbing head-first down a tree?

Benmore House is an ideal base for birdwatching clubs, photography societies, and outdoor enthusiasts, with the 120-acre Benmore Botanic Garden on our door step, featuring their Wildlife Hide to the Giant Redwoods. The wider Cowal also area offers your group access to a landscape teeming with life.

☀️ SUMMER 2026 - Looking for a practical, self-led base for your next group expedition?

📣We have rare late availability for summer 2026📣

✅ Bunk-Style Comfort: Dorm accommodation for up to 125 - perfect for large, organised groups.
✅ Total Freedom: No fixed schedules or instructed activities. Explore the Argyll Forest and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park at your own pace.
✅ Observe & Discover: Spot specialists like the Heron, Goldcrest, Siskin, and Sparrowhawk and many more, in their natural habitat.

Be curious. Plan your discovery. Book today.
🖱️Email: [email protected]


scotland RSPB Scotland GroupAccommodation.com Wild Scotland
Wild About Argyll

03/03/2026

Celebrate World Wildlife Day on 3 March at Benmore Outdoor Centre! 🐿️

Located within the stunning Benmore Botanic Garden in Argyll, our centre is a haven for the UK’s rare red squirrels. For the best chance of a sighting, head to the Benmore Botanic Garden's dedicated viewing hide to watch these iconic creatures scuttle through spectacular trees or visit the feeders.

Spotting Tips -
Timing: They are most active in the early morning or late afternoon.
Season: March is a prime time for sightings as they begin foraging for fresh spring foliage.

Make an Impact -
Your visit supports the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project, which monitors populations and manages the impact of invasive grey squirrels. Share your sightings with , and

Book your big group stay at Benmore Outdoor Centre today: www.experienceoutdoors.org.uk

VisitScotland Wild Scotland Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels .arborists Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative Wild About Argyll Dunoon Presents GroupAccommodation.com Tripadvisor Explore Cowal

19/02/2026

Getting the kids out the door on a chilly morning can feel like a feat, but there’s a special kind of magic in that first "crunch" of frost underfoot! ❄️✨

At our outdoor centres Benmore on the West Coast and Lagganlia in the Highlands we see it every day: a quick winter stroll does more than just wake up the legs.

It’s about those rosy-cheeked smiles, the boost in confidence as they navigate the elements, and that incredible "brain reset" that only fresh air can provide.

Whether they are trekking through our forest trails or just walking to the local school gates, that little bit of morning adventure sets them up for a day of better focus and even better moods. 🧠💪

We’re big believers that there’s no such thing as "staying inside" weather - only "grab your hat and gloves" weather! 🧤☕

Inspired to get your group outdoors?

Whether you're looking for a snowy escape or a summer expedition, we’re the perfect base for your next journey. Book your winter (or any season!) adventure base at one of our centres today!

👉 Explore our centres and book here: https://www.experienceoutdoors.org.uk/

📖 Read more on the magic of winter walks: https://kawarthanow.com/2026/02/05/how-a-winter-walk-to-school-is-both-beneficial-and-fun-for-kids/

By GreenUP. Active School Travel Peterborough encourages winter walking to boost children's physical, social, and emotional health.

16/02/2026

🌳 Nature doesn't just heal children - it’s the reset button adults need, too. 🌲

A recent study by researchers at Lund University highlights how a lack of time in nature is fueling anxiety and hindering healthy development in young people. But at Benmore Outdoor Centre, we know that "nature deficit" doesn't disappear when we grow up.

Mental health is a lifelong journey, and the fresh air around here is the perfect remedy for the stresses of adult life.

📣 Bookings are now OPEN for big groups! 📣

Whether you are planning a corporate retreat, a large family gathering, or a community club getaway, Benmore offers the space to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with each other.

As part of Outdoor Education Edinburgh (alongside Lagganlia and Bangholm), we provide the perfect setting for:

✅ Team building that actually reduces burnout.
✅ Shared adventures that boost collective wellbeing.
✅ A chance for adults to rediscover the resilience and joy we often leave behind in childhood.

Give your group the gift of the great outdoors. Book your stay at Benmore today and support a centre dedicated to improving mental health for all generations.

We want to know: What was your favourite outdoor experience when you were a child? Do you still make time for that kind of magic now? Let’s chat in the comments! 👇✨

12/02/2026

Thinking about hosting your own Getaway?

Whether it's a massive family reunion, a sports club getaway, or a weekend with your Scouting or Guiding group, Benmore House is the ultimate base for a great gathering This 19th-century manor house is nestled right inside the magical Benmore Botanic Gardens and can sleep up to 127 people.

It’s big & it’s bold. Here is why your group will love it:
• Shared Spaces: We’ve got two large dining rooms, and four common room that are perfect for various activities
• Stunning Nature and surrounding: Explore the woodlands and coastline all within walking distance
• Adventures for Everyone (upon enquiry): Our expert instructors can lead your group through gorge walking, canoeing on Loch Eck, caving🌊🔥
• Inclusive & Flexible: From cosy twin rooms to larger dorms, we cater to all ages. Plus, we offer fully catered, part-catered, or self-catering options to suit your group’s budget.

Ready to trade the screen time for some serious green time? 🌲 Whether you're planning for 2026 or beyond, we have availability during weekends and school holidays.

👉 Book your next big group adventure at Benmore via www.experienceoutdoors.org.uk
📍 Location: Benmore House, Argyll (just 1,5hrs from Glasgow, 3 hours from Edinburgh & 15 mins from Dunoon).