Golf
The Kintyre Peninsula is home to one of Scotland's most dramatic
courses, Machrihanish. Visitors come from every part of the
world to test its rolling links and famous opening hole. Its
near neighbour, Dunaverty Golf Club is less demanding but offers
superb views over the Mull of Kintyre to Ireland. On the east
of the peninsula, with views to the Isle of Arran, is Carradale
Golf Club, a testing 9-hole with rocky outcrops. To the north
of the peninsula youâll find enjoyable courses at Tarbert and
Lochgilphead.
The unique appeal
of island golfing locations may be experienced in the Mid
Argyll, Kintyre and Islay area. A twenty minute crossing from
the Kintyre peninsula is the Isle of Gigha, which has a 9-hole
course built from farmland by members. For those wishing to
follow in the footsteps of many great golfers, including Nick
Faldo, then a trip to the island of Islay is essential to
sample the Machrie course - a very special golfing experience.
Click here for further information on all courses in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay.
Click here
for details of golfing opportunities throughout Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and Trossachs.
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to search our database of sports and leisure operators which includes golf specialists.
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for more general information on golfing opportunities
Fishing
The glorious Mid-Argyll, Kintyre & Islay coastline is
varied and extremely attractive to the sea angler with shingle
and sandy beaches and rocky outcrops offering easy access.
The coastline is indented with sheltered sealochs and bays,
where pier fishing is always popular, such as Inveraray on
Loch Fyne, as it is on the islands. Boats can be chartered
in many of the larger ports for offshore fishing. Inland,
Lochs Awe in the north and Lussa near Campbeltown are perhaps
the best known in the area for trout and salmon, and a range
of course fish. There are also many fine rivers, including
the Laggan on Islay and the Add near Lochgilphead, excellent
for sea trout and salmon.
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to search our database of sports and leisure operators, including
specialist fishing operators.
Click here for further information
on all fishing opportunities in Mid Argyll, Kintyre & Islay.
Click here
for details of fishing opportunities throughout Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and Trossachs.
Gentler than the landscapes to the north, Mid-Argyll and the
Kintyre Peninsula are superb for family ramblings. There are
plenty of forest trails with picnic areas and, of course, a
vast coastline with sweeping beaches and superb views across
to the off-lying islands. These including the ã39 Stepsä woodland
walk above Ardrishaig with views over Loch Fyne and strolls
along the towpaths of the Crinan Canal. The fertile Isle of
Gigha has a colourful garden to stroll round, while Islay is
famed for its open moorland and fabulous beaches. Neighbouring
Jura is more mountainous, with its mighty Paps. Finally, the
Atlantic island of Colonsay is a peaceful haven for shoreline
and garden strolls.
Click here
to search our database of sports and leisure operators which
includes walking specialists
Click here
to search our database of sightseeing and tour operators which
includes operators offering walking based tours
Click here to visit www.walkingwild.com
- a comprehensive listing of walks throughout the area.
Sailing
and watersports With a magnificent sealoch indented coastline, as well
as fine inland lochs and rivers, there is plenty of opportunity
to indulge in the best of watersports in Mid-Argyll, Kintyre
& Islay. The west coast is renowned as amongst the best
sailing waters in the world, with islands large and small
and excellent marina facilities at Ardfern and pontoons or
moorings at Tayvallich, Crinan, Tarbert and Campbeltown.
The famed Crinan Canal provides a welcome 'short cut' between
the Firth of Clyde and the west coast, saving yachtsmen the
haul round the Mull of Kintyre. The Corryvreckan Whirlpool
at the north end of Jura, magnificent as it is, should, however,
be avoided by all but the most experienced. Sea canoeing,
kayaking and wind surfing are also popular, as is water skiing.
Inland, boat trips are available on beautiful Loch Awe in
the north of the area.
Click on the following links for a range of specialist operators in sailing, watersports and cruising operators:
Wildlife
In Kintyre, wildlife abounds with many rocky shores playing
host to colonies of grey and common seals. Several species of
deer roam the hillsides, and even otters are common. Likewise,
majestic birds of prey breeding locally can be spotted by the
'eagle-eyed' visitor.
Each Autumn, the rich farmlands of Islay witness clouds of
geese arriving to winter on the mild pastures. Loch Gruinart
in the north is the islandâs main reserve with Barnacle and
White Fronted Geese flying in from Greenland. Across the Sound
of Islay, the island of Jura is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.
It is rich in red deer and birds of prey hunting over the
ãPaps of Juraä which dominate the island landscape.
Click on the following links for a range of specialist operators in wildlife related activities and tours:
Horseriding
From the beautiful scenery along the shores of Loch Fyne to the stunning beaches of the Kintyre Peninsula, the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay area offers some of the most spectacular riding and trekking opportunities to be found in Scotland. If the idea of riding along a dramatic beach against the background of picturesque scenery on one hand, and the Atlantic beside you on the other, then this is the place for you. The whisky island of Islay also boasts wonderful trekking opportunities ranging from sandy beaches to wild hillside tracks.
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to search our database of sports and leisure operators, including
specialist in horseriding holidays and activities.
Cycling
The Mid Argyll and Kintyre is an area in which relatively relaxed
cycling can be combined with some of Scotland's finest scenery.
The main circular route around Mid-Argyll takes in magnificent
views over Loch Awe to the North and Loch Fyne to the South.
It is also possible to cycle the length of the Kintyre peninsula
and there are a number of quieter roads which lead down on its
picturesque shores. The island of Islay and Jura also offer
gentle cycling on quiet roads.
Click here to search our database of sports and leisure operators, including specialists in cycling tours and holidays.
Click here for more general information on cycling in Scotland
