Local Area & Activities

Southend

The name "Southend" was given to the area by Elizabeth Tollemache, Duchess of Argyll, in the late 17th or early 18th century. Previously the village was known as "Muneroy" and our popular local store and tearoom/restaurant still uses that name today (www.muneroy.co.uk). There are lots of historic settlements throughout the parish, showing that the area has been occupied and farmed for a very long time. One of the earliest records is from 563, when St Columba first set foot in Scotland here in Southend.
 
Many people come to Southend and other parts of Kintyre to research their ancestors' history. Our families have been farming here in Southend for several generations and will be happy to help with this, if we can. The Ronalds have been farming at Ormsary for several generations - originally as tenants of the Duke of Argyll.
 
Southend has many beautiful beaches to explore and enjoy.
 
Dunaverty Rock/Castle
 
The remains of Dunaverty Castle stand on a rocky head land at the end of Dunaverty Bay, Southend. The headland it was built on forms a natural stronghold with the sea on three sides and is only approachable from the north. It is attached to the mainland only by a narrow path and was accessed by a drawbridge. The castle dates back as far as the 13th century and it is believed that Robert the Bruce was sheltered there in the 14th century, at the invitation of Angus Og, Lord of Islay, before having to flee to Rathlin Island to escape the English. When the Lord of the Isles forfeited his title to James IV of Scotland in 1493, the castle was also forfeited, but it was quickly retaken by the MacDonalds and the King's castle governor was hung over the castle walls in sight of the King and his departing entourage.
 
In 1626 the Lordship of Kintyre was reconstituted in favour of the Earl of Argyll. During the civil war Dunaverty was beseiged in 1647 by Scottish supporters of Oliver Cromwell and the MacDonalds surrendered - and 300 of them massacred. This incident became known as the Battle of Dunaverty or Dunaverty Massacre.
 
Mull of Kintyre
 
Many guests are keen to visit the Mull of Kintyre, made famous by Paul McCartney and Wings in the 1970s. It is the southernmost point of the unspoilt Kintyre peninsula and offers spectacular views towards the Antrim coast (a mere 12 miles away). There is an abundance of wildlife here. In particular, ornithologists may well spot gold eagles or buzzards. Since 1788 a lighthouse sitting on the cliff-face at the Mull has warned shipping of the dangerous coastline. It was automated in 1996 but the Keepers' houses, dating from 1857 and 1883, remain.
 
Visitors to the Mull of Kintyre may also spot a stone cairn. In 1994 a Chinook helicopter carrying many of the UK's senior Northern Ireland Intelligence Officers crashed here, tragically killing all 29 people on board. They were travelling to a conference at Fort George, near Inverness. A fatal accident inquiry originally blamed pilot error but this was subsequently overturned and the cause of the crash remains unknown, though enquiries are ongoing.
 
St Columba's Footprints
 
The "St. Columba's Footsteps" etched in the rock at Keil, Southend, mark where Christianity was first brought to Scotland from Ireland. On 9 June 563 AD, St Columba sailed across the treacherous Irish Sea from what is now Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, and landed here in Southend. He subsequently went on to row 100 miles north to establish the famous Iona monastery.
 
One of the footprints is known to have been carved by a local stonemason in 1856 and the other (nearest Ireland) is ancient and may have been used in the inauguration of Kings who would promise to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors.

Campbeltown
 
The Royal Burgh of Campbeltown is the largest town in Kintyre. It was originally known as Kinlochkilkerran, until it was re-named by the Earl of Argyll (a Campbell) in the 17th century, and is affectionately referred to as "the Wee Toon" by many. The town sits at the head of Campbeltown Loch, made famous in Andy Stewart's song which proclaimed:
 

Oh! Campbeltown Loch, Ah wish ye were whisky!
Campbeltown Loch, Och Aye!
Campbeltown Loch, I wish ye were whisky!
Ah wid drink ye dry.
 
Campbeltown is famous for whisky and no less than 34 distilleries operated at one time. Many of these went into decline at the turn of the 20th century, and only a few survive.
 
Springbank Distillery
 
Springbank is one of the surviving distilleries in Campbeltown. It is the only entirely self-contained distillery in Scotland. Nothing but barley and water come into the distillery, and bottled Scotch whisky leaves it. A few distilleries still have their own maltings and a couple still have bottling plants on site, but only Springbank has both, providing 100% of its malted barley from its own maltings and, at the far end of the production and maturation process, bottling the end product in a bottling hall in which just six bottles can be filled in a batch before each has to be corked by hand.

It occupies a warren of buildings on the west side of Longrow that are uncompromisingly industrial in look and feel. The distillery was founded in 1828 on the site of Archibald Mitchell's illicit still.

It is the oldest independent family owned distillery in Scotland and is now owned by Hedley Wright, the great great grandson of Archibald Mitchell.

Tours of the distillery are available and visitors can also enjoy a relaxing dram after the tour in the luxurious Tasting Room in Campbeltown.

www.springbankdistillers.com 
 
Campbeltown Heritage Centre
 
The heriage centre gives visitors a fascinating insight into the life and times of Kintyre and the people who lived here. It occupies the former Lorne Street Church, which was built in 1868 to bring together the congregations of the former Gaelic Free Church and the English Free Church.

Campbeltown Heritage Centre has very interesting displays on the town's history and former industries, as well as the canal and railway which once ran westwards towards Machrihanish and the coalfields.
 
Aqualibrium
 
Aquilbirium is a modern purpose-built facility in Campbeltown which contains the public library, a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness facilities, a crèche, changing facilities for yachtsmen and the Mussel Ebb bistro.
 
Campbeltown Cross
 
Prominently situated in the centre of the town is the Campbeltown Cross, a tall, slender Celtic cross thought to date from the late 14th century. The stone from which the cross was made originates from the area of Loch Sween, many miles to the north, and the carving includes elaborate leaf scroll decoration although several figures were erased from the monument, probably at the time of the Reformation

Campbeltown Picture House
 
Situated on Hall Street, overlooking Campbeltown Loch, the B-listed art deco Picture House is one of the earliest purpose-built cinemas in Scotland. Films are shown daily at 8pm (except Fridays).
 
www.weepictures.co.uk 
 
Mull of Kintyre Music Festival
 
This annual music festival has grown each year since it’s inception in 1993. Set in the community of Campbeltown, the festival has become the region’s top cultural event being nominated in the Best Event category in the Hands Up For Trad Awards 2006. It is now an event which encourages people to visit Kintyre from all parts of the globe. It showcases the very best in traditional and contemporary music worldwide whilst also displaying the region’s cultural individuality through the talents of the local musicians of all ages. The event features concerts, ceilidhs, pub sessions, open-air events, children’s entertainment and cultural events along with an excellent campsite. Past contemporary headline acts have been Deacon Blue, Idlewild and the Stranglers with Capercaillie, Eddie Reader, Altan, The Davy Spillane Band, Ally Bain & Phil Cunningham, Wolfstone, The Michael MacGoldrick Band, Dougie MacLean and Four Men and a Dog headlining the traditional concerts
 
www.mokfest.com 
 
MOK Run
 
This local event has been recognised nationally as one of the best running events in the country. It was voted No 1 Half Marathon by "Runners World" magazine, which explained that ‘… this weekend-long festival of racing lies in the overall event experience as much as the race itself. Sure, the flat route along Campbeltown Loch and Westport Beach is a feast for the eyes, but how many races do you know that offer a post-race ceilidh and a song-writing festival?’
 
Runners looking for a special and different experience will love this - and spectators can also join in with the many events held over the same weekend.
 
www.mokrun.com 
 
Mull of Kintyre Seatours
 
Mull of Kintyre Sea tours are based in Campbeltown and offer fast boat trips around Kintyre and to Arran, the Firth of Clyde, Islay and Northern Ireland. In addition they run regular wildlife watching trips to Sanda Island, Ailsa Craig and the Mull of Kintyre
 
www.mull-of-kintyre.co.uk 
 
Kintyre Express
 
Ferry service offering services to Ballycastle, Northern Ireland and Troon, Ayrshire.
 
www.kintyreexpress.com
 
Walking/Kintyre Way
 
The Kintyre Way was established in 2006 and runs for 140km from Tarbert, North Kintyre, and finishes at Dunaverty here in Southend. The way is divided into 7 stages which take in spectacular views across Kintyre and towards the islands of Jura, Arran, Islay and Gigha - and Northern Ireland on a clear day! The Machrihanish-Southend stretch passes through Ormsary, just three miles from the end/start point. Walkers may leave luggage with us as they pass by and a pick-up/drop-off can be arranged, on request.
 
www.kintyreway.com
 
There are many other walks to enjoy here in Southend and around Kintyre.
 
www.walkhighlands.co.uk/argyll/kintyre.shtml 
 
Saddell Abbey
 

The ruins of Saddell Abbey are beautifully located in the tiny settlement of Saddell. There is free admission and free parking. The abbey was founded in 1160 by King Somerled and completed by his son Reginald. Monks were shipped in from Mellifont in Ireland to live the Cistercian life-stlye at the abbey. King Somerled, who founded the Lordship of the Isles, is buried at the Abbey.
 

Machrihanish Seabird and Wildlife Observatory
 
Set close to the open sea in Machrihanish is the Seabird and Wildlife Observatory, a small building built for the purposes of watching and photographing seabirds and wildlife in their natural environment, so they may remain undisturbed and you can get the benefits of being close and photographing rare or unusual bird species. The bird observatory is open from Easter until October.
 
www.machrihanishbirds.org.uk

  Linda McCartney Memorial Garden
 
At the rear of the Campbeltown Museum building is the memorial garden, in tribute to Linda McCartney, the late wife of Sir Paul McCartney.
 
www.lindasgarden.co.uk 

Davaar Island
 
At low tide, you can walk along a mile of pebble 'pathway' (known as the Dhorlinn) from Campbeltown to Davaar Island, where there is a locally famous painting of the Crucifixion painted by Archibald MacKinnon in 1887. The cave that contains the painting is on the south side of the island. Please consult the Campbeltown Tourist Information Centre before you attempt to cross to the island, as tides vary. The approximate time you have between low tide and returning tide is 6 hours but please ensure you consult the Campbeltown tourist Information Centre for the accurate times.
 
Golf

Dunaverty Golf Club

Dunaverty Golf Club is situated by the village of Southend. The course is a fine Par 66 18 hole natural links extending to 4,799 yards. High and low handicappers alike will enjoy its testing layout, the springy turf on the undulating fairways and arguably one of the finest set of greens in Scotland. Spectacular views over the landscape, Sanda Island to the south, Ailsa Craig and Ayrshire to the east and Northern Ireland to the south west, will add to the golfer’s enjoyment of this challenging and exceptionally well maintained course.

www.dunavertygolfclub.com

Machrihanish Golf Club

This fantastic 18 hole championship course is well-known throughout the world. It has been voted "the best opening hole in golf" and listed in the top 100 golf courses outside the USA by the Golfer's Digest. There is also a separate 9 hole course and 2 practice areas.

www.machgolf.com 
 
Machrihanish Dunes
 
Built on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), this spectacular new course is the first 18 hold links course to be built on the west coast of Scotland in 100 years.
 
www.machrihanishdunes.com 
 
Surfing
 
Westport beach, at the north end of Machrihanish Bay, is particularly good for surf. It is a stunning beach and renowned by surfers for breaks suitable for long, short and bodyboards alike. Surfing lessons are available locally, via the local surf shop.
 
http://breakssurfshop.com/index.html

Fishing

Kintyre has an abundance of Lochs, at present they aren't all accessible by the public. For some you will need permission from the Forestry commission, for others you will need the permission of the farmer whose land they are on.

The Lochs listed on this website are all fishable by the public with a permit.

Although you won't be fishing for a British record trout, a few of the Lochs can throw up a nice surprise now and again. A couple have been stocked with Brown & Rainbow and these are tenacious fighters. All the Lochs have a good supply of hard fighting wild Scottish brown trout with the exception of Crosshill loch which has an unplanned stock of pike.

Wildlife

Kintyre has an abundance of wildlife, including rare Golden Eagles and a variety of birds of prey, otters, deer, seals and much more.

Alot of the wildlife can be seen right throughout Kintyre, with seal colonies often basking in the summer sun between 50 and 100 yards of the coastline, perfect for photo opportunities.

Machrihanish has a Seabird and Wildlife Observatory, and close by Campbeltown's Owl Sanctuary offers a rewarding day out.

Much More !

This is the tip of the iceberg, there is so much more to see and do, historical architecture such as castles and cemeteries dating back to the 13th century, decorative burial stones, superb sandy beaches and clear waters perfect for swimming, standing stones, quaint villages, great areas for windsurfing and much much more.