Carradale

Carradale Harbour, with Arran in the Background

On the east coast of Kintyre, opposite the Isle of Arran, lies the little fishing village of Carradale. Accessible via a spur off the B842 thirteen miles north of Campbeltown, Carradale is the only place of any size en-route to Tarbert in the north.

The Fishing Fleet Carradale Bay from the South Fishing Nets

The road north from Campbeltown only becomes single track once it passes Carradale; but even further south the tight twists and turns, coupled with the distraction of superb views over Arran, can catch out the unwary.

Port Righ, with Arran Beyond

Carradale itself is a slightly fragmented settlement. There is a large shop at the junction with the B842; while a little to the south of the heart of the settlement lies Port Righ; and Carradale Harbour again has a separate feel to it.

The Carradale Hotel is the hub of social life in the village, which also has a shop and post office. Carradale is also home to the Network Heritage Centre housed in an old school house with fishing, farming and forestry displays. The Centre is open from Easter to mid-October, Monday to Saturday, from 10.30am to 5pm, and Sunday 12.30pm to 4.30pm.

Carradale harbour opens out at the bottom of a steep road winding east from the village centre. Outside the tourist season, this is the mainstay of the village economy.

Piles of nets, floats, ropes, lobster pots and assorted baskets tumble along the quay side and fishing boats jostle for position on their moorings. This is very much 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 in 1990; a sobering reminder of the dangers of working these waters.

To the south, Carradale bay has a wide sweeping sandy beach stretching out towards Carradale Point. In contrast, Port Righ bay is sheltered nestled between the Point and the headland. Overlooking the bay is Dunvalanree, an STB 4 Star Small Hotel, converted from the shell of an old herring boat factory which once occupied the site. The hotel restaurant is open to non-residents and offers an imaginative menu combining fresh local produce fished and farmed on Kintyre.

The woods around Carradale have several marked walks. There is also a vitrified fort, built more than 2000 years ago, on a small tidal island off the headland of Carradale Point.