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.
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 