Kintyre Way Stage 7: Southend to Machrihanish

The seventh and final section of the Kintyre Way is much tougher than what has gone before. The rewards are the fabulous coastal scenery, views in all directions, and a feeling of remote isolation with no settlements or roads visible for much of the day. Machrihanish has all facilities and regular bus to Campeltown.

Terrain

Farm tracks, moorland with some pathless sections, rough, boggy ground.

Public Transport

Both Southend and Machrihanish are served by buses from Campbeltown.

Start

Southend. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 29km / 18 miles
Time: 8 - 10 hours
Ascent: 622m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NR691084

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Walk Description

Stage 1

From Southend follow the B842 road south and turn left onto the Kintyre Way just past the last cottages. This leads across the golf course and then bears right to reach Dunaverty Rock, previously the end point of the Kintyre Way. You can access the rock with great care. Though nothing remains today, Dunaverty was once the site of an important castle visited by King Haakon of Norway, Robert the Bruce and James IV. In 1647 it was the site of a shameful massacre. The royalist forces holding the castle succumbed to seige from the covenanters' army, led by General David Leslie. When they surrendered, the covenanters opted to kill all three hundred of them on the instruction of their chaplain.

Stage 2

Continue on the Kintyre Way along the track down to the beach and across the fine sands until the steps by the toilets to reach the layby at the far end of Dunaverty Bay.

Stage 3

Follow the road to the left as it hugs the coastline, passing St Columba's chapel and beneath the Keil Caves, visible on the right at the foot of a high rockface. To access them go through an iron gate and turn left. There are several caves, with names such as the Great Cave, the Piper's Cave and the Hermit's Retreat; they were occupied for centuries; Roman pottery was found here, which is rare in Scotland. To the right from the gate are St Columba's Steps; one of these was carved in the nineteenth century and the other is thought to have been used in the coronation ceremonies of ancient Kings. Return to the road which soon heads inland. Ignore the turn to the left for the Mull of Kintyre, but do turn left at the next junction just after Druma Voulin.

Stage 4

Continue along Glen Breakerie for 4km and turn left onto Amod farm track. Follow the river downstream before turning right at a marker post to go through two stiles, across a stream and up the field to climb a third stile. Bear right following the marker posts steeply uphill on a path that can be very boggy. Climb a stile and keep to the left of the forestry at Amod Hill. The route goes through a kissing gate and undulates along the ridge with good views of the surrounding countryside.

Stage 5

Climb to the top of the hill and descend a steep swathe cut through the heather to reach a stile, cross and pass below the forestry and cross another stile at the end of the forestry. Descend to join a track and turn right along it for 2km. Before reaching Largiebaan turn left to follow a fainter track and cross a stile next to a gate. The track leads through a gap in the forestry, at a marker post head uphill to a stile, climb it and turn left through the trees continuing to a gate.

Stage 6

Aim for a kissing gate and turn right near the cliff top, keeping left of a fence and crossing a stile to start the climb up Binnean Fithich and a marker post. Cross a fence at a stile and skirt the flanks of Cnoc Moy (staying much closer to the cliffs and not going to the summit as shown on some OS maps). Keep a sharp eye out for the marker posts which can be hard to spot in an area with many sheep paths and deep bracken in summer, eventually following the remains of a stone wall. This area is part of Largiebaan Wildlife Reserve and you have a good chance of spotting birds of prey as well as the colony of wild goats.

Stage 7

Keep to the left side of the wall and after a sheepfold reach a stile and bench. Head towards the sea where there is another bench and a fabulous view over the beach at Innean, with the sailor's grave visible on the green turf. You can descend to the sea on this side, although the climb back up adds considerably to the day. The path now heads inland (ENE) along the Innean Glen. Bear left to cross rough ground at the head of the glen, cross a steam and then heather moorland keeping an eye out for the marker posts.

Stage 8

As the route descends and crosses a stream there is the possibility of a 30-40 minute detour to the left to an old settlement down on the coast. To take this detour to the cliffs above Craigaig follow the sign and the wooden posts that mark out the loop. Otherwise continue on the track. The distinctive hump on the left is the remains of an iron age fortified farmstead, which was probably home to the local chieftain between 2300 and 1200 years ago. Pass some ponds on the right and keep following the marker posts keeping right at a fork in the track. The farm here keeps Highland and Luing Cattle which you are likely to see and the track can be muddy near the feeding stations.

Stage 9

Go through a farm gate and to the right of a barn and bear right on the farm track to head away from Ballygroggan Farm. Pass the car park with information board on the left and soon a house on the left and, now on the road, turn sharp left to pass the houses at High Lossit. The road heads downhill and towards the coast becoming the B843 before it reaches the outskirts of Machrihanish. Look out for the seals which often bask on the rocks just offshore here. Machrihanish is the end of the Kintyre Way and has all facilities and a regular bus service to Campbeltown.

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