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 at with centres at Ardrishaig, Tarbert, Inveraray and Glenbarr.
At every turn, the sea-fringed West
Highland landscape of Mid Argyll is steeped in history,
from the pre-historic sculptures of Kilmartin and Knapdale
to the elegant ducal home of the once feared Clan Campbell.
Fertile
valleys, sea-washed shores and ancient landmarks make Mid Argyll
a most fascinating holiday experience.
Lochs Caolisport, Fyne and Gaimeanhach…..magical Gaelic names
in the heart of Scotland of old. In Kilmartin Glen and Knapdale
there still exists plentiful evidence of this ancient heritage,
from standing stones and burial cairns to castles and fortified
strongholds. Mid Argyll is a uniquely atmospheric cradle of early
Gaelic culture.
Scotland’s
Birthplace
At Dunadd, near Lochgilphead, lie the remains of an ancient
hill fort, signs of the first ‘Scots’ settlers from
Ireland back in the 6th Century and the original ‘capital’
of ‘Scot’-land.
In the Kilmartin area lie reminders of prehistoric times, from
Bronze Age cup-and-ring engravings to standing stone circles.
In the local churchyard, sculptured stones are preserved - burial
slabs and the remains of intricate crosses dating back to the
16th Century.
Kilmartin House is an interpretative centre illustrating this
history. Even the oldest stone castle on the Scottish mainland
- the 12th Century Castle Sween - is near at hand.
Keills Chapel, Knapdale
Crinan Canal
In Knapdale, south
of Lochgilphead, more fascinating evidence of times long past
is clear. On the upper reaches of Loch Caolisport lies St Columba’s
Cave, traditionally thought to have been used by the famous
saint on his 6th Century crusade from Ireland.
An altar on a rock shelf, carved crosses and a large, font-shaped
basin all indicate the presence of the saint. More recent times
are illustrated at the Auchindrain Highland Township, south
of Inveraray, an original Highland village restored and furnished
to allow the visitor a glimpse of everyday Highland life in
centuries gone by.
Wild Argyll
Mid Argyll’s enthralling history is not all that lures
the visitor. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty, with
superb views across the water to the majestic Isle of Jura and
is the ideal location for those who enjoy walking.
Wildlife is abundant, and the best way to appreciate the wild
variety is to walk or cycle on the many quiet roads and tracks,
or take a walk through Moine Mhor, near Crinan, which is an
excellent nature reserve.
Campbell’s Kingdom
Similarly,
the area is famed for its gardens. The gardens at Stonefield Castle,
Kilmory Woodland Park and Crarae Glen can be appreciated for their
colour and spectacle. Likewise, the Crinan Canal, constructed at the
end of the 18th Century, is full of colour as yachtsmen take this
famous short cut from Loch Fyne to the Atlantic.
Near the head of Loch Fyne,
the source of bountiful seafood and the famous kipper, is the
attractive model estate village of Inveraray, overlooked by
its elegant castle - still the seat of the once omnipotent Dukes
of Argyll.
Inveraray Jail, in the heart of the town, recreates a courtroom
and prison conditions at the turn of the century, with authentic
jailers to help you imagine life behind bars.
Berthed at Inveraray’s pier is the Arctic Penguin Maritime
Heritage Museum, an old ‘cutter’ depicting life at
sea on the West Coast of Scotland and around the world.
Inveraray
Excellent views can be had from the Bell Tower,
126 feet high and housing Scotland’s finest ring of bells. Argyll
Wildlife Park near Inveraray offers 55 acres of nature trails and
walks to enjoy, and is home to badgers, racoons, monkeys and many
other species. Visitors wishing to trace local ancestral routes or
learn more about the area can do so at the Here We Are Centre at Cairndow.
