5 reasons you need to visit Islay
Islay should be at the top of every traveller's bucket list.
Scotland Shorts - Scotland's beautiful beaches
In Scotland, miles of crashing coastlines frame the land and pristine, shell-strewn beaches are one of our favourite places to explore. It’s time to reach for the bucket and spade, and come and taste the salty air. Which beautiful beach will you choose?
In south west Scotland, head to Sandyhills Bay for a day of paddling in the clear, shallow waters. While you’re in this beautiful part of Dumfries & Galloway, take a trip to the charming harbour town of Kippford or explore the woodland trails in Dalbeattie Forest.
The Isle of Harris is famed for its white sandy beaches and azure waters, and the award-winning Seilebost Beach is one of the very best, situated beside a tiny crofting village and overlooking Luskentyre.
Lying at the most westerly point in Mainland Britain, Sanna Bay on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula offers superb views across to the nearby isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna. Keep an eye out for dolphins and whales in the water.
Add together a freshwater loch, a sandy beach and a surrounding pine forest and you get… Loch Morlich! Near Aviemore, the loch is a truly unique place to unwind and there are plenty of watersports to try out.
Go land-yachting and admire the setting for the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire at West Sands Beach in St Andrews.
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Gigalum Island with Paul McCartney As Your Closest Neighbour Could be Yours (for Just £450,000)
Gigalum Island, off the west cost of Scotland, boasts just over 19 acres, a modern house and private sandy beaches. It's being sold as 'the perfect solution for island hunters on a more modest budget' at less than cost of a London flat. Nearby Kintyre Peninsula shot to fame when Sir Paul McCartney wrote the well-known song Mull of Kintyre. A private island just a few miles from Sir Paul McCartney's Scottish estate has had £100,000 slashed from its price. The 19-acre Gigalum Island - off the west coast of Scotland - boasts a modern house, private beaches and its own jetty with breathtaking views of the surrounding islands. It was put on the market last summer at the price of £550,000 - a bargain considering the privacy, stunning surroundings and Sir Paul's Mull of Kintyre home 15 miles away. But after six months with no takers the sellers have knocked a staggering £100,000 off the asking price. The new £450,000 price tag would get you a three bedroom ground floor flat in Edinburgh's upmarket Merchiston area. In London, the 'slimmest house' in the city - just 99 inches wide - was recently put on the market for £450,000. The island sits just a stone's throw away from the Isle of Gigha - the most southerly Hebridean Island, with a population of just 110. The only way to reach the mainland from the island is via a private boat to Gigha, before taking the ferry to the mainland in a trip that can take up to two hours. The only address on the island is Gigalum House - a striking modernist octagonal building with four separate 'wings' put up in 1980. But the main attraction of the property is undoubtedly its surrounding land. Along its sprawling coastline sit a number of white sand beaches, woods, rock outcrops and wildflower patches. Seals live on the rocks to the south of the islands, whilst dolphins and otters can often be seen playing in the surrounding waters. A scenic walk from the main beach at the lagoon takes you around the whole perimeter of the island - with views out to Jura, and even Northern Ireland. No-one from sellers Rettie were available to talk about why the property had failed to sell at its original price. But the firm's Nick Ainscough insisted the island and its house were an excellent buy. He said the eventual buyer would enjoy 'rustic and charming accommodation on a spectacularly sited island with wonderful surrounding seascape and far reaching scenic views.' Mr Ainscough added that there was the opportunity, subject to planning consent, to extend the house, develop renewable energy sources and even build additional dwellings.' The nearby Kintyre Peninsula found fame when Paul McCartney - who has owned High Park Farm since 1966 - wrote the song Mull of Kintyre. When Gigalum Island originally hit the market, it was described it as 'the perfect solution for island hunters on a more modest budget', well within reach of 'everyday island dreamers'. They went on: 'Gigalum Island is available to purchase now for offers over £550,000 - meaning that for less than the average cost of a one-bedroom flat in London, you could be the proud owner of fully-developed 19.3 acre private island.'
Experience Sailing in Scotland
When it comes to sailing holidays, Scotland has an unforgettable voyage for every sailor. Cast your mind to swirling blue seas, far-flung islands and nautical adventures aplenty.
From the rugged shores of Skye and the untamed charms of Jura on the west coast to the glorious wildlife of the Moray Firth on the east coast, sailing in Scotland is one of the best ways to discover our varied coastline and islands.
You may find yourself relaxing on a scenic cruise along the Crinan Canal, passing an iconic modern marvel at the Falkirk Wheel, or relishing the tranquil beauty of Loch Lomond.
And, there are some wonderful places to drop anchor. Oban is a gateway to several island adventures and it offers some delicious dining options, or stop off at Tarbert whilst sailing through Loch Fyne and enjoy this picturesque harbour town.
Several pristine beaches await too, including the seafaring haven of North Berwick and the blissfully chilled out coastal retreat of Crail in Fife.
With all these choices, a Scottish sailing trip should be next on your list!
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Muasdale Holiday Park
View from Award Winning Muasdale Holiday Park, on the Kintyre Peninsula, West Coast of Scotland
Sailing Round Britain 2010 Pt 6, W Loch Tarbert to Tobermory.mpg
Part 6 of 12 recounting a voyage round Britain in a Bavaria 43 sailing yacht between June and August 2010. Skipper Mike Ferro and first mate Carole Bradley sail from the remote anchorage at West Loch Tarbert on the Kintyre Peninsular up through the Sounds of Jura and Luing, the Firth of Lorne and the Sound of Mull, to the popular and picturesque port of Tobermory.
Charts and passage notes with our impressions of places visited can be seen at our associated website sailingroundbritain.me.uk
Kintyre Way 2011 - Part 7
This was our final day on the Kintyre Way and our intention was to end the walk on the tidal island of Davaar (at low tide the Dhorlin appears thereby connecting it to the peninsula). Unfortunately, the tide times clashed with our return flights home so we've left that and the remote continuation to Dunaverty for another time.
The village of Saddell lies in the arm of its wood where time and indeed most of the traffic seem to pass it by. Here, in 1158, the body of Somerled (the only Scot and King of the Isles to defeat the Vikings at sea) was, by repute, laid to rest. Mind you, he was half-Norse! It was bleak when we arrived there on our Day 5 on the Kintyre Way.
The route instructions are quoted thus: -
On Saddell Bay is Saddell Castle, a 16th century tower house now owned by The Landmark Trust, while just to the left and over the small bridge is a wonderful fine pebble beach, where the video of Paul McCartney's Mull of Kintyre was filmed. After a steep, short brae, the main route leaves the road for a long forest section heading west for 8km to Lussa Loch. This part of the route is all on good tracks and is easy walking, You continue south along the west shore of the very scenic Lussa Loch, noted for its bird life and rainbow trout. The loch was formed in the 1950s as part of a reservoir scheme. A spur leads from the north end of the loch over to Bellochantuy, where accommodation is available. From the south end of the loch, another spur leads east to Peninver. The main route continues south along an attractive minor road with numerous twists and turns as it wriggles through the undulating landscape. On Ballywilline Hill, east of the route, is a substantial hill fort. The A83 is followed for the final kilometre or so into Campbeltown, where the route runs down to the harbour.
Out of 5-days walking on the Kintyre Way the stretch into Campbeltown from Carradale could do with a lot more thought I'm afraid. Who want would want to walk along forestry roads then along a single track metal road used predominantly by farm vehicles the exact width of the road? Pretty poor to say the least. Really boring actually and its certainly not hillwalking. A real disappointment. That should simply be left as an alternative route for this particular day and a proper hillwalking route established. Now that shouldn't be too difficult eh?
Essentially this was our last day on the Way for this trip and if you had to pick one day to get a good soaking then this unspectacular walk would most certainly be it. One thing you do notice along the Way is the number of empty buildings when a walk like this is crying out for bothies and bunkhouses. Take note someone eh. The Kintyre Way claims to be Scotland's newest (it is) and most scenic long distance walk (which is isn't ). The West Highland Way is the most scenic walk in Scotland and the Rob Roy Way because of all its natural features (Falls of Dochart, the secretive Falls of Acharn and the famous Birks of Aberfeldy) is possibly the most dramatic. When you walk through the cave and view the Falls of Acharn - that is dramatic {see Rob Roy Way videos on this channel}.
That said, we had a fantastic trip in Kintyre but would never consider walking over to Skipness again and you couldn't honestly even pay me to walk the Kintyre route from Carradale to Campbeltown again as it presently exists. Theres been a lot of hard work done on upgrading the Way and it is noticeable. The waymaking is complete and the mileages on them is a clever touch. Information boards abound. From the effort thats been put in the Way deserves to be a success and of course theres loads more to see on the peninsula as well. It does have its scenic moments - particularly if you catch the sunset on Jura as we did from Clachan (the Part 2 vid).
Campbeltown retains its nickname of 'The Wee Toon' and the Memorial Garden at the Council building is a fine tribute to Linda McCartney. [The Memorial Garden soundtrack is 'Say Goodbye']. Campbeltown is the largest town in Kintyre, with a population of approx 6,000 and is accordingly well supplied with shops, accommodation and other facilities. At the pier head is the lovely old Campbeltown Cross, originally erected in Kilkivan in about 1380. It was moved to Campbeltown in 1609 when the town became a burgh and was used as a market cross. There is a very good local history museum, with outstanding examples of Neolithic pottery, and also a Heritage Centre in an old church. Campbeltown has long been famous as a centre for whisky making and at one time has no fewer than 34 distilleries. Only three remain -- Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengoyle. Springbank may be visited by prior arrangement for approx £6.00 pp. And then theres the local cheese . .].