Kintyre Way Stage 1: Tarbert to Skipness

Summary

The Kintyre Way begins at the picturesque harbour of Tarbert. The first stage climbs out of Tarbert, passing the castle, and then passes through forestry and open moorland with views over the sea. The descent to Skipness goes through old oak and birch woodland, with stunning views over to Arran. From Skipness there is an infrequent bus service back to Tarbert.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked paths and tracks, boggy in places.

Getting there

Start

Tarbert.

Public Transport

Skipness is served by occasional buses back to Tarbert.

Start Grid Ref

NR866687

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 15.3km / 9.5 miles
Time: 4 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 410m (Profile)

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Explorer 357 - Kintyre North

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

From the centre of Tarbert walk along Harbour Road on the south side of the quay. Turn right up a ramp and take the path up steps on the right - it is signed for the Kintyre Way and Tarbert Castle. At the top of the steps go through a kissing gate shelter and continue climbing to reach a picnic table and information boards for Tarbert Castle. There are great views back over the harbour.

Stage 2

To make a brief detour visit the castle, head up the wooden steps on your left and continue across the old grassy ramparts towards the crumbling keep. The castle dates back to the 13th century although it has been added to over the centuries. After exploring the castle descend the wooden steps on the right, then bear right along the boardwalk. Pass through a gate and then follow the path to the right through the community woodland - ignoring paths off left. After another gate the path leads back to the Kintyre Way, which is marked by a series of blue marker posts; this walk is waymarked in blue. Pass through a gate and continue along the path. When a fork is reached take the left hand branch.

Stage 3

The raised grassy path continues, keep left again at another junction, and at the next junction you can make a short detour for a viewpoint over the entrance to Tarbert harbour, otherwise continue on the main path. Continue climbing as the path ascends in wide zig-zags. There are excellent views over the Rubha Badan, the headland the other side of East Loch Tarbert. The well made path now heads inland, crossing a number of small streams on footbridges and climbing to eventually reach a large cairn erected to celebrate the millenium.

Stage 4

Just beyond the cairn the path reaches a wide forestry track. Turn left here and soon enter forestry with some views over Loch Fyne below. Ignore a small path which descends from the track to the left. Pass a picnic table with a great view and keep following the track. Eventually the track emerges from the trees and crosses an area of open moorland with heather. Hen Harriers and Black Grouse are both known to frequent this area.

Stage 5

Eventually the highest point of the walk is reached, and further on a picnic table. The route continues after the picnic table along a section of obviously new track for about 10 minutes (600m) to NR 876635 where the route turns to the left opposite a (new) standing stone. Continue on a grassy path with fine views opening out over Kilbrannan Sound and the mountains of Arran.

Photo: Owen Paisley

Stage 6

Soon after the 5 mile marker the path enters forestry again although gaps in the trees allow more open views. Keep following the path which crosses a couple of wooden footbridges and descends to a track where the bright green turning circle with picnic table almost resembles a golf tee in the middle of an area of brown heather. Turn right and follow the track downhill, passing through a gate. The mountains of Arran look prominent straight ahead. Follow the track past a large stone built sheep fank and then through another gate.

Stage 7

The woodland here is part of the Skipness Caledonian Forest Reserve and further down includes the beautiful Atlantic oakwood. Continue past the stone ruins to follow the Skipness River downhill. The track runs alongside the river through the trees for some distance, until the river channels through a narrow gorge and the track bears to the right passing through another gate. Follow the main track downhill with the houses of Skipness becoming visible ahead. Pass to the left of the large house at Coalfin and after the corner follow the dead straight track to the road at Skipness. The bus stop is opposite the Post Office just to the right; there is an occasional service back to Tarbert. The Kintyre Way continues along the road towards Claonaig, or you can walk to the left to explore the impressive Skipness Castle.

Next stage: Skipness to Clachan

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