Couples Weekend Break in Kintyre & Gigha
Recommended by local IainReady to slow down, reconnect and soak up the magic of Scotland’s west coast? This couple’s escape to Kintyre and the Isle of Gigha is packed with wild beauty, island charm and unforgettable moments. From golden beaches and scenic drives to cosy cafes and local flavours, it’s the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, made for two.
Food & Drink
- Old Clubhouse Pub, Machrihanish.
- Kintyre Smokehouse.
- Kintyre Larder.
- Glen Scotia Distillery.
- Beinn an Tuirc Distillery.
- Skipness Seafood Cabin.
- Argyll Hotel at Bellochantuy.
Walking Trails
- Kintyre Way.
- Deer Hill, Carradale.
- Tarbert Walks.
- Campbeltown to Kilchousland Path.
Evening Fun
- Live music and meals at the Old Clubhouse (the last Friday of every month).
- Music Festivals in Campbeltown, Gigha, Carradale and Tarbert
Isle of Gigha. - Achamore Gardens.
- Cycle round the Isle of Gigha.
- Hire kayaks, paddle boards, wetsuits and snorkels; perfect for exploring the crystal-clear waters that surround the island.
Wild & Wellness
- Torrisdale Wellness Retreats, Yoga Journeys and Woodland School.
- Serenity Spa at Machrihanish Dunes.
Wildlife
Local Shopping
- Fetcha Chocolates: sample the chocolates from the Oscars Celebrity Packs.
- Homemade Kintyre crafts and cards at Made in Kintyre.
- Local cards and souvenirs at Coorie Doon.
Events & Festivals
- 5 Music Festivals (Live at the Loch, Sound of Gigha,
Carradale, Kintyre Songwriters and Mull of Kintyre Music Festival. - 3 Food & Drink (Campbeltown Malts Festival, Tarbert Seafood Festival and Clachan Smallholders Festival).
Day 1 - Kintyre & Gigha
Arrive in Campbeltown on Friday and book into one
of the following hotels or B&Bs for an evening meal of
local produce;
- Royal Hotel - Campbeltown.
- Ugadale Hotel - Machrihanish.
- Ardshiel Hotel - Campbeltown.
- Craigard House Hotel - Campbeltown.
- Gowanlea Heights (Kintyre’s only 4-star B&B) - Campbeltown (eat at one of the hotels or the Old Club House at Machrihanish)
If you want a relaxed meal and try some of the local whisky, eat in the Black Sheep Pub. If you arrive on the last Friday of the month, there’s always live traditional music in either the Black Sheep or The Old Clubhouse (free shuttle bus to take you there and back).
Day 2 (Option A) - Gigha
- Start with an E Bike adventure on one of the Walking & Cycling Routes. Bikes can be hired from Gigha Boats and Activity Centre.
- Have lunch and an ice cream at Wee Isle Cafe.
- Have a relaxing afternoon at Achamore Gardens, climb up to the viewpoint and enjoy spectacular views of Islay and Jura on a clear day.
- If beaches are your thing, why not visit the famous Eilean Garbh beaches (or the Twin Beaches as they’ve come to be known).
- Don’t forget to head back The Nook Takeaway before catching the ferry if you are on a day trip.
- If you are staying at night, there are accommodation options from camping at Gigha Campsite to luxury accommodation at Hideaway Holiday Lettings.
- In the evening, as dusk approaches, you can visit the Dark Skies Theatre in the North of the Island.
Day 2 (Option B) - East Kintyre
- Start the morning by visiting some historic sites as you head up the B842 road towards Carradale. Park in the nearby car park and visit Kildonan Dun before stopping at Saddell to park at the Gatehouse and walk down the lane to Saddell Castle. Saddell beach is famous as the location for Paul McCartney’s Mull of Kintyre video. Take a photo in front of the cottage where Paul sat at the start of the video. Saddell is also the site of an Anthony Gormley sculpture, GRIP. If the tide is out, get a unique selfie in a fantastic backdrop.
- Before leaving Saddell, head up to the ruins of Saddell Abbey, formerly one of the most significant sites of early Christianity.
- For lunch, pop into Beinn an Tuirc Café and book into the Kintyre Gin School. Why not visit the new bio dome or go on the Lairds Walk around the estate.
- Spend the afternoon in Carradale, just 5 miles further up the road, and visit the Heritage Centre or go for a walk along the glorious sands of Carradale Beach and paddle in Carradale Bay. At the end of the bay, you can walk to Carradale Point and see the Vitrified Fort, which was constructed more than 2000 years ago. If golf is your thing, why not play a round at Carradale Golf Course, one of the nicest and most scenic 9-hole courses in Argyll.
- For a snack, ice cream or a coffee, head to Blackbird Tearoom
- As evening approaches, you can dine at The Glen Bar and Restaurant
- On returning to Campbeltown, if you want to stop into a traditional Scottish bar, look no further than the Burnside Bar Lounge with its relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Day 2 (Option C) - Kintyre
- If you like walking, you are in for a treat as Kintyre has a great walking trail which starts at the top of the peninsula and stretches all the way to the south. The Kintyre Way is 100 miles long, but it can be done in sections depending on how far you want to walk each day. You don’t have to worry about carrying your bags as Broonie Bags will do this for you.
- You can also book a guided tour with Heathery Heights. Heather offers bespoke guided walks and navigation courses throughout Kintyre, as well as a selection of self-guided walks suited to a range of levels.
- After a long day walking, treat yourself to a spa at Serenity Spa and a meal at The Kintyre Restaurant.
Day 3 - West Kintyre & Skipness
- Why not start the day with a refreshing dip in the Atlantic at Westport Beach? If you're feeling adventurous, hire a board or book a lesson from Pete’s Surf School, who operate out of Westport.
- For lunch, if you want to eat by the seaside, you can eat at the Argyll Hotel at Bellochantuy or the Glenbarr Stores Café, just a mile further up the road.
- In the afternoon, treat yourself by visiting Skipness and exploring Skipness Castle & Chapel, and then stopping in at Skipness Seafood Cabin before heading home.
Explore Kintyre and Gigha
What are you looking for?
Gigha Guidebooks
The Isle of Gigha is breathtaking, with its silver beaches and clear turquoise bays. It has stunning daytime views and magnificent night-time skies. These tw...
Heather Lea
Isle of Gigha
PA41 7AA
Tel: 07572989603
McKinlay Kidd Ltd
Award-winning specialist tour operator making holidays differently throughout Argyll and the Isles. At McKinlay Kidd, we like to get up close and personal wi...
Head Office: McKinlay Kidd
6/1 (front) The Hatrack
144 St Vincent St
Glasgow
G2 5LQ
Tel: 0141 260 9260
Campbeltown Picture House
Campbeltown Picture House, designed by Albert V Gardner of Glasgow in 1913 in Glasgow School Art Nouveau style, is a Category A Listed building and one of th...
26 Hall Street
Campbeltown
Argyll
PA28 6BU
Beach View Cottage
Beach View Cottage is a 'beachy, chic' cottage. This is a bright, open-plan cottage beside secluded beaches and also within walking distance from all local a...
Beach View Cottage
Ardminish
Isle of Gigha
PA41 7AD
Tel: 0044 7776 023246
Kintyre & Gigha in Pictures
Discover the beautiful peninsula of Kintyre and the turquoise waters of the small and stunning Isle of Gigha. Head off on an adventure on the K66 route.
Find your place to stay from luxury hotels for a relaxing retreat to holiday parks and self catering options for adventure seekers, and everything in-between.
You may also be interested in
See & Do | Luxury Break | Kintyre & Gigha | Itinerary
Itinerary ideas for what to do for a luxury break in Kintyre & Gigha
See & Do | Seasonal Break | Kintyre & Gigha | Itinerary
Itinerary ideas for what to do every season of the year in Kintyre & Gigha
See & Do | Couples Weekend | Dunoon & Cowal | Itinerary
Itinerary ideas for a couple getaway weekend in Dunoon & Cowal. Inspiration for where to go, what to see, where to eat, places to stay and more!
