Colintraive is located on the west coast of the Cowal peninsula. Its area includes Ardtaraig and Loch Striven to the northwest, the head and the shores of Loch Riddon in the northeast, while the village itself faces the Kyles of Bute.^[3] The Colintraive area extends further south to Couston and around this hill back into Loch Striven again.

The name Colintraive derives from Gaelic and means "swimming strait" or "swimming narrows". In the past, cattle were swum over from the Isle of Bute to Colintraive on their way to the markets of lowland Scotland.^[4]

The village possesses a few facilities, primarily the Colintraive Hotel,^[5] and its small adjoining post office. A Heritage Centre opened in 2009.^[6]

The nearest town of notable size on the mainland is Dunoon.

Colintraive and its nearest neighbouring village of Glendaruel share a shinty team named Col-Glen (which is the combined first segments of both names). An active bowling club meets regularly during the summer and winter season.

Colintraive and Glendaruel are located on the Cowal Way.

The name Col-Glen is also used by the local development trust, which was set up to combat the declining population and economy in the two villages.^[7] Glendaruel local Michael Russell MSP said of the project: "A small and fragile community like Colintraive and Glendaruel must go forward or it will inexorably decline — in population, in services and in viability." Falling rapidly in recent years, the total adult population of the two villages combined was estimated at 250 in 2009.^[8]

For over 60 years, until the late 1990s, Caol Ruadh, one of Colintraive's Victorian mansions set in a 20-acre estate, was used as a residential school for children from Glasgow with special educational needs. Financial concerns caused the Glasgow City Council first to reduce subsidies and later to sell the property after it use reduced when user charges were introduced.^[9][10][11] In 2012, the grounds were opened as a sculpture park for contemporary sculpture and art works.^[12]

The village no longer has its own primary school; pupils are instead bussed to Kilmodan. Secondary-school pupils attend Dunoon Grammar School, the only secondary school in Cowal.

Colintraive lies at the southern end of the mainland section of the A886, which links to the Isle of Bute. A ferry crosses the 450 yards (410 m) gap^[13] to Rhubodach on Bute, giving access to the tourist town of Rothesay. West Coast Motors provides a bus service, including via the 478 Dunoon–Portavadie route.

The Colintraive & Glendaruel Community Council consists of six members, and meets every third Monday of the month (except July and December).

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  MV Loch Dunvegan
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  The same ferry, from Dundarrach
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  Colintraive bowling green
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  Cloud signals over Colintraive

• Map sources for Colintraive