Kintyre

Routes

Lochranza - Claonaig

Portavadie - Tarbert

The Kintyre peninsula, Scotland’s only "mainland island", was made famous by the Paul McCartney song ‘Mull of Kintyre’. 

If you take the time to explore the hills, lochs, and bays you will be rewarded with an astounding variety of views, wildlife, and communities whose roots stretch back into the mists of time.

Arran can also be accessed by the ferry from Claonaig, south of Tarbert, to Lochranza. Making it an ideal stop as part of a Clyde Hopscotch.

South of the town the narrow roads cut through the hills to a scattering of dwellings on the famous Mull of Kintyre that overlooks the coast of Ireland.

The west side of the Kintyre peninsula, which carries the main arterial road, provides breathtaking views across the Atlantic fringes and should not be missed. The village of Tayinloan lies about halfway up this coast and it is from here that the ferry to the beautiful island of Gigha leaves. Further to the north, the port of Kennacraig is the terminal for ferries to Islay and Colonsay.

The land to the north of Tarbert, known as Knapdale, offers a huge variety of opportunities for the explorer. If you are in the area then you must explore the beautiful Loch Sween, with its castle on one side.

From the picturesque villages of Crinan and Lochgilphead you have the choice of heading north towards Oban or northeast up the shores of Loch Fyne where you will come upon Inveraray Castle, the seat of the Duke of Argyll, with it's fascinating insight into hundreds of years of Scottish history.