Isle of Arran

Travelling the Kintyre Coastline

A day by car, from Tarbert Castle to Glen Scotia Distillery.

Written by Graeme Johncock

If you enjoy getting off the beaten track in Scotland, the Kintyre Peninsula is definitely for you. This part of Argyll deserves a lot more attention, but because it takes a little more time to get to, it took me until last year before even I visited! I was blown away by how much Kintyre had to offer in just a single day’s journey.

How: A day by car
Distance: About 45 miles
Starts: Tarbert Castle
Ends: Glen Scotia Distillery
Good for: Castles, Walks, History, Whisky

The day

Tarbert Castle
An attraction
Begin at the very top of the peninsula in Tarbert, a harbour town protected by a prominent, but sadly ruined, royal castle. Only a small remnant remains of what was once an enormous fortress, guarding not just passage up Loch Fyne, but also across land. The name Tarbert literally means “Drag Boat” and it’s where sailors could drag their vessels across a narrow strip of land to save travelling all the way round Kintyre! The castle has a long history, but most people climb up here just for the view. Be aware that there are usually sheep roaming, so keep dogs on leads.
More about Tarbert Castle
The rest of this day is for members.
8 more stops, what to do at each, and the drive between them. Members read every one of our days, and the magazine.
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Skipness Castle
An attraction
Skipness Chapel
An attraction
Carradale
A walk
Beinn an Tuirc Distillers
An attraction
Saddell Abbey
An attraction
Saddell Bay and Castle
An attraction
Campbeltown
An attraction
Glen Scotia Distillery
An attraction