A long section of the Kintyre Way combining an exciting coastal with extensive forestry tracks, picturesque Loch Lussa and then a long descent on the minor road down a glen to Campbeltown. NOTE: The first section can be impassable at very high tides - use the A83 instead.
Summary
There is a very rough shore section between Waterfoot and Dippen Bay which could be impassable at very high tide and can be avoided by following the road. Otherwise the stage follows minor roads and well-made forestry tracks.
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1. Begin by following the road west out of Carradale, turning right onto the track at Port na Storm car park. The way is initially waymarked in red and begins along the vehicle track, ignoring the gate into a field on the right. When it reaches a signposted t-junction, turn left - marked for Deer Hill walk - and head through the gate. The track now curves round the lower slopes with glimpses through the trees of Carradale Bay. Look out for a path on the left which leads down to the Network Centre. Follow this to the cafe and then go straight across the tarmac road onto the track opposite. Follow it downhill, soon turning right onto the path marked Sally's Walk which leads to Waterfoot. Cross a small bridge and turn right at a junction. When you reach the road turn left down to the stone bridge at Waterfoot. Immediately after the bridge turn left past the farm. Keep straight ahead where a road leaves to the left and continue past the houses at the water's edge. Once past the final house follow the track through rhododendrons and past a gate to reach the shore. Cross the small bay and then follow the coast keeping close to the cliffs and looking out for the blue marker posts.
2. This section requires a bit of rock hopping which can be slippery so take care. It is also sometimes impassable in very high tides or during storms - in these situations do not risk the 20 minute section of coast but go round on the main road instead. After a section of salt marsh and then another rocky section under the steep cliffs, there is another grassy section with big jagged rocks. Pass between these rocks and then on the outward side of the last one to scramble over more rocks before picking up the path on the shore at Dippen Bay. Half way along the bay, after a wooden fence, turn right to head inland. Once on the grassy clifftop bear left following the marker posts.
3. Before the first house turn right to head across the field to a stile onto the road. Turn left to follow the road towards Saddell. Once past the grand stables for Torrisdale Castle turn right near to a bungalow onto a track between stone gateposts. The track slopes downhill; keep left at the fork to head over a humpback stone bridge with Torrisdale Castle visible above. Follow the track round to the left, and when it meets a bigger track turn left and follow it past the gatehouse, turning right once back at the main road. The road is now followed for 4.5 kilometres all the way to Saddell, including two very steep climbs. Before reaching Saddell an alternative branch of the Kintyre Way heads off to the right up the glen; however going this way would miss out the chance to visit Saddell Abbey.
4. Once Saddell is reached a sign indicates a turn to the right to see the Abbey and its carved stones - an essential detour. It isn't the ruins of the twelfth century Abbey that really impress, it is the magnificently carved medieval gravestones. These are now housed in a purpose-built shelter to protect them from the elements. There are three stones depicting warriors, all thought to have been carved on Iona, as well as monks and abbots, ships and hunting scenes. Saddell Abbey is thought to have housed a school of stonemasons during the heydey of the Lordship of the Isles, but after the fall of the Lordship in 1493 the Abbey was dissolved. To continue the walk, return to the main road and follow it as it climbs steeply for a third time.
5. There are great views to the left over Saddell Bay and its castle, now owned by the Landmark Trust (not open to the public). Kintyre Way marker posts indicate the turning to the right onto a wide forest track. Follow this when it swings sharply to the right, ignoring the smaller track which continues straight ahead. There are views down over Saddell Glen at first before the trees close in which can make this forest section drag a little. Keep right at the next fork (marker post) and then ignore a smaller track which goes off to the right. At the next major fork, keep left - the alternative route via the Saddell Glen rejoins from the right here. The track climbs through the trees and another fork is reached at a pass; this time, keep left. The track now begins to descent into the glen of the Bordadubh Water. Ignore a track coming in from the left and continue ahead, climbing briefly to a small quarry before descending once more, with Lussa Loch in view ahead. Keep straight on to reach a junction by the derelict cottage of Bord a Dubh, and again go straight ahead here. The woodland on the left was planted in memory of Hughie MacMillan who was brought up here when the area was a hillfarm; he worked for the Forestry Commission for most of his life and died on this spot.
6. Turn left to cross the bridge over the burn feeding the loch and keep left again at the fork - care is needed here as Kintyre Way markers also lead uphill to the right - part of a side branch of the Way that leads to Bellochantuy on the west side of the peninsula. Instead follow the track which keeps above the shores of Lussa Loch, the largest sheet of freshwater in Kintyre. The loch was created when a reservoir was built in the 1950s but it does now support a variety of birds; there is a picnic table on the left giving a chance to relax and enjoy them. Continue along the track, passing through a gate to reach the houses at Corrylach. From here the route becomes a tarmac road; ignore all branches to continue past the foot of the loch and the farm at Gobagrennan. At a large wooden shed 500 metres on another branch of the Kintyre Way heads off, this time to the left to reach the east coast at Peninver, but the main route continues south heading uphill on the road.
7. The minor road is followed for another seven kilometres, though there is little traffic and the countryside is very pleasant apart from a quarry. When the A83 is finally reached, turn left and follow it past the housing estates into the heart of Campbeltown, by far the largest town in Kintyre and a great place to replenish supplies. Campbeltown has a fine harbour and it is here that are found two of its most fascinating buildings, the beautiful public library and completely contrasting but adjacent Art Deco cinema, one of the oldest still in use.
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