Kintyre 66

The Kintyre 66 can be accessed via road, air or the water, which is a pretty special way to arrive.

The primary means of travel to and from Kintyre is by car or bus via the A82 and then the A83, with a short ferry trip to Gigha from Tayinloan on the Kintyre Peninsula. From the north of Scotland, come via Oban on the A816 to pick up the A83.

Or, if you are travelling from southern Scotland, why not sail from Ayrshire to Campbeltown using the CalMac ferry link? (always check the timetable ahead of travel). This connects with the Glasgow train service. Or cross by ferry via Arran or Cowal to Kintyre – allowing you to explore much more of the west coast. Don’t forget you can bring your bike on the ferry, and it can be linked as part of the National Cycle Route 78.

There are regular flights from Glasgow to Campbeltown with Loganair throughout the year.

*Please check all ferry routes are running as they can change per season.

No, you don't need to complete the route in one day; in fact, we encourage you not to, for the sake of your own enjoyment and experience. If done in one continuous loop, it’s only 66 miles, but the joy of Kintyre is that there are many trails, coastlines, walks, places to visit, and of course, stay. You can take as much time as you like to spend some memorable time here and explore all six regions of West Kintyre, Gigha, Machrihanish & Southend, Campbeltown, East Kintyre and Tarbert & Skipness.

Of course. Go in any direction you please and try at different times of the day. You’ll see spectacular sunrises from the east side of the peninsula, and mesmerising sunsets from the west side. There’s no one-way system, but some of the route is a single-track road, so enjoy taking it easy and make use of the passing places by giving a wave to passing traffic.

The road is accessible by car for the entire loop, but it can also be enjoyed as a cycle route and on e-bikes. Cycling is the ideal way to stop off at any point and explore the many side roads or head inland to join The Kintyre Way. Please note that this route is intended for experienced cyclists only and is not suitable for children.

Our detailed map includes all the places where you can refuel yourself, as well as your car, and, of course, charge your e-bikes if needed. There are places for little people to pick up tasty treats and adults to top up their energy levels with hearty meals, including distilleries to help quench any thirst.

Yes, there are.

Yes, we really do welcome hybrid and electric vehicles. You can find charging stations on our map.

Oh, we’d love you to stay over, for as long as you like, actually! There’s a great choice of self-catering accommodations, hotels, and B&Bs throughout the year, catering to all budgets. All will be detailed on our map or on our website here.

Well, that can range from -5˚to 30˚ on a record-breaking day! The climate changes throughout the year, but as Kintyre is on the Gulf Stream, it enjoys a milder temperature than the highlands, for example.

Whatever you feel comfortable in. Bring your trainers and hiking boots on for some exploring, or barefoot and beachwear for water sports. Bring your best shirts and dresses for a great night out, wining and dining. There are no rules, but it’s always wise to have layers, waterproofs and sunscreen.

Kintyre is never overly busy, as it’s a hidden gem on the west coast with many unspoiled places to discover. There are plenty of places, open spaces, coastlines and places of interest to spread out and maybe never see anyone else on some days. Tarbert and Campbeltown have more buzz as they are the main towns, with the busiest season being between April and October.

There is one main road (A83 on the west side and B842 on the east), but the Kintyre 66 is much more than that! With various spurs off the main road, you can explore the south of the peninsula out to Machrihanish and down to Southend and up to the north to Skipness. There are plenty of smaller roads branching off in various directions. Of course, the route includes a ferry trip across the water to the picturesque island of Gigha, which can be easily explored on foot or by bike.

Yes, these are well signposted for all road users. Just a gentle reminder that ‘passing places’ are only for letting passing traffic by, not for parking. Please use the dedicated parking places.

Yes, you can, but towing is not well-suited to single-track roads. There are dedicated motorhome spaces at Muasdale and at West Loch Shores. We ask that you be respectful of other road users and the local communities when choosing places to stop or park. If in doubt, ask a local where it is best to stop over.

There’s plenty and it's clearly signposted. If you decide to enjoy some al fresco dining on the beach or at any other spot, we kindly remind you to take away all your rubbish and dispose of it in a dedicated bin or recycling point. Our landscape and wildlife are precious, so we encourage you to leave no traces behind.

We have a great mix of wildlife for you to spot in its natural habitat, from free-roaming deer, otters, seals, birds, pheasants, sheep, and so much more. Sometimes they can wander onto the roads, so always take your time to care for them. And don’t forget to take care of farmland, too, where livestock are kept, including cows, sheep, and horses.

Yes, our lovely peninsula is easy to navigate, so feel free to turn off the Sat Nav if you please and relax on your trip. You won’t see ‘Kintyre 66’ branded signs, but you’ll easily spot all the places from our map by name and road name.