Carradale To Campbeltown - 32km (20 Miles)
Footpath, forest road and minor road
From the Network Centre the route follows a delightful path to reach the shore at Waterfoot. Here the route can be blocked by a high tide so it’s important to check tide times before setting out. MobileTide times available for a small fee. Just before Dippen Bay the route rejoins the road with a 4km road section south to Saddell. The main attraction at Saddell is the haunting ruin of the 12th century Cistercian Saddell Abbey and its carved medieval grave stones.
On Saddell Bay is Saddell Castle, a 16th century tower house now owned by The Landmark Trust, while just to the left and over the small bridge is a wonderful fine pebble beach, where the video of Paul McCartney’s Mull of Kintyre was filmed.
After a steep, short brae, the main route leaves the road for a long forest section heading west for 8km to Lussa Loch. This part of the route is all on good tracks and is easy walking, You continue south along the west shore of the very scenic Lussa Loch, noted for its bird life and rainbow trout. The loch was formed in the 1950s as part of a reservoir scheme.
A spur leads from the north end of the loch over to Bellochantuy, where accommodation is available. From the south end of the loch, another spur leads east to Peninver.
The main route continues south along an attractive minor road with numerous twists and turns as it wriggles through the undulating landscape. On Ballywilline Hill, east of the route, is a substantial hill fort. The A83 is followed for the final kilometre or so into Campbeltown, where the route runs down to the harbour.
Campbeltown is the largest town in Kintyre, with a population of around 6,000 and is accordingly well supplied with shops, accommodation and other facilities. At the pier head is the lovely old Campbeltown Cross, originally erected in Kilkivan in about 1380. It was moved to Campbeltown in 1609 when the town became a burgh and was used as a market cross. There is a very good local history museum, with outstanding examples of Neolithic pottery, and also a Heritage Centre in an old church.
Campbeltown has long been famous as a centre for whisky making and at one time had no fewer than 34 distilleries. Only three remain – Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengoyle. Springbank may be visited by prior arrangement. At the mouth of Campbeltown Loch is Davaar Island, which is linked to the shore at low tide by a stony causeway (The Doirlinh). In a cave on the island is a painting (1887) of the Crucifixion. by Archibald MacKinnon.
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Author: Route Manager Date: 26th June 2010 Version: 1.01
Long & Winding Way Company Ltd - Registered Charity SC037382
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