Dunoon 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, they closed their Holy Loch base, and 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. The Royal National Mòd has been held in the town seven times and in 2018 will again be held at
Beinn Mhòr (Cowal) of Benmore Botanic Garden, with a track leading up to the steep grassy slopes of A' Cruach and the secondary tops of Creachan Beag and Creachan Mòr to a wide shoulder leading to the summit of Beinn Mhòr itself. Beinn Mhòr (Cowal) Beinn Mhòr is the highest Mountain on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is relatively little known and infrequently climbed, but has a high topographic prominence to height ratio and consequently commands a good all round view. Beinn Mhor is within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. To its east, Benmore Botanic Garden