Editing Dunoon (section)

==Culture==
===Architecture===
====Dunoon Pier====
{{main|Dunoon Pier}}
[[File:Dunoon Pier (geograph 2412953).jpg|thumb|Dunoon Pier, pictured in 2011]]

Dunoon's [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] [[pier]] was extended to the current structure between 1896 and 1898.<ref name=hes>[http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB26450 DUNOON PIER WITH WAITING ROOMS AND PIER MASTER'S OFFICE, SIGNAL TOWER AND ADJOINING TEAROOM, TICKET LODGE, PIER RAILINGS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620000852/http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB26450 |date=20 June 2019 }} – [[Historic Environment Scotland]]</ref> It was shortened to allow the building of a [[breakwater (structure)|breakwater]] in 2005, just to the south of the pier. As well as protecting the pier and its architecture from [[storm surges]], a new [[link span]] was installed alongside the breakwater. This was to allow the berthing and loading of [[roll-on/roll-off]] ferries instead of the side-loading ferries that used to serve the pier. A tender to serve the new link-span between two interested parties, [[Caledonian MacBrayne]] and [[Western Ferries]], came to nothing. Prior to June 2011, the pier was in daily use by Caledonian MacBrayne, who ran a regular foot passenger and car-ferry service to [[Gourock]]. However, after June 2011, a renewed tendering process produced a passenger-only ferry service ([[Argyll Ferries]], owned by Caledonian MacBrayne) using the breakwater for berthing. On 1 September 2004, during the construction of the breakwater, the cargo vessel Jackie Moon (82 metres in length) ran aground on the breakwater, with six people on board. Since the breakwater became operational in June 2011, Argyll Ferries operate from this docking facility. The ''Waverley'' struck the breakwater on 26 June 2009, with some 700 people on board. The pier was partially refurbished by [[Argyll and Bute Council]] during 2015. Now containing meeting rooms, it is purely a tourist attraction.<ref name=autogenerated6>{{cite web |url=https://www.piers.org.uk/pier/dunoon/ |title=Dunoon |website=National Piers Society |date=10 June 2015 |access-date=12 December 2016 |archive-date=21 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121174140/https://www.piers.org.uk/pier/dunoon/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Burgh Hall====
{{main|Dunoon Burgh Hall}}
[[File:Burgh Hall Dunoon.jpg|thumb|Dunoon Burgh Hall, 2012]]
Dunoon Burgh Hall opened in 1874, the work of notable Glasgow architect [[Robert Alexander Bryden]], who is buried in [[Dunoon Cemetery]], a mile to the north. It is a [[Scottish baronial architecture|Scottish baronial]]-style building that housed the municipal offices and had a hall accommodating 500 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dunoonburghhall.org.uk/|title=Dunoon's culture and events hub|publisher=Dunoon Burgh Hall|access-date=20 February 2017}}</ref> The [[Category B listed]] building re-opened in June 2017, and is a fully accessible venue for exhibitions, performances and gatherings. Alongside a gallery and theatre, the venue offers creative workshop space, a garden and a café.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-40333428|title=Hall reopens as contemporary arts centre|date=19 June 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref><ref name="theatres">{{cite web|title=Burgh Hall|url=http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/3673-burgh-hall|website=Theatres Database|publisher=The Theatres Trust|access-date=20 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Argyll Street, Burgh Hall Building|url=http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB26439|publisher=Historic Environment Scotland|access-date=20 February 2017}}</ref>

====Other buildings====
On 20 August 2021, several Argyll Street buildings were destroyed in an [[arson]] attack.<ref>[https://www.argyllbute24.co.uk/two-charged-after-fire/ "Two charged after town centre fire"] – ArgyllBute24.co.uk</ref>

===Landmarks and attractions===
[[File:Burn's Highland Mary (21987054818).jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|''Highland Mary'' statue]]

[[Mary Campbell (Highland Mary)|Mary Campbell]], also known as "Highland Mary" and "Bonny Mary O' Argyll", was born at Auchamore Farm in Dunoon. She had a relationship with the bard [[Robert Burns]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.castlehousemuseum.org.uk/post/the-creation-and-controversy-of-dunoon-s-highland-mary|title=The Creation and Controversy of Dunoon's Highland Mary|date=21 June 2022|website=Castle House Museum}}</ref> The [[Highland Mary (statue)|''Highland Mary'' statue]] was erected in 1896; it is prominently sited on Castle Hill, overlooking the breakwater in Dunoon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portaltothepast.co.uk/article/3345/Robert-Burns-and-Highland-Mary |title=Robert Burns and Highland Mary |publisher=Portal to the Past |access-date=14 December 2016 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220212633/http://www.portaltothepast.co.uk/article/3345/Robert-Burns-and-Highland-Mary |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite DNB12 |wstitle= Stevenson, David Watson |volume= 3 |pages= 413-414 |last= Caw |first= James |author-link= James Caw |year=1912|short= 1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB26437 |title=Statue Of 'Highland Mary' |publisher=Portal.historicenvironment.scot |access-date=11 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.robertburns.org/encyclopedia/HighlandHarry.449.shtml |title=Robert Burns Country: The Burns Encyclopedia: Highland Harry |website=Robertburns.org |access-date=22 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glasgowsculpture.com/pg_biography.php?sub=stevenson_dw|title=David Watson Stevenson (1842–1904), sculptor, a biography|first=Tim Gardner -|last=Webmaster}}</ref> The statue is a scheduled monument (LB26437). <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB26437|title=STATUE OF "HIGHLAND MARY" (LB26437)|website=portal.historicenvironment.scot}}</ref>

The war memorial of Dunoon is located in the Castle Gardens, overlooking the pier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/146053|title=Dunoon Cenotaph WW1 and WW2 - War Memorials Online|website=www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk}}</ref>

The [[Queen's Hall, Dunoon|Queen's Hall]] is the town's major multi-function hall complex.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/theatre/queens-hall |title=The Queens Hall – Dunoon &#124; Argyll and Bute Council |website=Argyll-bute.gov.uk |access-date=22 November 2016}}</ref> It is situated opposite the head of the Victorian pier and built in 1958. It was officially opened by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] on 11 August 1958.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sdpscotland.co.uk/events/dunoon-queens-hall-meet-the-buyer/ |title=Dunoon Queens Hall Meet the Buyer – Supplier Development Programme |publisher=Sdpscotland.co.uk |access-date=11 January 2017}}</ref> 

Riverside Swim and Health Centre, including an indoor pool (25m long) and associated facilities, located on Alexandra Parade.

Dunoon Library is situated in the rebuilt Queens Hall at the Castle Gardens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://liveargyll.co.uk/facility/dunoon-library/|title=Dunoon Library}}</ref>

A small group of rocks, known as [[the Gantocks]], lie off the coast at Dunoon. The navigation beacon on the Gantocks in the Firth of Clyde is close to the coast at Dunoon. It was built in 1886.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/TheGantocks|title=Secret Scotland - The Gantocks|website=Secret Scotland}}</ref>

The Clan Lamont Memorial, also known as the Dunoon Massacre Memorial, is on Tom-A-Mhoid Road close to Castle Hill. It was dedicated in 1906 and commemorates the [[Dunoon massacre]] of 1646, when the Campbell Clan attacked the Lamont Clan, killing over 200 people.<ref>{{Canmore | num= 183507| desc=Dunoon, Tom A Mhoid Road, Clan Lamont Memorial|access-date=21 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Clan Lamont Memorial, Dunoon|url=http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/warmemscot-post-42922.html|website=Commemorations Project|publisher=The Scottish Military Research Group|access-date=21 February 2017}} ''Includes several photographs''</ref>

Local wildlife includes [[pinniped|seals]], [[otters]], [[dolphins]], [[basking sharks]], [[roe deer]], [[red deer]], [[red squirrel]]s, and many species of birds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://visitcowal.co.uk/discover-cowal/environment-and-wildlife/where-to-find-wildlife/|title=Where to Find wildlife – visitcowal|access-date=21 February 2017}}</ref>

The [[Castle House, Dunoon|Castle House]] Museum opens during the summer season. It holds historical information and displays for Dunoon and the Cowal peninsula.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.castlehousemuseum.org.uk/ |title=Castle House Museum Dunoon. History, culture, geneaology services, clans and exhibitions |website=Castlehouse Museum|access-date=22 November 2016}}</ref>

===Festivals===
[[File:Cowal Games 2014.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Panoramic view of the 2014 [[Cowal Highland Gathering]]]]

The [[Cowal Highland Gathering]], established in 1894, attracts contestants and spectators from all over the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=COWAL HIGHLAND GATHERING (1974) |url=http://movingimage.nls.uk/film/9437 |website=Moving Image Archive |publisher=National Library of Scotland |access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref> It is held annually over the final weekend in August at [[Dunoon Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowalgathering.com/ |title=Cowal Highland Gathering – World's Biggest Highland Games |website=Cowalgathering.com |access-date=22 November 2016}}</ref>

Cowal Open Studios, held over a fortnight in September, gives the opportunity to visit the studios of artists around Dunoon and Cowal.

Cowalfest celebrates the outdoors activities like rambling around Dunoon for ten days in October.

Since the 1930s Dunoon has hosted the [[Royal National Mòd]] a number of times – 1930, 1950, 1968, 1994, 2000, 2006, 2012 and 2018.<ref name=SMO>[http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaidhlig/mod/ List of Mod's places] for each year on [[Sabhal Mòr Ostaig]] website</ref>

In 2013, the first Dunoon Film Festival was held over three days and opened with first public screening of ''[[Your Cheatin' Heart (TV series)|Your Cheatin' Heart]]'', a series made by the [[BBC]] that had last been shown on television in 1990.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-22480356 |title=Your Cheatin' Heart to open first Dunoon Film Festival |work=BBC News|date=10 May 2013}}</ref>