Kintyre Way

Famous as ‘Scotland’s only mainland island’, the remote Kintyre peninsula has all the usual Highland ingredients - magnificent scenery, abundant wildlife, a wealth of history and famous whisky distilleries - but with the added attraction of being one of the least explored corners of Scotland.

The Kintyre Way begins at Tarbert in the north and criss-crosses this beautiful peninsula to end at Dunaverty Bay on its southern shore. Along the way it takes in heather moorland, rolling hills, tranquil glens, deserted beaches, pine-scented forests, sparkling lochs and lush farmland. It also passes standing stones, burial cairns, shielings, castles, chapels, churches, an abbey, little harbours packed with fishing boats and bustling ports. The views from the trail are breathtaking – from the west coast there are glorious views of the islands of Jura, Islay, Cara, Gigha and Ireland, whilst from the east coast there are superb views of Arran’s craggy mountains.

Highlights of the walk include Tarbert’s pretty waterfront; the ivy-cloaked ruin of Robert the Bruce’s castle; the elaborately carved medieval gravestones at Kilbrannan Chapel; the imposing ruin of Skipness Castle; the home-baked cakes at Skipness Village Stores; the remarkable medieval grave slabs decorated with life-size relief figures of knights at Saddell Abbey; Carradale’s pretty little harbour; the tall, intricately carved Celtic cross in Campbeltown; enjoying a relaxing dram after a tour of Springbank, the oldest family-owned distillery in Scotland; the beautiful beach at Machrihanish; St Columba’s Footprints, made by the saint en route for Iona in AD 563; and the abundant wildlife. Common and grey seals basking on inshore rocks are a common sight all around the coast. With luck you may also spot an otter foraging in the seaweed or fishing close in. Birdlife is abundant and varied with over 400 species recorded on the peninsula including divers, terns, oystercatcher, curlew, kittiwake, gannet, shag, cormorant, fulmars, chough, grouse, peregrine and golden eagle. Red deer, roe deer and wild goats roam the hillsides.