Kintyre area profile
The peninsula of Kintyre is the most southerly mainland area of the HIE Argyll and the Islands area. The local authority for the area is Argyll and Bute Council. The total population is approximately 10,400 with the two main settlements being Tarbert (approximately 2,000 people) in the north and Campbeltown (approximately 5,500 people) in the south. Transport: Road: The main road from Kintyre to Scotland's central belt is the A83. Campbeltown is 136 miles from Glasgow which is approximately a three hour drive. Tarbert is 98 miles from Glasgow, a drive which takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes. Lochgilphead, which is the administrative capital of the area, is approximately 52 miles from Campbeltown and 14 from Tarbert and journey times are around one hour from the former and twenty minutes from the latter. Oban is a further 38 miles to the north of Lochgilphead and drivers should allow a further 60 minutes for this journey. A network of regular bus services are provided by West Coast Motors/Citylink Ferries: There are a number of ferries which operate from Kintyre. Caledonian MacBrayne operates services from Kennacraig to Islay (approximately 2 hours 15 minutes) and a weekly summer service to Colonsay (approximately 3 hours 35 minutes); Tayinloan to the island of Gigha (approximately 25 minutes); Tarbert to Portavadie on the Cowal peninsula (approximately 25 minutes) and Claonaig to Lochranza on the Isle of Arran (approximately 30 minutes - seasonal). It is hoped that the ferry link between Campbeltown and Ballycastle in Northern Ireland will be restored for the summer of 2003 and tendering for an operator is underway. Air: There is a twice-daily air service from Campeltown to Glasgow which is operated by Loganair on behalf of British Airways and has a flight time of appoximately 30 minutes. In addition to scheduled service flights and emergency medical landings Campbeltown airport also has capacity to take chartered and private planes for the transport of passengers or freight. Further information can be obtained from the operators, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL). Transport services:
Education: There are secondary schools at Tarbert and Campbeltown offering education up to 6th year. Tarbert Academy draws its pupils from primary schools in Tarbert, Clachan and Skipness. In addition some pupils transfer to Tarbert from Rhuanahaorine School near Tayinloan whilst others continue their edcuation in Campbeltown. Campbeltown Grammar School draws its pupils from primary schools in Campbeltown (Castlehill, St Keiran's RC Primary School and Dalintober), Glenbarr, Southend, Carradale, Drumlemble and the Isle of Gigha. Further education is provided by Argyll College and James Watt College. Healthcare provision: In addition to a modern hospital in Campbeltown the area is served by the new acute hospital in Oban and patients can also receive treatment in Glasgow if necessary. Health services are provided by the Argyll and Clyde Health Board. The area has five medical practices at Tarbert, Muasdale, Carradale, Campbeltown and Southend. There are two dental practices in Campbeltown and Tarbert. General: The main shopping centres are in Campbeltown and Tarbert and most villages also support a local store and post office. Industries include tourism, agriculture, fishing, aquaculture, fish processing, forestry and recently the area has become synonymous with the development of renewable energy with the creation of a wind turbine factory at Machrihanish. The area is a magnet for those interested in outdoor pursuits such as sailing, golf, canoeing, fishing, walking and surfing. In addition there is a thriving arts scene encompassing music, drama and the visual arts. In summer there are a number of high profile events such as the Tarbert Scottish Series, Scotland's premier race for yachtsmen, Tarbert Seafood Festival and music festivals at Tarbert, Gigha and Campeltown. Community websites
|