Kintyre Guide
Introduction to Kintyre
Tarbert | Isle of Gigha | Campbeltown | Sanda Island | Machrihanish and Southend | The East Coast
The long peninsula of Kintyre is probably best known as the inspiration for Paul McCartney's phenomenally successful 1970s dirge, 'Mull of Kintyre', but don't let that put you off. Kintyre has all the usual Highland ingredients, such as great scenery, wildlife and beaches which attracts the experienced surfer and the wild surfer alike. Hardy walkers also have the opportunity to explore a newly opened 89-mile Kintyre Way coastal route stretching from Tarbert harbour to Dunaverty in the south.
The peninsula would be an island, were it not for the mile-long isthmus between West and East Loch Tarbert, a fact not lost on King Magnus Barefoot of Norway. In the 11th century he signed a treaty with the Scottish king, Malcolm Canmore, giving him all the land he could sail round, and promptly had his men drag his longboat across the narrow isthmus, thus adding Kintyre to his kingdom. Getting around Kintyre without your own transport requires time and patience. There's a bus service running up and down the west coast, and also a limited service from Campbeltown to places around the peninsula.