Walkers benefit from scenic route

The 92 mile route begins in Tarbert and goes to Southend

A new walking route has been opened on the Kintyre peninsula, spanning almost 100 miles.

The Kintyre Way was officially opened on Saturday by MSP George Lyon. A folk band and medieval market helped to mark the occasion.

The route runs from Tarbert to Southend, with about one third passing through Forestry Commission land.

It includes the existing Tarbert to Skipness walk and a new path through Deer Hill forest near Carradale.

The 92-mile (149km) walk goes through a number of small communities and features outstanding scenery and wildlife including red squirrels, roe deer, golden eagles and badgers.

Its creation is another important step in making access available to the public to 'little know treasures' of Kintyre Ken Abernethry AIE

As well as being able to stop off for island trips, walkers can also test fish and shellfish on the Seafood Trail.

The new route will be managed by the Kintyre Marketing Group, an organisation of local business people who have helped with its development over several years.

Funding has come from Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, VisitScotland and Argyll and Bute Council.

Individual sections vary from 5.6 miles to 16.25 miles (9km to 26km) and many can be tackled as half-day or day walks using local bus services to return to the starting point.

Ken Abernethry, chief executive of AIE said: "We are enthusiastic about what will become one of the great walks in Britain.

'Fantastic route'

"Its creation is another important step in making access available to the public to 'little know treasures' of Kintyre."

Colin Hossack, of the Forestry Commission Scotland said: "The Kintyre Way is a fantastic route.

"We have a variety of trails throughout the country and this has been a great opportunity to link some of these and work with neighbouring landowners on a bigger scale.

"The result is a great example of outdoor access in Scotland and a truly rewarding way to see Kintyre."

Mr Lyon said: "The opening of the Kintyre Way is an exciting new development that will attract many more visitors to this beautiful part of Scotland.

"I believe it will provide a significant boost for tourism businesses in Kintyre throughout the year and it has the potential to grow into a major attraction on a par with the West Highland Way."