Kennacraig is barely a hamlet but it does have a turning off the main A83 road to a jetty. From here Caladonian McBrayne (CalMac) run ferries to Port Ellen and Part Askaig on the Isle of Islay and also to the Island of Colonsay.
The Isle of Islay has about 130 miles of coastline and at one time about 8 malt whisky distilleries. Probably the most famous are Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Bowmore. Besides whisky the isle has some beautiful beaches and a RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinirt.
I am now on the west coast of Kintyre at Tayinloan. I start at the village hall and walk down to the jetty where the ferry goes to the Isle of Gigha. The Isle is only seven miles long and a mile and a half wide. It was bought and is run very successfully by the community.
The path onto the beach is not obvious, you have to go a few yards down the jetty and through a gate onto the sand dunes.
Today the Kintyre Way goes cross country from the east coast to the west coast. I drop my bike off at one end in the bushes so that I can use it at the end to get back to my car.
The path leaves Carradale by the café I visited yesterday and climb into the woods. It eventually opens out with views opening out across the water to the Isle of Arran and Goat Fell, it’s highest peak.
Today I walk from Machrihanish towards Campbeltown and pick up the Kintyre way which takes a more central route up the peninsular before dropping down to Carradale.
Walking along the road from Machrihanish I pass the turning for the airport. The community bought the airbase from the MOD for the princely sum of £1. The airport has been shortlisted as a potential UK Spaceport Centre. I continue along this flat straight road to the outskirts of Campbeltown.
I am surprised that the Kintyre Way does not go to the lighthouse on the south-west corner of the peninsular. I decided that as I had walked all this way I was not going to miss it.
My route involved a seven mile slog down a single track road, I had plenty of cyclists who passed with a cheery hello and a shake of the hand. I even saw a Roe Deer on the road ahead of me but it didn’t hang around for the photo call.
For the last three year during the summer there has been a ferry service from Ardrossan to Campbeltown. This service is being run on a trial basis and is due to be reviewed this year. This is a lovely crossing that skirts the southern end of the Isle of Arran. If you are lucky it might also be doing a cruise and then it will take a longer route around the north of the Isle of Arran and then down the East coast of the Kintyre peninsular.
Campbeltown is the main town on the Kintyre peninsular which has an airport as well as a ferry terminal. It does not seem to be spoilt by tourism but there again needs to promote the good things about the town like the Distillery, Heritage Centre and Kintyre Way.
Irvine has quite a substantial shopping centre called the Riverside with a mall that spans the river into the main centre.
I leave Irvine to the west of the railway line by the football ground where my map shows a footpath but I could not find a route to the other side of the railway line. I met a lady on a bicycle with panniers who was trying to do the same thing. We both retraced our steps back and followed the road out of town.
Ayr is a fine seaside town with a good town centre and a two mile stretch of sandy beach. It also has a racecourse where the Scottish Grand National is run every year.
Scotland’s greatest poet, Robbie Burns was born close to Ayr at Alloway where he lived for the first seven years of his life. There is an interesting museum maintained by the Scottish National Trust.
Unfortunately I lost my favourite hat whilst walking through the park. It had ear pieces that kept me warm, it was like a comfort blanket. I even went back looking for it.
Today I set off back through the Country Park by the Visitor Centre in a courtyard by the Old Stables. I pass this and continue above the shoreline before making my way down to the beach.
I return to start my walk today bt the harbour at Girvan. The harbour itself seems quite busy with a boatyard catering for yachtsmen. I head alongside the river and I can not miss the clock tower, Auld Stumpy. It was part of the McMaster Hall which burnt down.
I cross over the bridge and walk along the other side of the harbour passing the Coastguard building. I pass the golf Course and follow the coast northwards, sometimes on a track and sometimes on the pebbly beach.
Breaking free and paving my own way.
Mad dogs and Englishmen decide to walk the coast of Britain! I don't think I'm a mad dog but many think I'm a mad Englishman!
1 Year - 5000 miles
My challenge to change my life this year...
Coastalwalker.co.uk - walking around the British coastline, very SLOWLY.
Tony's walk around the Coast of Britain 