Machrihanish and Southend

Visitor guide to Machrihanish and Southend in Argyll, here offer you information about the place. Also include details on accommodation and hotels in Machrihanish and Southend.

Six miles from Campbeltown, on the west coast of Kintyre, is Machrihanish, site of Campbeltown's airport and a magnificent beach – five miles of glorious unspoiled sand backed by dunes and washed by gigantic Atlantic breakers. Not surprisingly, this is a cracking place for windsurfing and surfing; one of the very best in the country, in fact. It also boasts a dramatic 18-hole championship golf course, whose first hole was described by Jack Nicklaus as the world's greatest opening hole. The beach can be approached either by walking north from the village, or south from the car park on the main A83 to Tayinloan and Tarbert, where it leaves the coast.

Phone code: +44 (0)1586

Region

Argyll

Local Sights & Activities for Machrihanish and Southend

It's only a short drive south from Campbeltown to the tip of the peninsula, the Mull of Kintyre, eulogised by one-time resident Paul McCartney in the 3rd biggest selling single in the UK to date. Campbeltown is a fantastic up and coming area with great food and amenities. The coast of Ireland is a mere 12 miles away and clearly visible on a good day. The road out to the lighthouse, built in 1788 and remodelled by Robert Stevenson, grandfather of Robert Louis, is pretty hairy, to put it mildly. It's possible to walk from here up to Machrihanish (about 10 miles), past the ruined township of Balmavicar and the Largiebaan Bird Reserve. The views are great and there's a chance of seeing golden eagles.

Southend

The southernmost village on Kintyre is Southend, a picturesque village with a wide sandy beach. At the east end of the beach, jutting out on a rocky promontory, are the scant remains of Dunaverty Castle, once aMacDonald stronghold, where 300 Royalists were brutally massacred in 1647 by the Covenanting army of the Earl of Argyll, despite having already surrendered. To the west of Southend, below the cliffs, is the ruined 13th-century Keil Chapel, which is said to mark the spot where St Columba first set foot on Scottish soil, before heading north to Iona. Close by is a pair of footprints carved into the rock, known as Columba's footprints.