Kintyre 66 Itinerary: Where To Stop Along the Way

Kintyre 66: A Self-Drive Itinerary

Start your journey in Tarbert, the gateway to Kintyre. It’s a working fishing village, with shops, hotels, and art galleries clustered around the natural harbour. Before you head off, take a short walk up to Tarbert Castle. It sits high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the harbour. The earliest stone structure on this site dates from at least the 13th century, and possibly even earlier.

Don’t skip Skipness

From Tarbert, head southwest along the A83. Five miles along this route, turn left onto the B8001. This single-track road winds through beautiful countryside to Claonaig and along the coast to the village of Skipness. It’s well worth taking the time to visit Skipness Castle, where you can climb a narrow staircase onto the ramparts for incredible views across Kilbrannan Sound to Arran. In the summer, feast on fresh seafood from the Skipness Seafood Cabin in the castle grounds and check out the Skipness Smokery. Pop by Skipness Village Shop to stock up on road trip snacks!

Discover Saddell Bay

Head back along the B8001 to Claonaig, then pick up the B842, which takes you down Kintyre’s beautiful east coast. Enjoy stunning seascape vistas and fabulous views of Arran as you drive (or pedal) along. Take a short detour to Carradale, with its magnificent sandy bay and golf course, then continue to the tiny hamlet of Saddell, home to Saddell Abbey. This ruined Cistercian monastery is a fascinating place to explore. The highlight is a collection of late medieval grave slabs, displayed in a shelter. From Saddell, you can walk to Saddell Bay, passing Saddell Castle. This wild, remote beach appeared in the video for Mull of Kintyre, the multi-million-selling song by Paul McCartney and Wings. Look out for the sculpture by Anthony Gormley standing on the rocks in front of the castle.

Campbeltown & the Mull of Kintyre

Continue along the B842. Before you reach Campbeltown, you’ll see Davaar Island. This tidal island is linked to the mainland by a natural shingle causeway. You can walk across the Dhorlin at low tide in around 40 minutes, but check the times of the tides, or you could get stranded!

Your next stop is Campbeltown, a bustling town home to no fewer than three whisky distilleries, plus lots of shops and cafés. If you have time, it’s well worth taking a distillery tour to discover Campbeltown’s fascinating whisky heritage.

Now head even further south. Continue along the B842 to Southend and Muneroy Tearooms. Take a walk along Dunaverty Bay, a magnificent sandy beach, and visit Columba’s Footprints, Keil Cave and St Columba’s Chapel.

If you have time, you can take the ‘long and winding road’ to the Mull of Kintyre. This wild, windswept spot, made famous by the 1977 Paul McCartney and Wings hit, sits at the extreme southwestern tip of the Kintyre peninsula.

Head to the Isle of Gigha

Now head back to Campbeltown, then head north on the A83 up the west coast of Kintyre. Stop off at Glenbarr Glenbarr Stores - The Cafe for delicious coffee and cakes. Westport Beach is a huge stretch of sand often pounded by Atlantic breakers. It’s popular with surfers, and you can get surf lessons here at Pete’s Surf School.

At Tayinloan, you can catch the ferry to the beautiful island of Gigha.  The main attractions on Gigha – aside from the peace, quiet and wildlife – are the white sandy beaches and the fabulous local food. And it doesn’t get much better than The Boathouse Café Bar at Ardminish Bay.

Follow the A83 back to Tarbert and your Kintyre journey is complete!