Focus on Carradale

one of Scotland’s

less-visited treasures

Part 1- Thevillage

PaulWhite

Carradale is a quiet and unassuming wee village, cuddled into the east side of the Kintyre Peninsula.

The village of Carradale lies a little over halfway down the east coast, at a point where the Kilbrannan Sound is less than three miles wide. It marks the point where the twin-track road from the south becomes a single track as it heads north.

The result: few people end in up Carradale, at least those who never planned it as a destination, the village offers a gentle pace and a quiet charm that amply reflects that.

This village is one reason you should not overlook this less travelled east coast of the peninsula.

Carradale itself is a slightly fragmented settlement. The main coast road passes through Bridgend. Where you will find the petrol and police stations, a restaurant and, a little way along the B879, the rest of the village, including the parish church. Following the B879 towards the rest of the village takes you past the Carradale Network Centre, a heritage centre, on your left, while the woodland opposite conceals Carradale House and, beyond it, a caravan site overlooking Carradale Bay.

In the main centre of the village, you will find a shop and post office, two hotels, a golf club, and the residential focus of the village. Continuing east brings you to a steep descent that emerges beside Carradale's harbour. Piles of nets, floats, ropes, lobster pots and assorted baskets tumble along the quayside and fishing boats jostle for position on their moorings.

This is a working harbour. A plaque on the harbour wall pays tribute to the crew of the Carradale-based fishing vessel Antares, lost to the sea off Arran on 22 November 1990; a sobering reminder of the dangers of working these waters.

North from the harbour are more cottages, on Shore Road, which leads to the inlet at Port na Cùil, while the final element of the village lies to the south, beyond the golf course, where a group of cottages and larger houses overlook the beautiful bay of Port Righ.

North of Carradale feels increasingly remote, save for the wonderfully named little village of Grogport, and the slipway at Claonaig, linked by ferry to Lochranza on Arran.

To the south of the village, Carradale Bay offers a wide sweeping sandy beach stretching out towards Carradale Point. It is overlooked by Torrisdale Castle, home to an organic tannery. Four miles south of Carradale the road dips steeply into the valley of the Saddell Water, and here you can visit the remains of Saddell Abbey. These are fascinating in their own right and are home to a remarkable collection of medieval grave slabs and effigies.

The extensive forests around Carradale have several marked walks linking parking areas and the village itself. This helps to bring home Carradale's role in recent years as a centre for the forestry industry that has become so important across Kintyre.

A couple of strange facts about Carradale. Carradale Point is home to a herd of feral goats belonging to the Scottish Wildlife Trust. After a basking shark capsized a boat in the Kilbrannon Sound in 1937, killing three people, a shark processing factory was opened in Carradale in the 1940s; the shark oil was used for Tilley lamps.

As a member of the Scottish Travel Society, I must recommend The Ashbank Hotel, run by John and Sharon. I have been a guest of theirs on several occasions over the years and, I am certain, will be returning.

John and Sharon Bell welcome you to their cosy Bed & Breakfast, and Bar in beautiful Kintyre. They aim to make your visit an enjoyable and relaxing experience.

The Ashbank is in the beautiful fishing village of Carradale on the east coast of the Kintyre peninsula, with views across the Kilbrannan Sound to Arran and Ailsa Craig.

Ashbank is in an ideal location, being just a short walk from sandy beaches, and the working harbour. Situated in the heart of the village, you can take a different walk every day of the week, starting from the front door of the hotel. The Kintyre Way runs through Carradale, making a great base for Kintyre

The Ashbank Hotel

Airds, Carradale, Argyll, PA28 6RY

Tel: 01583 431 650, email: ashbank_hotel@btconnect.com

Way walkers and cyclists alike. The hotel is also within easy access to all ferry ports to the surrounding islands of Islay, Jura, Arran, and Gigha.

The Ashbank is the perfect venue for those wanting to get away from it all, whether you are looking for a relaxing time or an activityfilled break. Sightseeing, playing a round of golf, walking one of the trails and paths around Carradale, or enjoying the many activities in the area.

Breakfast is plentiful and well cooked, whether you’re a ‘Full Scottish’ type of person or a light eater.

The Ashbank is fully licensed, and the bar is open daily.

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