Kintyre Attractions

Achamore House Gardens and their collection of sub-tropical plants are the principal attraction on Gigha Island.
The 50-acre attraction includes a woodland garden as well as a wide variety of azaleas and camellias.

The A83 follows the west coast past the home of Laird and Lady Glenbarr (Mr and Mrs MacAlister) who personally show visitors round the fine 18th/19th century mansion and recount the full history of the MacAlister clan. Kilts, plaids, old toys, Sèvres porcelain, the laird's valuable collection of thimbles, family memorabilia and gloves belonging to Mary Stuart are among the exhibits.

The southern tip of the peninsula immortalized in Paul McCartney's song is marked by a lighthouse. It lies 7mi/11km west of Southend and on a clear day it is possible to see the coast of Antrim in Northern Ireland. The Gaelic word "mull" means "foothills".

The B842 follows the largely unspoiled east coast south to the fishing village of Carradale (13mi/48km). There are some fine walks in the area and Carradale Garden is noted for its rhododendrons and azaleas.

A footprint said to have been made by St Columba when she first set foot on Scottish soil can be seen in Carskey Bay near Southend (10mi/16km south of Campbeltown).

Ferries leave Tayinloan for Ardminish on the small green island of Gigha.

Saddell Abbey was founded ca. 1160 by Somerled Lord of the Isles. Parts of the walls remain and a number of finely decorated gravestones are worth a closer look.

Skipness Castle stands just north of Claonaig Bay where the ferries from Arran arrive. This 13th century border fortress built for the Campbell clan offers a fine view over the Kilbrannan Sound.

The watersport center of Tarbert situated beyond Kennacraig and between West Loch Tarbert and Loch Fyne is the departure point for ferries to Islay. It was once an important herring port.