Mull of Kintyre

greylag
greylag Club Member Posts: 590
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I thought of exploring the Mull of Kintyre this year, it's an area that I have never been to before.

Thinking of getting the ferry to Campbeltown from Ardrossan and working our way up to Oban, possible turn left to Mull or right to Yellowcrag.

Any tips on Mull of Kintyre campsites would be appreciated.

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  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,405
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    #2 Answer ✓

    @greylag we have taken our caravan to the Carradale AS site, and stayed in the Cabin lodges there a few times. (Colin the owner is a friend of my SIL). It’s a lovely site, right on the beach, on the West of the peninsula, but it faces due South. We didn’t use the Site facilities, but they have decent reviews, and it’s got all you would need, including laundry. Carradale is a nice village, Campbeltown is around 20 mins away, and from memory is a very nice place, small supermarket, independent shops. It’s a while since we have been, but you could get a RIB across the Northern Ireland for the day I think. The whole Mull is lovely, make sure you visit Macrahanish Beach. Plenty of fabulous scenery, wildlife, walks etc… You could do Ardrossan to Lochranza on Arran, and then across to close to Tarbert if you wanted to see Arran as well.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,763
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    #3 Answer ✓

    It s perfectly possible, although Calmac is far from reliable as a ferry service, which might be my biggest concern. Enjoy the trip.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,405
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    @greylag very beautiful, like other parts of Scotland, you need to be prepared for not having a shop/supermarket around every corner, and for fuelling up. Tarbert, the one on the Mull is nice. We did the Greenock to Dunoon, Portavardie to Tarbert ferries, mainly because the Arran link had finished as we visited in the Autumn. We have also driven down the coast from Oban to Carradale, and in the Autumn when we did it (towing) it is spectacularly beautiful. Lots to see on way down, but of course it’s not a fast drive, all small roads. Quite a while ago mind, things might have changed a bit. High on our list of places to return to though, this time with MH.

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  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 23,438
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    We used both of these sites some 15 years ago. They were both good and Tayvallich was set in peaceful beauty. Muasdale is on the main road to Campbeltown and it can get a bit busy at times. Bear in mind how long ago we stayed there and there’s no knowing how things might have changed since.

    https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/Scotland/Scotland/Argyll/Tarbert/muasdale-holiday-park/

    https://www.tayvallich.com/accommodation/caravan-camp-sites

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 590
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    TW

    Many thanks for your replies, given us some food for thought. It is the only part of Scotland that we have never visited, so it we will be wanting to rectify this.

    Kind regards.

    Norman

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 23,438
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    It’s worth a visit and I hope you enjoy it. We intended to do a day trip to Arran while we were there but the day we chose was one of thick mist and rain so there was little point in going.

  • crashbarrier63
    crashbarrier63 Club Member Posts: 7
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    Hi greylag,

    I used to live just outside Carradale in Kintyre and know the area well. I've never used the Carradale campsite but it's in an amazing position right on the beach with stunning views when the clouds and rain clear. There is a golf course next to it as well as an Iron Age fort at the end of the Point. Carradale is still a fishing community with a little harbour and a few boats.

    However, I would advise caution with regards to the roads on the East side of Kintyre. Whether you are heading North or South do not feel tempted to route via the northern section of the B842 between Carradale and Tarbert. It's a single track road and would be a nightmare towing a caravan. Also, the tight double bend at Grogport which is on a 14% incline(no idea what that is as a ratio) is not for the faint-hearted😂. Mind you, the bend at Allt Criche (16%) on the road (A842) between Carradale and Campbeltown is a bit of a challenge but the road is wider for the whole way. The locals know the roads like the back of their hands and will appear coming towards you at a fair speed. The A83 that runs between Campbeltown and Tarbert is a great road, even with a caravan, with more amazing views of the sea, hills and islands.

    Oh, and to add to the confusion do not get Tarbert(Kintyre) confused with Tarbet(Loch Lomond). It happens, a lot.

    I hope that none of the above puts you off as it's a beautiful part of Scotland that is largely ignored compared to the rest. Any other questions, just ask.

    Paul

  • Hja
    Hja Club Member Posts: 897
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    the only uk holiday where we left early! Mind, we were in a trailer tent, albeit August. Absolutely vile weather, rain, gales, fog. We went to the Lake District!

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 590
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    It would appear to be a bit of a challenge………..I shan't show this post to my wife, she is a gripper of the seat sides!

    Many thanks for your replies!

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 8,315
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    I'm with your wife. Gripping always made things better. Especially on the Fen roads. Undulating in all directions, where the peat shrinks, and deep dykes on the passenger side, or both. Locals knowing the dead straight roads and using the speed limit as the target, not the limit? I found the grab handle on the motorhome door a great comfort too!

  • crashbarrier63
    crashbarrier63 Club Member Posts: 7
    First Comment

    greylag,

    Don't give up and I feel guilty if I've put you off. The A83 on the west side is a lovely road whether you are towing, or not. It's just the B842 north of Carradale that is 'uncomfortable' if you are unused to it.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,405
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    You will be fine down the West road. We drove our small van down the East side, towed behind a LR Discovery, and whilst narrow, I don’t think we actually met an oncoming vehicle. The main thing I recall is stopping to shoo reluctant Highland cows out of the way and a couple of big deer leaping across. It’s well worth visiting, and can get some lovely weather.