Muasdale Beach

From Tarbert you have decided to continue south on the A83 along the Atlantic coast of Kintyre. The road climbs quickly to one of the best vantage points in Scotland, with quite breathtaking views up and down West Loch Tarbert and out to the Islands of Islay and Jura. The road then bypasses the pretty village of Clachan (well worth a detour) and then drops down the sea at Ronachan, where there is a convenient parking place to observe the seals basking on the rocks off shore.

Continue south to Tayinloan and the ferry terminal for the island of Gigha, famous for its gardens. The ruined church at Killean, south of Tayinloan, also contains many carved stones. Just a few miles down the road is Muasdale Village with a holiday park beside the Atlantic. Close by is the small village of Glenbarr with Glenbarr Abbey, which is not an Abbey but an historic mansion house. This is the home of the Macalisters of Glenbarr and is open to the public. Just south of here is the hamlet of Bellochantuy, with a small hotel on the right, which has the dubious distinction of being the first building on mainland Britain to have been attacked from the air during World War Two when a stray German aircraft opened fire on it.

Just as the road swings inland to cross the peninsula to Campbeltown there is a large car park with easy access to three miles of sandy beaches and dunes stretching south to Machrihanish. This is one of the best surfing beaches in the UK.