Kintyre

Kintyre is a region of western Scotland located at the south-western tip of the Argyll Peninsula. The region stretches approximately 30 miles from the Mull of Kintyre (immortalised in song by Paul McCartney) in the south to East Loch Tarbert in the north. The region immediately north of the peninsula is known as Knapdale.

Geographically, the Kintyre peninsula is long and narrow (at no point more than 11 miles from west coast to east coast). The central spine of the peninsula is mostly hilly moorland. The coastal areas and hinterland, however, are rich and fertile. As such, Kintyre has long been a prized area for settlers, from the early Scots who migrated from Ulster to western Scotland and the Vikings or Norsemen who conquered and settled the area just prior to the start of the second millennium.

The principal town of the area is Campbeltown (approx. 20 miles by road from the Mull), which has been a royal burgh since the mid-18th century.

The area's economy has long relied on fishing and farming, although Campbeltown has a reputation as a producer of some of the world's finest single malt whisky including the multi award winning "Springbank".

Article on Springbank whisky

Towns and Villages in Kintyre:

Bellochantuy, Campbeltown, Carradale, Clachan , Drumlemble , Glenbarr , Grogport , Kilchenzie , Machrihanish , Muasdale , Peninver, Saddell, Skipness , Southend, Stewarton , Tayinloan , Tarbert, and Whitehouse .

Transport:

Information on all forms of public transport is available fromTraveline Scotland

Bus & Coach services

• Long distance coach services to and from Glasgow are operated by Scottish Citylink
• Bus services throughout the Kintyre peninsula are operated by West Coast Motors

Flights

• Available between Glasgow Airport and Campbeltown Airport

Ferry services

• Operated by Caledonian MacBrayne on the following routes:
  • Campbeltown - Ballycastle (it is hoped that this service will resume in 2005)
  • Claonaig - Lochranza (in Summer)
  • Kennacraig - Islay
  • Tarbert - Lochranza (in Winter)
  • Tarbert - Portavadie
  • Tayinloan - Gigha