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6-day Kintyre & Argyll coast

Tarbert’s harbour, Campbeltown and Machrihanish’s beach reward the drive down Kintyre. Give the peninsula proper time, then work north for your final Inveraray night.

Trip code :WT-CODE 6011

Curated by Wee Coo Campers · A self-drive route to make your own.

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  • Overview

  • Day-by-day itinerary

  • Photos

Best for
Kintyre beaches, Tarbert and Campbeltown
Driving
Long peninsula transfers
When to go
Spring–autumn; confirm seasonal touring dates
Ferries
Mainland roads; no vehicle ferry

Why this trip: Small A83 stages lead to Tarbert and two different Kintyre coast experiences.

The trade-off: The peninsula has a long return approach; the fifth day moves back north rather than adding more beach stops.

Your trip at a glance

DayStart → endDriving
Day 1Renfrew → Inveraray1.5–2 h driving65–75 miles
Day 2Inveraray → Lochgilphead1–1.5 h driving35–45 miles
Day 3Lochgilphead → Tarbert45–75 min driving20–35 miles
Day 4Tarbert → Machrihanish1.5–2 h driving45–60 miles
Day 5Machrihanish → Inveraray2.5–3 h driving90–110 miles
Day 6Inveraray → Renfrew1.5–2 h driving65–75 miles
Map & stops

Pink: overnight · Green: sights · Orange: food · Blue: useful stops

Stops

Choose a day to see its road journey. Tap a shared overnight pin for all its nights.

Daily directions
  1. Day 1 · Inveraray Directions ↗
  2. Day 2 · Lochgilphead Directions ↗
  3. Day 3 · Tarbert Directions ↗
  4. Day 4 · Campbeltown Directions ↗
  5. Day 5 · Machrihanish Directions ↗
  6. Day 6 · Return to Renfrew Directions ↗

Get to know the places on this route

Argyll & Oban guide →

Your day-by-day plan

Your day-by-day plan

Day 1

Inveraray

Day 1Inveraray65–75 miles · 1.5–2 h driving

Renfrew → Inveraray

Things to do

Walk the harbourfront and choose one heritage visit. This is a useful first west-coast night after the afternoon handover, rather than pushing straight to the far end of Kintyre.

Eat & drink

Brambles Café, Inveraray: a town-centre meal or coffee stop.

Practical details

Town-centre food and coffee during the Inveraray harbour and heritage stop. Have the meal here before the drive to your Loch Fyne pitch.

Sleep

Argyll Caravan Park: Inveraray.

Practical details

An Inveraray base for the Loch Fyne stage, before continuing south towards Kilmartin.

Facilities: Gravel vehicle pitches, two toilet/shower blocks, washing-up and laundry. The chemical disposal point accepts eco products; blue chemicals are prohibited.

Pitch booking: Published pitch arrival is from 13:00, departure by noon. Arrange arrivals after 17:00 with the operator.

Alternative: Lochgilphead Caravan Park. Farther down the A83, so adjust the following stage.

Directions ↗

Day 2

Lochgilphead

Day 2Lochgilphead35–45 miles · 1–1.5 h driving

Inveraray → Lochgilphead

Things to do

Use the Crinan Canal area for a waterside walk and Kilmartin for archaeology, choosing one as the main outing.

Eat & drink

Kilmartin Museum: check its food offer when visiting the glen.

Practical details

Start here for the story behind Kilmartin Glen’s stones and cairns. Pair the museum with the outdoor monuments and its café when service fits.

Sleep

Lochgilphead Caravan Park: Lochgilphead.

Practical details

The useful overnight for Kilmartin and the southern stage.

Facilities: Hardstanding serviced pitches with water, drain and electric point; heated shower and toilet cubicles.

Alternative: Argyll Caravan Park. A different base; revise the driving leg and confirm a touring pitch.

Directions ↗

Day 3

Tarbert

Day 3Tarbert20–35 miles · 45–75 min driving

Lochgilphead → Tarbert

Things to do

Explore Tarbert’s harbour on foot. If you want a food-led detour, plan Skipness separately rather than treating every turn-off as essential.

Eat & drink

The Gather or Corranbuie Café, Tarbert Holiday Park.

Sleep

Tarbert Holiday Park: Tarbert.

Practical details

A Kintyre staging base with Corranbuie Café on site. It suits the harbour day before the longer journey to Campbeltown.

Facilities: Hardstanding pitches with water, electric hook-up and grey-water disposal; showers, laundry and a camper kitchen.

Alternative: Lochgilphead Caravan Park. Farther north on the A83: change the starting point of the next day.

Directions ↗

Day 4

Campbeltown

Day 4Campbeltown45–60 miles · 1.5–2 h driving

Tarbert → Machrihanish

Things to do

Book a Springbank distillery tour in Campbeltown, or make Machrihanish beach the main outing. Springbank’s visitor notice says there is no production from early September to December, so the tour experience varies by season. Anyone driving onward stays alcohol-free.

Eat & drink

The Royal’s dining options, Campbeltown: confirm service and reservations.

Sleep

Machrihanish Holiday Park: Machrihanish.

Practical details

A western Kintyre base for the beach stage of the peninsula loop.

Facilities: Grass and hardstanding options, heated showers/toilets, laundry, shop and chemical disposal. Electric and fully serviced pitches are separate choices.

Alternative: Lochgilphead Caravan Park. A much farther north base, so this needs a revised Kintyre day rather than an evening pitch swap.

Directions ↗

Day 5

Machrihanish

Day 5Machrihanish90–110 miles · 2.5–3 h driving

Machrihanish → Inveraray

Machrihanish beach, Kintyre
© Tim Glover · CC BY-SA 2.0

Things to do

Use the beach as a proper stop before turning north up Kintyre. This is the place to slow down, so consider an extra night if you want both the southern peninsula and a relaxed return.

Eat & drink

The Ugadale’s dining options: near the beach; confirm public access and meal times.

Sleep

Argyll Caravan Park: Inveraray.

Practical details

An Inveraray base for the Loch Fyne stage, before continuing south towards Kilmartin.

Facilities: Gravel vehicle pitches, two toilet/shower blocks, washing-up and laundry. The chemical disposal point accepts eco products; blue chemicals are prohibited.

Pitch booking: Published pitch arrival is from 13:00, departure by noon. Arrange arrivals after 17:00 with the operator.

Alternative: Lochgilphead Caravan Park. Farther down the A83, so adjust the following stage.

Directions ↗

Day 6

Return to Renfrew

Day 6Return to Renfrew65–75 miles · 1.5–2 h driving

Inveraray → Renfrew

Things to do

Breakfast at your final pitch, then return to Renfrew. Aim to arrive around 11:00, allowing time for traffic, refuelling and the standard noon handback.

Eat & drink

Breakfast in the van before departure.

Sleep

No overnight: return day.

Directions ↗

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