Kintyre Way Stage 3: Clachan to Tayinloan

Summary

The third section of the Kintyre Way - apart from a couple of short sections - keeps right by the coastline providing a total contrast to the rest of the route. There are great views across the water to Jura, Islay and Gigha and some fine beaches. This is a wonderful walk for birdwatchers, so don't forget your binoculars.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Flat coastline. The first section is on a fairly busy road, then a sometimes muddy path beside the shore. There are long sections along pebbly beaches and some sandy beach.

Getting there

Start

Clachan.

Public Transport

Both Clachan and Tayinloan are linked by buses between Tarbert and Campbeltown.

Start Grid Ref

NR766561

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 15km / 9.25 miles
Time: 4 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 75m (Profile)

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Explorer 357 - Kintyre North

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The stage begins in the attractive village of Clachan and heads along the main A83 road for 3 kilometres in the direction of Campbeltown. The road is often busy with speeding traffic; there is a pavement along the right hand side for a good distance but there are other sections where care is needed, keeping to the grass verges where possible. After around two kilometres turn right (waymarker) into the grounds of Ronachan House, then forking right to follow an old path beside the stream. Cross over the track near Ronachan House to follow a new path which soon joins a track which rejoins the A83 near South Lodge.

Stage 2

Turn right along the A83 once more for a breif distance until a Kintyre Way marker post indicates where to leave the road again at a parking area. The path immediately forks, keep left to follow a grassy path behind the bay, parallel to the road. Ronachan means Place of Seals so keep an eye on the water; if you are very lucky you might even spot an otter. The grassy path can be wet underfoot at times; after a fairly short distance it briefly rejoins the verge of the main road before heading back onto the pebbly shore which gives attractive but hard going underfoot.

Stage 3

The Isle of Gigha is visible ahead, and the more distant Islay and mountainous Jura are also visible - you might see the Calmac ferries heading in or out from these latter islands. Keep to the shore below a caravan, and further on, where a curving bay is backed by a road-retaining wall, head up to the verge once more to follow the road above the bay. Another marker post indicates where to leave it again and head through some scrubby woodland before the road is rejoined once again. The markers indicate which is the safer side of the road on which to walk, first on the left and then the right. After crossing a stream the route heads down to the shore once more. Look out for birds on this stretch, which include the frequently seen oystercatchers and cormorants as well as the rarer red-breasted merganser and various types of diver.

Stage 4

Around 250m after rejoining the road from the shore - and 5km from Clachan - go through a gap in the wall on the left side of the road onto a narrow path through the trees. After passing a picnic table, go through a gate and turn left up the track. After this crosses a burn, note the 3 Ballachroy Standing Stones in the field on the left. However, the route turns right, leaving the track and aiming for a marker and a kissing gate into the trees. Follow the path through the bracken and alonga field edge. Aim towards some cottages and reach a track. Here turn right, but then immediately left on a track to avoid the main road a little longer. Turn left again when it is rejoined. There is then a shore path. Soon the main road cuts inland and is left behind at last - the route continues down a short grassy track to reach a very long, curving stretch of shingle beach. The grassy banks on the left soon become steep so there is no alternative to walking on the stones.

Stage 5

The route crosses a small burn before reaching a larger one which may require a paddle after rains. Gigha looks very close across the water now as the walk continues across more small burns to reach Rhunahaorine Point. There is a trig point on the grass to the left of the beach here - at only 2 metres above the sea it is the lowest in existence! Rhunahaorine Point is an important wintering ground for geese, like nearby Islay, and the shore is littered with countless scallop and cockle shells. Once round the corner the easiest going at first is on the grass just behind the beach beside the fence. After passing an old lookout building it is best to take to the beach which by this point has become a magnificent stretch of fine sand.

Stage 6

Continue on the beach below the caravan park (no longer takes tents) and then across rougher pebbly going; just before reaching the Gigha Ferry jetty there is a wet section of shingle to cross before emerging on the tarmac jetty road. Turn left here, passing through the ferry car park (cafe and B&B near the ferry jetty) and continuing along the road to reach Tayinloan.

Next stage: Tayinloan to Carradale

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