Here's a few suggestions for things to see and do in Mid-Argyll, Kintyre & Islay:
Wildlife
Islay is the migratory home to thousands of Barnacle and
White Fronted geese, which can be viewed at the acclaimed
RSPB nature reserve at Loch Gruinart. Keep your eyes peeled
for sightings of seals and deer in Kintyre.
Golf
Machrie Golf Course on Islay and the world famous Machrihanish
Golf Club are just two of the challenging links courses
the area has to offer.
Fishing
Excellent trout and salmon filled rivers & lochs can
be found on Islay and Kintyre.
Sailing
The Crinan Canal, built by Thomas Telford at the start
of the 19th Century, is a great place to view the colourful
spectacle of yachts taking this popular shortcut between
Loch Fyne and the Hebridean islands. A spectacle not to be missed is the West Highland Yachting Week (July/August) when the boats arrive in Tarbert.
Horse-riding
Where better to experience riding of all disciplines than
in the beautiful Mid Argyll & Kintyre countryside,
with centres with centres at Ardrishaig, Tarbert, Inveraray and Glenbarr.
Mid-Argyll, Kintyre & Islay Tarbert
An unexplored and unique peninsula stretching
westwards to within sight of Ireland, Kintyre holds many
secrets and surprises.
Gardens
ablaze with colour, stunning beaches, rolling hillsides, charming
shoreside villages and a rich history - Kintyre is ‘quintessential
Argyll’.
For so long bypassed by the main tourist routes through Scotland,
the Kintyre Peninsula has remained uniquely unspoilt through
the years.
The twisting east coast road meanders over heather-clad hills,
through lush glens and forests, by sandy shores and rocky headlands,
with constant panoramic views of the Kilbrannan Sound and the
mountains of the Isle of Arran.
To the west, the coast is rugged with some glorious beaches,
crashing surf and the blue Atlantic Ocean. West Loch Tarbert,
from where the ferry for Islay and Jura departs, has been described
as Scotland’s most beautiful sealoch, whilst the tiny island
of Gigha is lush, fertile and relaxing.
Machrihanish Bay
Renewing ancient
links
Kintyre’s main community in the south is Campbeltown, the one time
capital of Scotch Whisky making, now a peaceful little town close
to the Mull of Kintyre, made famous by Paul McCartney’s song.
From here the hills on Antrim in Northern Ireland are clearly visible,
just 12 miles away. Columba landed here on his great pilgrimage
- leaving his Saintly footprints in a rock near the Mull.
Campbeltown
Campbeltown
Heritage Centre is a fascinating way to learn about the cultural,
natural and industrial development of Kintyre.
At the mouth of Campbeltown loch is Davaar Island, reached
by foot at low tide, with its cave paintings depicting the
crucifixion. Far from ancient, they were painted in 1887 by
Archibald MacKinnon, inspired by a dream.
Maintaining Campbeltown’s whisky-making traditions, Springbank
Distillery, founded in 1828 by the Mitchell family - and still
in their hands today - retains the old distilling methods
and welcomes visitors, provided you phone beforehand. There is a second distillery in Campbeltown called Glen Scotia which is reportedly haunted by a previous distillery owner.
Close by, Glenbarr Abbey is an 18th century Gothic mansion
and visitor centre, offering a fascinating glimpse of family
life in years gone by.
To the north lies the pretty harbour town of Tarbert. Tarbert
Castle, overlooking the bay, dates from the 13th Century.
Network Carradale Visitor Centre relates local history, while
north again is Skipness, with its 13th Century Castle.
It is perhaps the history of this area which fascinates most. At Saddell
Abbey, north of Campbeltown, lies the legendary Somerled, who overcame
the Vikings to found the powerful ‘Lordship of the Isles’,
beginning the reign of the Clan Donald and helping preserve the rich
culture of the Gaels as a way of life in the West Highlands for centuries
to come.
The Great
Outdoors
The Gulf Stream warms the waters around Kintyre and wild flowers
appear in profusion. The splendid seasonal displays of rhododendrons
at Achamore Gardens on the Isle of Gigha offer garden enthusiasts
a real treat.
Wildlife abounds, with many rocky shores playing host to colonies
of grey and common seals. Several species of deer roam the hillsides,
and even otters are common, if somewhat elusive. Likewise, majestic
birds of prey breeding locally can be spotted by the ‘eagle-eyed’
visitor.
Isle of Gigha
Along with superb walks and wildlife watching,
either hillside or shoreside, golf is another popular activity for
the visitor, with five courses in Kintyre. The most famous is the
championship course at Machrihanish, with its stunning and infamous
first hole, authoritatively voted the best opening hole in the world,
no less.
A short ferry crossing leads to the peace and tranquillity of ‘God’s
Island’ – Gigha. The island is ideal for walks, cycling
and bird watching. Visit the walled garden of Achamore House with
its camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons and magnolias.
