Tour
Kintyre, Arran and Bute
The
isles of Arran and Bute and the peninsula of Kintyre have
long been playgrounds for the Scots, particularly the Glaswegians.
The topography of each island resembles that of a miniature
Scotland -- a mountainous north and rolling, pastoral south.
Outdoor pursuits include walking, fishing and sailing, while
indoor entertainment can be found in Brodick, Campbeltown
and Rothesay.
Arran
Favourite
island retreat of Glaswegians ( residents of Glasgow ),
once popular with Scottish monarchs. Fine mountain scenery
in north contrasts with lowlands of south. Robert Bruce
landed at Lochranza from Ireland in 1306.
Arran
Heritage Museum
Brodick
croft farm contains a museum of Arran history, geology and
archaeology. Authentic rooms exhibit spinning wheels, wooden
cradle and other domestic items. Geology section includes
amethysts found on local beaches. Picnic area/tearoom.
Auchagallon
Bronze
Age monument consists of rounded stone mound sur-rounded
by rough circle of 15 standing stones.
Blackwater
Hamlet
standing amid ancient remains. Robert Bruce may have sheltered
at King's Cave, to north, in 14th century. Pony trekking
and golf course nearby.
Brodick
Arran's
main port set by sandy Brodick Bay. Goat Fell, at 2866ft,
dominates mountain trail. Views of bay and surrounding peaks
from String Road, to west.
Brodick
Castle and Country Park
Seat
of Dukes of Hamilton, built 13th century with later additions.
Interior features fine plaster ceilings, furniture, porcelain
and paintings. Grounds include 1710 formal garden, Victorian
rose garden, nature trail.
Bute
Rolling
hills in north descend to quiet sandy beaches. Island separated
from mainland by narrow waterway called Kyles of Bute. Popular
with Clydesiders.
Campbelltown
Former
Celtic capital of Dalriada kingdom, now sailing centre.
Stone buildings mark past prosperity from whaling, fishing,
coal and distilling. Town centre has richly carved Celtic
cross.
Canada
Hill
Hill
rising above Loch Fad gives panoramic views of Firth of
Clyde, Argyll and seven counties from picnic spots.
Carradale
Village
with shops, situated on hill above small harbour. Remains
of Aird Castle and 1500 BC fort lie nearby. Good walks through
16,000 acre estate have splendid views of Arran and 2366ft
Bein Bharrain.
Carradale
House Gardens
Forested
hills surround 1870 home of novelist and children's writer,
Naomi Mitchison. It has a wild garden with pond.
Clan
Macalister Centre
Dunbar
Abbey, Gothic-style home of the Macalister chieftain, dates
from 1700. Museum includes historic weapons, photographs
and other artefacts.
Clauchland
Hills
Conifer
forests and bracken-covered hillsides are threaded by footpaths,
with views of Lamlash and Holy Island.
Corrie
Village
at foot of 2866ft Goat Fell. Now-silted harbour was built
in 1882 to ship locally quarried lime-stone. Walk coast
to Fallen Rocks or climb to High Corrie hamlet, birthplace
of the book publisher Daniel Macmillan.
Dunaverty
Rock
Site
of old Dunaverty Castle, former Macdonald stronghold. A
garrison of 300 were besieged here in 1647 by Covenanters,
supporters of English parliament. Every defender was slain
on surrender. Known as 'Blood Rock'.
Dun
Skeig
Vitrified
wall of oval Iron Age fort overlooks Loch Tarbert. Outside
fort is a roughly circular dun with thick wall and single
entrance.
Gigha
Island
Gaelic
for 'God's Island', area scattered with fort remains and
standing stones. Achamore House Gardens has 50 acres of
flowering trees and shrubs. Bicycle hire from post office.
Glen
Rosa
Glen
climbs from coast to 2618ft Cir Mhor with Glenrosa Water
flowing through it. Glacial terrain reveals huge granite
boulders.
Holy
Island
St
Molaise reputedly lived in a cave here and died in AD 639,
after accepting 30 diseases at once to avoid purgatory.
Visit this cave by boat and see runic inscriptions.
Kildonan
Quiet
hamlet with hotel facing sandy beaches broken by rocky outcrops.
Ruined medieval castle to east. Views of lighthouse on island
of Pladda, and Ailsa Craig on horizons. Local seal colony.
Kilmory
Cairns
Torrylin,
a Neolithic chambered cairn, lies south-west of Kilmory
village. Inside were found skeletal remains and a flint
knife.
Kintyre
Narrow
peninsula of great beauty, connected to mainland by Tarbert
isthmus. Long, isolated beaches offer windsurfing and sailing.
Grey seals and sea otters.
Lamlash
Boat
haven sheltered by Kingcross and Clauchlands points. Arran's
largest village with good fishing. Underwater enthusiasts
can visit Derwent shipwreck in bay, dating back to
1880.
Lochranza
Robert
Bruce is said to have lived here in 1306, when he began
his struggle for independence. Castle built in 13th century,
rebuilt in the 17th century. Village resort has safe bathing
facilities with shore or boat fishing.
Machrie
Moor
Remains
of six 15ft Bronze Age stone circles lie scattered within
a mile, south of Machrie. Nearby are traces of Stone Age
hut circles and tombs.
Machrihanish
Corn-coloured
sands run for 3 1/2 miles along coast. Better to walk this
beach than to swim -- its undertow is fierce. Golf course
and airfield to north.
Mull
of Kintyre
Southernmost
point of Kintyre Peninsula. Lighthouse built here in 1788.
One of the most treacherous points for shipping on the Scottish
coast.
Ronachan
Bay
Car
park overlooking bay provides views of Inner Hebrides across
Sound of Jura. Grey seals, largest of British wild mammals,
can be seen around offshore reefs.
Rothesay
Scottish
kings once holidayed at now-ruined Royal Stuart castle,
which overlooks this popular resort. See Bute history museum
and magnificent floral displays at Ardencraig Gardens. Swimming
from beaches; bicycles and rods available for hire.
Saddell
Abbey
Abbey
built 1160 by Samerled, liberator of Argyll and Kintyre
from Viking control. Amongst remains are tombstones carved
between 1300 and 1560 depicting armoured warriors, priests
and war galleys. Tower of Saddell Castle stands south-east
of village.
St
Blane's Chapel
Remains
of chapel built 1100 and named after Celtic saint who founded
monastery here in AD 575. Fine example of Norman arch still
stands.
St
Mary's Chapel
Remains
of late medieval chapel contain recessed canopied tombs
with carved effigies of Walter the Steward, his wife Alice
and a child. Nearby is the grave of Napoleon's niece Stephanie,
who died here in 1885.
Sannox
Deserted
in 1823 when villagers were evicted and emigrated to Canada,
leaving today's scattered ruins. Cart track leads to spec-tacular
Glen Sannox.
Skipness
Sandy
beach and tiny village dominated by remains of 13th-century
Campbell Castle and chapel. For-tress escaped major conflict,
but abandoned in 1700.
Southend
St
Columba stepped onto local beach in 6th century to convert
Picts to Christianity. He left behind what are said to be
his foot-prints in stone. Traces of Druid altar nearby.
St Columba's Well behind churchyard.
Tarbert
Fishing
port and resort town on isthmus connecting Kintyre to mainland.
Village with shops encircled by hills and overlooked by
14th-century stronghold of Robert Bruce.
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