Six Kintyre castles and abbeys you can’t miss!

Scotland's Adventure Coast

The Kintyre peninsula stretches south toward Ireland and has a turbulent, bloody past. Fought over, invaded, captured and recaptured, this finger of land has a fascinating tale to tell. One way to get closer to the area’s history is to visit its castles and abbeys, from Tarbert Castle in the north to Dunaverty Castle in the south.

Discover the top Kintyre castles and abbeys you can’t miss in this blog.

The Kintyre Castle Trail

Travel through epic landscapes as you follow this historical trail which criss-crosses Kintyre. You’ll discover some great places to eat and drink along the way.

Tarbert Castle

The ruined Tarbert Castle sits high on a rocky outcrop overlooking Tarbert harbour. The earliest stone structure on this site dates from the 13th century, possibly earlier. The fortification guarded the anchorage below in the bay, and controlled the land link between Tarbert’s East and West Lochs. Robert the Bruce played an important role in reinforcing and enlarging it in 1325, with the extensive curtain wall and drum towers enclosing almost two acres. The Castle Heritage Park is an excellent spot for a family picnic, with a nature pond and sculpture walk to entertain the kids. Waymarked walks continue further up the hillside, including the first section of the Kintyre Way.

The castle is free to visit and open year-round. Tarbert is a bustling fishing village, with shops, cafés and art galleries. It hosts a range of events and festivals throughout the year.

Skipness Castle

From Tarbert it’s a short drive to reach Skipness Castle, a partial ruin on Kintyre’s east coast. The main structure was built in the early 13th century by the Clan MacSween, with later fortifications and other additions made through the 13th, 14th and 16th centuries. You can climb up a narrow staircase to the roof for incredible views across the Kilbrannan Sound to Arran. Look out for the crosslet arrow slits in the west range – these are rare features in a Scottish castle. The location is stunning, with lots to see and do. Enjoy some great seafood at the Skipness Seafood Cabin, pop into the Skipness Smokehouse Shop and walk along the shore to St Brendan’s Chapel. The castle is free to visit and open year-round.

Castles & Abbeys in Kintyre

Dunaverty Castle

Little remains of the ruined Dunaverty Castle at Southend, but the site has an intriguing story. Robert the Bruce stayed here in 1306 while on the run from Edward I of England. Over the following centuries, it was often the scene of conflict. In 1647, in the Battle of Dunaverty, some 300 people, mainly MacDonalds and MacDougalls, were killed in a massacre. Their bodies were later interred in a mass grave, today marked by a cottage-like stone tomb standing in a field just to the south of the village of Southend. Several other interesting historical sites are nearby, including Keil Caves, St. Columba’s Footprints, and St. Columba’s Chapel. Feeling peckish? Head to Muneroy Tearoom for fabulous cakes.

Kilchrist Castle

Dugald McTavish, an under-sheriff of Kintyre and a Macrihanish mine-owner, built this castle in 1834. The castle rests on ancient, partially vaulted foundations, whose precise origins are unknown. Fancy bringing the king (or queen) of the castle? Kilchrist Castle is available to let year-round and sleeps up to 12 guests. Or you could stay at Kilchrist Castle Cottages, in a lovely location within the castle grounds.

Glenbarr Abbey

This historic house sits in the pretty village of Glenbarr on the west side of the Kintyre peninsula, between Muasdale and Bellochantuy. It’s currently closed for remodelling and maintenance, but when it does reopen, make sure you pay a visit. A tour offers a glimpse of family life in a beautiful 18th-century house, with a wealth of exhibits on show, including 19th-century fashions, antique toys, and gloves worn by Mary Queen of Scots.

Nearby, Glenbarr Stores, Café and Nursery is a great spot for refreshments. Tuck into delicious home baking and tasty lunches featuring lots of local produce.

Saddell Abbey

Follow the B842 up the east coast of the Kintyre peninsula from Campbeltown to Carradale, and you’ll come to the tiny hamlet of Saddell, home to Saddell Abbey. Ragnall, son of Somairle mac Gille Brigte, founded this Cistercian monastery in 1207. It’s now ruined, but is a fascinating and atmospheric place to explore. The highlight is a remarkable collection of late medieval grave slabs, displayed in a shelter. There are twelve of these stones, dating to the 1300s or 1400s. From Saddell, you can walk to Saddell Bay, passing Saddle Castle, now fabulous self-catering holiday accommodation run by Landmark Trust. This wild, remote beach appeared in the video for Mull of Kintyre, the song by Paul McCartney and Wings. Look out for the Anthony Gormley sculpture standing on the rocks in front of the castle.

Road Safety on the Kintyre 66

Drive with caution on single-track roads: The Kintyre 66 features many narrow, rural roads. Always be prepared to pull over at passing places to allow oncoming vehicles to pass. Be patient and considerate when sharing the road with other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Watch your speed: Follow speed limits and drive safely, especially on winding country roads where visibility may be reduced. Wildlife, such as deer, is common in the area, so be alert, especially at dawn and dusk.
Be mindful of others: You will share parts of the Kintyre66 with cyclists using the National Cycle Network, walkers using the Kintyre Way, and local horse riders moving between off-road tracks. Please be mindful of your surroundings and other road users, especially during dawn and dusk.
Leave no trace: Respect Kintyre's natural beauty by disposing of waste responsibly. Use designated facilities for litter and motorhome waste, and leave the environment as you found it to help preserve it for others.
Be prepared for rural conditions: Mobile phone signal may be limited in some areas, so carry a physical map and ensure your vehicle is well equipped for emergencies. If you break down or experience disruptions, stay safe by pulling over to a safe spot.