South West Argyll
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-> South West ArgyllThis area covers the Kintyre peninsula and the islands of Gigha, Islay, Jura and Colonsay.
Kintyre
The A83 south of Lochgilphead leads to the fishing village of Tarbert on the isthmus at the northern tip of Kintyre famous for the 5-day Scottish Series yacht races in May, the Seafood Festival in July and the Music Festival in September. The ruins of the 14th century Tarbert Castle, built by Robert The Bruce, overlook the harbour. Travelling down the A83 on the exposed western shore of Kintyre, there are stunning views across to the islands of Gigha (with its Achamore Gardens), Islay and Jura.
There is a championship golf course and fine sandy beaches at Machrihanish in south-west Kintyre. The relatively large town of Campbeltown, on the eastern shore of southern Kintyre, has a magnificent setting on a bay surrounded by hills. Visitor attractions include malt whisky distilleries, the Lady Linda McCartney Memorial Gardens, Campbeltown Heritage Centre and Davaar Island, accessible only at low tide, where there is a 19th century cave painting of the crucifixion. The Mull of Kintyre Music and Arts Festival is held in August. At the tip of Kintyre are the sandy beaches at Southend, where St. Columba arrived on his way to Iona, and St. Ninian's Church on Sanda Island. Ireland, only 12 miles away, can be viewed from southern Kintyre on a clear day.
From Campbeltown, the B842 travels up the more sheltered east coast of Kintyre, with fabulous views over to Arran, and reaches the quaint fishing of Carradale where there is a heritage centre, a tannery which produces a range of sheepskin products and the 12th century Saddell Abbey. Twelve miles north are the extensive ruins of the 13th century Skipness Castle.
The Islands
Islay is accessed by ferry from Kennacraig on western Kintrye and is characterised by attractive villages of 18th century whitewashed cottages and beautiful sandy beaches scattered around the island. It is best known for its seven single malt whisky distilleries (which offer guided tours), the Islay Festival of Malt and Music in late May/early June and its birdlife, such as golden eagles and over-wintering barnacle and white-fronted geese, most commonly found at the Loch Gruinart RSPB nature reserve. Other attractions include the Wildlife Information Centre and Museum of Islay Life at Port Charlotte, and the site of prehistoric crannogs at Loch Finlaggan, also the site of the medieval capital of the Lords of the Isles during the 12th-16th centuries. There is also a wave-powered generating station at Portnahaven.
The main feature of Jura is the mountains called the Paps of Jura, popular with experienced climbers. There are many walks on the island and through the grounds and walled garden of Jura House and to the Corryvreckan Whirlpool between the northern end of the island and Scarba. George Orwell wrote much of his novel 1984 when he was staying at Barnhill in the north of the island.
Colonsay is a mixture of hills (popular with hill walkers as it has 22 McPhies - hills over 90 metres), lochs, cliffs and sandy beaches, particularly at Kiloran Bay and Balnahard Bay. The Woodland Garden at Colonsay House has a magnificent collection of rhododendrons and exotic trees and the ruins of the 14th century Augustinian Oronsay Priory lie on a small island off Colonsay.
Information
There is an airport near Machrihanish and flights to Islay from Glasgow. There is a ferry from Kennacraig on Kintyre to Islay and one from Islay to Jura and Colonsay. There are tourist offices at Tarbert's harbour, the Old Quay in Campbeltown and Bowmore on Islay.
The main hotels in the area include: the Victoria Hotel, Anchor Hotel and Columba Hotel in Tarbert and the nearby exclusive Stonefield Castle Hotel; the Gigha Hotel; Balinakill Country House Hotel near Clachan; the Argyll Hotel at Bellochantuy; Ardshiel Hotel in Campbeltown; the Carradale Hotel; Glenegedale House Hotel, Bridgend Hotel, Lochside Hotel, Loch Indaal Hotel and Port Charlotte Hotel on Islay; the Jura Hotel; and the Isle of Colonsay Hotel.
Restaurants in the area include: the Anchorage in Tarbert; North Beachmore near Tayinloan; the seafood cabin at Skipness Castle; the Harbour Inn, Croft Kitchen and Cottage Restaurant on Islay; and the Pantry on Colonsay.
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