Tighnabruaich, on the west side of the Kyles of Bute, takes its name from the Gaelic which means 'House on the Hillside' . Steamers were not an uncommon sight through the picturesque Kyles, which made stops at the sheltered pier. Hutcheson steamers stopped at Tighnabruaich from 1864 and Lochgoil and Lochlong Steamboat Company boats stopped here from 1877.

The village is quaint, although stretches along the main road for some 4 kilometres and is renowned for its links with sailing and of course the paddle steamers that used to serve both Tighnabruaich and Tarbert well in the 1800's. The life boat station here was opened in 1967. There is also a boat yard and a popular sailing school.

Cycling and walking are two popular pastimes here, as is golf, with shinty the competitive sport played by the village on a successful national level. The shops here are few with a small gift shop, art gallery, post office and coffeee shops.