Machrihanish To Dunaverty - 25km (15.5 miles)
Minor road, track, open moorland
The final section of the Kintyre Way is undoubtedly the toughest, but it is also the most spectacular and provides a memorable finale to the walk. It passes through wild and genuinely remote country where there is little shelter and no facilities of any kind. The mist can descend suddenly hiding the waymarks and the mobile phone signal is patchy at best. This section of the walk should not be attempted by inexperienced walkers without the ability to use a map and compass.
From Machrihanish the route follows the B843 south for 2km before joining the access track to the farm of Ballygroggan. Here the route turns south again, passing the remains of a Dun and crossing the Craigaig Water. Immense skies and a feeling of space characterise the walking as you head across the empty moor to the head of the beautiful Innean Glen. A short spur route leads down to the bay and is worth taking if you have the time. There were once small communities all along this rugged coast, a fact hard to believe nowadays.
Continue south across the western slopes of Cnoc Mor (big hill), with the cliffs to your right falling into the turbulent sea. Some 2km after leaving Innean Glen, the route turns inland to Largiebaan. This is a large nature reserve in the care of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, noted for its bird life, including raptors such as kestrels, peregrines and owls. In summer there are beautiful wild flowers, and the reserve also supports a colony of about 100 feral goats. About 1.5 Km after turning inland the route reaches a broad track. The main route heads south-east but if you are feeling tired an alternative easier route follows the track eastwards, through Largiebaan farm and on to the road 1km north of Amod Farm where it rejoins the main route.
The main route continues SE with forestry to the left, high above the Glendale Water. At (NR 615 128), it leaves the track to follow the edge of the forest then climbs steeply up Remuil Hill (302m) and Amod Hill (234m). It’s a short, hard climb on a rough path but worth it for the grand views out to Sanda Island and Ailsa Criag. After a wonderful ridge walk, the path descends quite steeply over rough hill ground to pick up a farm track at Amod Farm which leads to the public road.
The final stretch follows the road alongside the Breackerie Water all the way to Keil, and then on to Dunaverty. A cave at Keil was occupied for some centuries, and Roman pottery, a rare find in Scotland, was unearthed here. On the road east of Keil is the ruin of the ancient St Columba’s Church. On a nearby knoll are ‘Columba’s Footprints’, depressions said to have been made by the saint when he visited the area.
The route leaves the road for the crescent beach of Dunaverty Bay. A great chance to refresh tired feet after the miles gone by. The end of the beach is also the end of the Kintyre Way, finishing below the historic site of Dunaverty Fort. Finally, a short walk past the golf course will take you back into Southend village for a welcome meal before catching the bus or Taxi back to Campbeltown.
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Author: Route Manager Date: 20th May 2010 Version: 1.01
Long & Winding Way Company Ltd - Registered Charity SC037382
For further information please email us: info@kintyreway.com