Activities
If you are planning an action packed holiday then Carradale isn’t the place for you.
Ask the many faithful Carradale visitors, who come back year after year, what they do when they’re here, and you get a range of answers from ‘very little’ to ‘absolutely nothing’.
And that’s the beauty of the place.
Walking
Carradale is delightfully laid back and the perfect place to relax and unwind. Surrounded by pine forests , and with the beautiful mile long Carradale Bay easily accessible, there are endless walks, both gentle and more strenuous to fill your day. The daily decision of whether to walk down to the quay, or over to the shop (via one of the coffee shops) will take most of breakfast. And if you are more exhuberant or have a demanding dog, then cross the road and access miles of forest roads, parts of the Kintyre Way, or our local mini Munro, ‘Deer Hill’. Wander anywhere, nobody will bother you, and lots of helpful little sign posts will keep you right.
Beaches
Kintyre is blessed with many glorious beaches. We all love the safe south facing Carradale Bay. Being shallow the sea here warms up quickly so summer swimming doesn’t require a wet suit . Just down the coast the very different, pebbly, Saddell Bay has a special magic, enhanced by an Anthony Gormley statue who is regularly reported to the coastguard as being about to drown. Southend offers not one, but two super beaches and on the west side of the peninsula the amazing sands from Machrihanish to West Port are edged by huge Atlantic rollers – a magnet for surfers. Care when swimming!
Golf
As well as the immaculate little 9 hole course in Carradale with its spectacular views, Machrihanish has 2 superb courses, and Southend’s Dunaverty course is very popular. So if you are a golfer make sure you bring your clubs.
And…
And if the weather is not so good (yes, it does rain occasionally here) what better than to visit the whisky distilleries in Campbeltown, or treat yourselves to a seafood lunch at No 42. Then down to Southend for some mouthwatering meringues at the Munaroy café! And tea at our local ginery at Torrisdale.
Further afield there are neighbouring islands to visit – just roll up at the jetty at Claonaig or Tayinloan and hop aboard and you can spend a lovely day in Arran or Gigha. A day trip to Islay (more distilleries!) takes a little more organising (see Calmac’s helpful web site) but gives you a lovely sail as well.
So, laid back or not, you will have no trouble filling in your days and we are always happy to give you some suggestions.
