Editing Dunoon (section)

{{Short description|Town in Argyll and Bute, Scotland}}
{{about|the Scottish town|}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox UK place
| gaelic_name                      = Dùn Omhain
| official_name                    = Dunoon
| type                             = Town
| static_image_name                = File:Harbour at Dunoon - geograph.org.uk - 49147.jpg
| static_image_width               = 280
| static_image_caption             = Harbour at Dunoon, looking north over [[Dunoon Pier]] to the Firth of Clyde and Dunoon Harbour from [[Castle House, Dunoon|Castle Hill]] (1997)
| population                       = {{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Dunoon}}
| population_ref                   = ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref>{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
| unitary_scotland                 = Argyll and Bute
| lieutenancy_scotland             = Argyll and Bute
| constituency_westminster         = [[Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber (UK Parliament constituency)|Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Argyll and Bute (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Argyll and Bute]]
| country                          = Scotland
| coordinates                      = {{coord|55.9509|-4.9262|region:GB_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| os_grid_reference                = NS173769
| map_type                         = Argyll and Bute
| map_alt                          =
| map_relief                       = 
| post_town                        = DUNOON
| postcode_area                    = PA
| postcode_district                = PA23
| dial_code                        = 01369
| edinburgh_distance_mi            = 67
| london_distance_mi               = 364
| website                          = 
| hide_services                    = yes 
}}
'''Dunoon''' ({{IPAc-en|d|ʌ|ˈ|n|uː|n}};<ref>{{cite LPD|3|Dunoon}}</ref> {{langx|gd|Dùn Omhain}} {{IPA|gd|t̪un ˈo.ɪɲ|}}) is the main town on the [[Cowal]] peninsula in [[Argyll and Bute]], Scotland. It is located on the western shore of the upper [[Firth of Clyde]], to the south of the [[Holy Loch]] and to the north of [[Innellan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=OS 25-inch map 1892–1949, with Bing opacity slider|url=http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=13&lat=55.9668&lon=-4.9197&layers=168&b=3|website=National Library of Scotland|publisher=Ordnance Survey|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref> As well as forming part of the [[subdivisions of Scotland|council area]] of Argyll and Bute, Dunoon also has its own [[community council]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.community-council.org.uk/dunooncommunitycouncil/index.asp?pageid=72392|title=Dunoon Community Council &#124; Home & Latest News|website=www.community-council.org.uk}}</ref> It was a [[burgh]] until 1976.<ref name=chronicles/>

The early history of Dunoon often revolves around two feuding clans: the [[Clan Lamont|Lamonts]] and the [[Clan Campbell|Campbells]]. The town was a popular destination when travel by [[Steamship|steamships]] was common around the Firth of Clyde; Glaswegians described this as going ''[[doon the watter]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/scottish-phrase-week-doon-watter-1522834|title=Scottish phrase of the week: Doon the watter|website=www.scotsman.com|date=21 October 2014 }}</ref> This diminished, and many holidaymakers started to go elsewhere as roads and railways improved and the popularity of overseas travel increased.

In 1961, during the height of the [[Cold War]], Dunoon became a [[garrison town]] to the [[United States Navy]]. In 1992, shortly after the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], they closed their Holy Loch base in [[Sandbank, Argyll and Bute|Sandbank]], and neighbouring Dunoon suffered an economic downturn. Since the base's closure, the town and surrounding area are again turning to tourism, marketing to outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife lovers, as well as promoting festivals and competitions. The largest annual event held in the town is the [[Cowal Highland Gathering]], which has been held since 1894.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowalgathering.com/|title=Cowal Highland Gathering – World's Biggest Highland Games|first=SAMTEQ|last=www.samteq.co.uk|access-date=21 February 2017}}</ref> The [[Royal National Mòd]] has also been held in the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ancomunn.co.uk/nationalmod/moddetail/future-mod-dates|title=An Comunn Gàidhealach – Royal National Mod : Mod News|last=info@reefnet.co.uk|access-date=21 February 2017}}</ref>