Machrihanish Dunes

Campbeltown & Kintyre

Scotland's Adventure Coast & Home to the Scenic Kintyre 66 Route

Exploring one of Scotland's most scenic regions couldn't be easier. The exciting Kintyre 66 (K66) route takes in all six regions of this beautiful west coast peninsula, inclduing Campbeltown; one of the largest towns in Argyll.

Kintyre is a beautiful peninsula packed with great things to see and do, from whisky distilleries to world-class golf courses and from endless sights of natural beauty to unique places to stay.

This is the perfect destination for those who love coastal setting, rich in character and history.

Campbeltown was once proclaimed ‘the whisky capital of the world’ with 34 distilleries, today only three active whisky distilleries remain.

Kintyre is also a great base from which to enjoy walking such as the long-distance Kintyre Way, visit ruined castles, catch some waves on Westport beach and feast on seafood.

It is also possible to explore some of Argyll’s islands. Why not take a trip to Gigha. Sitting three miles west of Kintyre, Gigha is an enchanting small island. It’s the most southerly of the Hebridean islands, famed for its white sandy bays, it also offers great walking and cycling spots.

Gaelic in Scotland

The indigenous language of Argyll contains great richness of expression. Here we have shared a phrase from local Gaelic poetry about Kintyre.

Collected in Southend by Nils M. Holmer

Ó gu bheil mi trom fo smalain (Oh heavy is the grief that lies upon me)

’S trom mo cheum an déidh na fearainn (Heavy is my step after (leaving) the land)

With thanks to partners CHARTS

Remote and stunningly beautiful, with a great deal to offer

With its pristine natural setting, unique coastal character and rich history, you ‘ll never run out of things to do in Campbeltown and Kintyre

Download our Destination & Experience Guides

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Top reasons to visit

Must see places while visiting Campbeltown and Kintyre

The Kintyre 66 & Kintyre Way

9 medieval castles

4 distilleries

4 fishing harbours

6 golf courses

Surfing and watersports

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Kintyre 66 Route Map

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Visit Campbeltown & Kintyre

Scotland's Adventure Coast

Unhurried, unspoiled and unforgettable. Explore Campbeltown and Kintyre to experience a place like no other. We have created the K66 route to help you navigate your way.

The Kintyre 66 is a 66 mile loop, with 6 spurs allowing you to venture even further to uncover this beautiful peninsula at a pace that suits you.

Once proclaimed the whisky capital of the world, Campbeltown is the main town on the peninsula. There are now three distilleries for the whisky enthusiast to savour, a museum, heritage centre, swimming pool and cinema, so there’s something for all the family.

The beautiful Kintyre peninsula is studded with small villages, pre-historic and Celtic archaeology, abundant wildlife and remarkable beaches.

Walk the Kintyre Way, drive or cycle the Kintyre 66 route, visit ruined castles, catch some waves at Westport beach or feast on fresh seafood.

Kintyre is also a great base from which to explore some of Argyll’s islands. Sitting three miles west of Kintyre, Gigha is an enchanting small island.

Want to know more about the Kintyre 66 loop?

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TARBERT

The fishing heritage is of utmost importance to the personality and character of the village

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ISLE OF GIGHA

Small in size with sandy beaches and clear turquoise seas and many archaeological and historic sites to be discovered.

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KNAPDALE

Knapdale is a place sculpted by the great forces of nature and it’s here that beavers have been reintroduced into Scotland.

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KILMARTIN GLEN

Considered to have one of the most important concentrations of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in Scotland.

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The 6 Main Areas of Kintyre

West Kintyre
Enjoy the Atlantic coast of Kintyre, with thundering waves and unmissable sunsets over the islands of Gigha, Cara, Jura and Islay, not to mention glimpses of Ireland to the south. Historic sites, beautiful beaches and places to eat, take your time and enjoy!

Campbeltown
Towards the southern end of Kintyre and overlooking the famous Campbeltown Loch, The Wee Toon offers a myriad of activities  including famous 10k races, live music and festivals, world famous  malt whiskies, an island that you can walk to, and Scotland’s oldest purpose built cinema!

Machrihanish & Southend
From Saint Columba’s footstep and clan massacres in the south to a Championship golf course and surfer’s paradise in the west, this  area includes the two small villages of Southend and Machrihanish —don’t miss a trip to the iconic Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse!

Gigha
Gigha, community owned, is a 20 minute ferry trip from  Kintyre. A truly breathtaking island with silver beaches and beautiful  bays, crystal clear seas, stunning views, amazing sunsets, lochs and gently sloping hillsides, as well as a huge variety of wildlife.

Tarbert & Skipness
Tarbert, the gateway to Kintyre, is a beautiful harbour village with a rich history of Scottish Kings and Vikings. To the south is the picturesque village of Skipness and the nearby ferry to Arran. These two settlements offer a wealth of history, culture and, of course, seafood!

East Kintyre
Follow the road along the rugged east coast of Kintyre and enjoy the small villages of Peninver, Carradale, Saddell and Grogport,  and all the area has to offer in between, with spectacular views to  Arran, Ailsa Craig and the Ayrshire coast beyond!

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Kintyre 66 Brochure

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Explore Campbeltown and Kintyre's Places of Interest

Discover some special places of interest while staying in Campbeltown and Kintyre. Click on our map icons to discover where to see on your travels. If you see multiple icons clustered in one area, simply zoom in on the map to decluster the icons.

Surf’s up! Why Kintyre is top for watersports

Kintyre offers some of Scotland’s best watersports activities. Discover awesome surfing, incredible kayaking, paddle boarding and more in stunning surroundings.

Six Kintyre castles and abbeys you can’t miss!

Travel through epic landscapes as you follow this Kintyre's castle trail, from Tarbert Castle in the north to Dunaverty Castle is in the south of Kintyre.

Campbeltown & Kintyre on YouTube

Immerse yourself in all things Campbeltown & Kintyre watching our dedicated YouTube playlist for food and drink, activities and so much more!

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Getting here

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Planning your journey

The main way to travel to and from Kintyre is by car or by bus
via the A82 and then the A83 - with a short ferry trip to Gigha from Tayinloan on the Kintyre peninsula.

Or if you are travelling from Southern Scotland, why not sail from Ayrshire to Campbeltown using the CalMac ferry link?

This connects with the Glasgow train service. Or cross by ferry via Arran or Cowal to Kintyre – allowing you to explore much more of the west coast.