Cowal before it was the defended medieval homestead of the MacEwens; at first there was a palisaded enclosure, and then a promontory fort with a timber rampart. The remote areas in the north east of Cowal, which were theoretically under the dominion of Clan Lamont, were used by Scottish kings for hunting; indeed, Cowal was the last part of Britain to have wild boar. When King John Balliol was threatened by his rival, Robert de Bruys, Balliol's ally, the king of England, established Henry Percy at Carrick Castle, in the region; likewise Dunoon Castle further south. De Bruys expelled the English
2017 Scottish Rally Championship Beaton were declared champions in their Ford Fiesta R5. With only one event left to run the pair were uncatchable in the points table. For season 2017 there was seven events held predominantly on gravel surfaces. Due to calendar changes within the British Rally Championship, the "Scottish Rally", usually held in June was brought forward to May. June, meanwhile welcomed a new event to the calendar, the "Argyll Rally" which saw a return to the forests of Cowal after an absence of 14 years. Points are awarded to the highest placed registered drivers on each event as follows: 30, 28,