Long distance
Kintyre Way
Zigzags down the Kintyre peninsula from Tarbert to Machrihanish, crossing between the Clyde coast — Arran, Ailsa Craig, the Ayrshire coast — and the Atlantic side, with views to Gigha, Islay and Jura. 161 km (100 mi) with 3,140 m of climbing over 7–8 days, usually north to south. Fully waymarked, with mile markers along the way; about a quarter is on tarmac.
Quick facts
- Distance
- 161 km/ 100 mi
- Typical days
- 7
- Total ascent
- 3140 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Start → Finish
- Tarbert → Machrihanish
- Best direction
- North to South
- Water sources
- Refill in Tarbert, Skipness, Clachan, Tayinloan, Carradale, Campbeltown, Southend and Machrihanish. Southend to Machrihanish has no facilities — carry enough for the whole stage. Treat any water from burns.
- Mobile signal
- Signal in Tarbert, Campbeltown and the villages; expect gaps on the inland forest and hill sections between them.
✔ Waymarked throughout
Approximate profile derived from per-stage ascent — accurate on total climb and pattern, not a pixel-precise GPX trace.
Our take
The Kintyre Way is longer than most people expect. The northern stages are short; the real work comes later — Carradale to Campbeltown is the longest day, and Southend to Machrihanish is a strenuous 16 miles with steep gradients, boggy bits and no facilities. The coastal views both ways are the reward, and Campbeltown's distilleries are a fine excuse for a rest day.
Highlights
- Tarbert harbour and Skipness Castle
- Seals on the rocks between Clachan and Tayinloan; Gigha a short crossing from Tayinloan
- Carradale beach and harbour
- Campbeltown whisky distilleries and the Machrihanish finish
Day-by-day itinerary
A suggested 7-day schedule. Adjust to your fitness and conditions.
1Tarbert to Claonaig18km
From Tarbert harbour south by Skipness, with its 13th-century castle and the Seafood Cabin, to the Claonaig ferry slip.
- Terrain
- Forest tracks, hill paths, some road.
- Overnight
- No accommodation at Claonaig — continue to Clachan (22 miles from Tarbert), or arrange transport.
- Stats
- Tarbert → Claonaig · 18km
2Claonaig to Clachan16km
Across the peninsula from the Kilbrannan Sound side to Clachan on the west.
- Terrain
- Hill and forest tracks.
- Overnight
- Two B&Bs in Clachan. Citylink coaches stop here.
- Stats
- Claonaig → Clachan · 16km
3Clachan to Tayinloan15km
Down the west coast with views to Gigha, Islay and Jura; seals bask on the rocks between Clachan and Tayinloan.
- Terrain
- Coastal paths and tracks.
- Overnight
- One B&B in Tayinloan; the Gigha ferry leaves from here.
- Stats
- Clachan → Tayinloan · 15km
4Tayinloan to Carradale26km
Back across the peninsula to Carradale, with its beach and harbour on the east coast.
- Terrain
- Hill and forest tracks, some road.
- Overnight
- Carradale has a modest selection of accommodation.
- Stats
- Tayinloan → Carradale · 26km
5Carradale to Campbeltown36km
The longest stage, south to Campbeltown and its whisky distilleries. The bunkhouse at Ifferdale Farmhouse can break it.
- Terrain
- Forest tracks, hill paths, road into town.
- Overnight
- Campbeltown has a good selection of hotels and B&Bs and a bunkhouse.
- Stats
- Carradale → Campbeltown · 36km
6Campbeltown to Southend26km
South to Southend at the foot of the peninsula, largely on roads with very little traffic.
- Terrain
- Quiet roads and tracks.
- Overnight
- Southend has a modest selection of accommodation.
- Stats
- Campbeltown → Southend · 26km
7Southend to Machrihanish26km
A strenuous final section to the Atlantic coast at Machrihanish, with steep gradients, boggy bits and no facilities.
- Terrain
- Hill and moorland paths, some boggy ground.
- Overnight
- Machrihanish has a modest selection of accommodation, a bunkhouse and camping.
- Stats
- Southend → Machrihanish · 26km
Transport
To start (Tarbert)
Bus · Scottish Citylink (926)
Glasgow Buchanan St to Tarbert (Loch Fyne)
5 journeys each way, 7 days a week (Scotland's Great Trails, read 2026-10-27)
Scotland's Great Trails says the coach serves Tarbert, Clachan, Tayinloan and Campbeltown; booking is advisable.
Check times & book →
From finish (Machrihanish)
Bus · West Coast Motors + Citylink (926)
Machrihanish to Campbeltown (local bus), then Citylink 926 to Glasgow
Citylink: 5 journeys each way, 7 days a week (Scotland's Great Trails)
Campbeltown also has Loganair flights to Glasgow as a quicker alternative.
Check times & book →
Best months
Accommodation
Tarbert and Campbeltown have a good selection of hotels and B&Bs; Carradale, Southend and Machrihanish a modest one; two B&Bs in Clachan and one in Tayinloan. Bunkhouses at Tarbert, Campbeltown, Machrihanish and Ifferdale Farmhouse (between Carradale and Campbeltown). There is no accommodation at Claonaig, so plan a workaround for that stage end. Wild camping is legal under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Night-by-night guide: where to stay →Resupply
Full shops in Tarbert and Campbeltown. Between Tarbert and Clachan the only facility is the village store at Skipness, and Southend to Machrihanish has no facilities at all — carry the day's food and water for both.
Connect with
Chain into a longer expedition by combining with adjacent long-distance routes.
Kintyre Way + Loch Lomond & Cowal Way
Tarbert ferry connects Kintyre and Cowal peninsulas
Finish or start the Kintyre Way at Tarbert and take the ferry to Portavadie to join the Cowal Way.
Kintyre Way + Arran Coastal Way
CalMac sails to Lochranza on Arran from Claonaig in summer and from Tarbert in winter
Claonaig is the end of the first Kintyre Way stage, so the two routes can be linked by the ferry.
Current conditions
Weather at the start point (Tarbert)
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:19
- Sunset
- 16:52
- Civil dawn
- 06:40
- Civil dusk
- 17:31
NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026
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Getting to and from the Kintyre Way
Train and town anchors at each end of the route — on TripSCOT.