Things To Do

Torrisdale Estate is an ideal location to relax and absorb the glorious scenery, nature and wildlife of the Kintyre peninsula. You can explore the castle grounds with its many trails (keeping an eye out for deer and golden eagles); climb the nearby hills, including Beinn an Tuirc, Kintyre’s highest peak, to enjoy some spectacular views; and visit the estate’s sandy beach, Torrisdale Bay, to enjoy the views of Arran, seabirds and the seals basking on the rocks.

In addition to those found on Torrisdale Estate, there is an abundance of enjoyable hill and forest walks in the local vicinity. The Forestry Commission offers a wide selection of walks varying from "easy" to "strenuous" around Carradale. In 2006, Scotland’s latest long distance walk was launched, the Kintyre Way, which in fact passes through Torrisdale. The walk stretches from Tarbert at the north end of Kintyre, to Southend in the south, extends to approximately 89 miles that criss-cross the peninsula and is divided into 7 sections.

Carradale
The attractive fishing village of Carradale is located approximately 2 miles to the north of Torrisdale where there are a variety of restaurants, bars and hotels to enjoy a meal, snack or typical Scottish hospitality. The Glen Bar and Restaurant, Carradale Hotel, Dunvalanree and Ashbank Hotel are all well worth a visit when staying at Torrisdale. You can also stock up on supplies in the village shop or Post Office while the local heritage centre, Network Carradale, has displays and activities for children and a very good tea-room.

Campbeltown
Campbeltown, Kintyre’s largest settlement, is located approximately 12 miles to the south of Torrisdale. The town provides a range of services including two supermarkets, shops, churches, restaurants, pubs, swimming pool, and a small airport with weekday flights to Glasgow. Of particular note in Campbeltown is the cinema, The Wee Picture House, the oldest purpose-built cinema in Scotland still showing films, Springbank Distillery, and Davaar Island, connected to the mainland at Campbeltown by a tidal causeway, where you can see the lighthouse and the famous cave painting of the Crucifixion. Slightly further afield, the Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse can be found at the south-western tip of the peninsula, where there has been a lighthouse since 1788.

Nearby Islands to Explore
Excursions to the islands of Islay, Jura, Gigha, and Arran can be undertaken in a day whilst the quiet roads allow visitors to explore the whole of Kintyre and most of Argyll in easy day trips.

The Isle of Gigha is the most southerly of the Hebridean Islands, now owned by the community after a successful buy-out.  The island is reached via a short ferry trip from the village of Tayinloan (approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour drive from Torrisdale). The island has breathtaking scenery and sandy beaches, with the world famous Achamore Gardens well worth a visit. 

The isles of Islay and Jura can be reached via the ferry crossing from Kennacraig, just to the south of Tarbert (approximately 45 minutes from Torrisdale).  There is an abundance of interesting attractions on both islands, including numerous distilleries, historical sites, pubs and restaurants.

Arran, often referred to as 'Scotland in Miniature' with its towering peaks and beautiful sandy bays, can be reached via a crossing from Claonaig, which is approximately 30 minutes north of Torrisdale.

Golf
In Scotland golf is never far away and this is no different for Kintyre. Carradale, a challenging and very tricky 9 hole course with spectacular coastal views (we provide 2 free rounds per holiday, except during July and August), is the nearest course. There are further courses at Dunaverty, near Southend, and Tarbert, while the jewel in the crown must be the 18 hole championship links course at Machrihanish, voted to have "the best opening hole in golf" by golf architects and players and listed in the top 100 golf courses outside the USA by the Golfer's Digest. More distant courses include those on Arran, Gigha, and Islay

History
There is an abundance of historical monuments and places of interest close to Torrisdale.  Saddell Abbey, approximately 3 miles to the south, is perhaps the most famous, founded around the beginning of the 13th Century where an extensive collection of late medieval carved grave stones can be seen.  Also of note is Saddell Castle, located next to the beach where the video for the classic Wings hit ‘Mull of Kintyre’ was filmed.

Skipness Castle is located in the peaceful village of Skipness to the north of the peninsula.  Little is known about the early history of the castle though it occupies a position of considerable strategic importance and was a major medieval fortress. In 1261, it was held by Dugald McSween on behalf of The Lords of the Isles, reverting to the crown in 1493, when it became another stronghold for Clan Campbell.  The castle is now in the care of Historic Scotland and is open to the public.

Although not much of the castle of Dunaverty, near Southend, stands, it is worth visiting purely due to its long and bloody history, culminating in the events of 1647, when a garrison of 300 men were massacred by the army of General David Leslie.

Glenbarr Abbey and the MacAlister Clan Visitors Centre is another notable attraction, situated on the west coast of the Kintyre peninsula, as are the medieval remains of Airds Castle, set on the headland between the Carradale harbour and the tiny bay of Port Righ.