LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

GETTING THERE

Until recently travel to the Kintyre Peninsula has involved a lengthy drive round what feels like every bay and hill on the west coast of Scotland. It is a three-and-a-halfhour drive even from Glasgow via the A83. A much better idea is to drive 45 minutes south of Glasgow to Ardrossan and catch the new summer-only Caledonian MacBrayne sailing via Brodick to Campbeltown. We returned on the Claonaig-Lochranza ferry onto Arran, then off Arran via the Brodick to Ardrossan sailing (see calmac.co.uk for timetables and fares).

WHERE TO STAY

A little oasis of luxury in Campbeltown is the Royal Hotel, right on the ferry port as you arrive ( machrihanishdunes.com/ stay/the-royal-hotel). Delicious food and a bar with bustling atmosphere make it a great first night’s accommodation. We also stayed in the excellent Ifferdale Farm ( ifferdalefarm.co.uk) , a working farm with bunkhouse and selfcatering accommodation. Meals are available on request and I would describe them as unmissable.

WHAT TO DO

If you are a surfer you have hit gold at Machrihanish at the south end of the peninsula, with world class breakers coming in all the way from America. It is equally well known for the world class golf course behind the dunes, so there are plenty of sports on your doorstep. Otherwise the beaches are glorious, so why not just kick back with the family and a bucket and spade for the day? TOURIST INFORMATION The official website of the Kintyre Way ( kintyreway.com) is a mine of information for everything from route descriptions, distances, maps to news and accommodation links. They are massively helpful too, so just get in touch via the site if you have any questions. The route is shown on Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger sheets 62 (North Kintyre) and 68 (South Kintyre). For 1:25,000 use OS Explorer 356 and 357.