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So, I have the chance to grab a child free couple of nights by depositing the kids with Granny on Arran. I thought we'd hop over to Kintyre on the ferry, and maybe stay in Tarbert or Lochgilphead for a bit of road riding (sadly not mtb). However, streetview makes Lochgilphead look like the kind of place you definitely don't want to stay, with Tarbert looking marginally more inviting. In terms of routes, the Lochgilphead area would suit us better. Demands are nice clean place to stay, and a nice pub with good food.
Are these towns as grim as I'm envisaging? Is there such a thing as a nice place to stay and a good pub in either? Thanks!
Oh god, is this place so terrible that no one in the whole stw hive mind has ever been?!
I've only ever driven trhough Lochgilphead to get to Tarbert. Tarbert was a good wee town with a few boozers and quite pretty. The folk festival was on so the pubs were packed. What about inverrary?
I'd just stay on Arran tbh.
Inverary is a bit more driving than we hoped to do. Staying on Arran - yes for mtb, but I don't fancy it on the road bike. Plus I want to put water between me and the kids!
There's nothing wrong with Tarbert.
Don't know anything about Lochgilphead.
I know. The road cycling is good down the Campbeltown penisula, and maybe even amazing out round the Mull of Kintyre lighthouse. Roads round Lochgilphead tend to be quite busy.
Conversely, we preferred Lochgilphead to Tarbert when we stayed for a week in a wee cottage next to the Crinan Canal at Cairnbaan - went to Tarbert for a day and didn't hang around long - sorry to any locals! Admittedly we didn't actually do much more than food shopping in Lochgilphead but did walk around it. Ate most of our meals in Crinan or Cairbaan itself.
Must admit I did think there was some nice riding in the area whether road, mountain or exploring the forest roads in the area.
EDIT - Concur with Waderider's comment about the main arterial roads being busy!
The Grey Gull in Ardrishaig is great for accommodation and food. From there head up on the Oban Road and ride through Kilmichael glen to Ford
Funny this should come up - I've got to get the bus from Galsgow to Lochgilphead then find a way to Crinan on Saturday to join my, er, ship, ahem, a 22 ft Swallow Boat belonging to my pal, in which we will be sailing along the south coast of Islay stopping at several distilleries and finishing at Dunstaffnage north of Oban a week later.
I'm worried about my train to Glasgow - does anybody know how reliable the replacement buses are? Will I be in Carlisle in time to keep with the original train schedule?
Staying on Arran - yes for mtb, but I don't fancy it on the road bike
I'd suggest that the road riding on Arran is as good as you'll get anywhere. Do the figure of 8 one day, then the 5 ferries another day. Both cracking days.
Stay [url= http://www.altachorvie.com/ ]here[/url] - a far nicer wee village than either Lochgilphead or Tarbert, wicked places to eat and drink, stunning views and an awesome chilled atmosphere.
And just tell them you're away to Kintyre, they'll never know!
What's up - afraid you'll not find somewhere selling skinnysoychoccamoccalatte or artisanal, free-range pulled pork served in a dog bowl? 🙂
Don't know your budget but the kilberry inn [url=kilberryinn.com]kilberryinn.com[/url] near tarbet is lovely, but remote.
for what is worth , tarbet is a nice little town with some good restaurants, including a tapas bar on a boat last time I visited.
Lochgliphead is also pleasant but lacks eating options.
Cairnbaan Hotel by Crinan canal does good food and is a nice place to stay. the rooms are a little worn but still nice.
Or stay in Carradale, a lovely wee place.
Should be a nice cycle down the road from Clonaig to get there too
Or do what Nobeer said, Arran is ace
Or stay in Carradale, a lovely wee place.
Should be a nice cycle down the road from Clonaig to get there too
Or do what Nobeer said, Arran is ace
What's up - afraid you'll not find somewhere selling skinnysoychoccamoccalatte or artisanal, free-range pulled pork served in a dog bowl?
I am afraid that it will be like going on holiday to where I grew up. Plus, I have a track record of planning holidays to terrible locations/accommodation.
And just tell them you're away to Kintyre, they'll never know!
But my mum will. Regular updates of our progress round the island, what we've eaten, how fast we are going, etc etc, will be relayed to her by those who know her. Which is basically EVERYONE.
Tarbert is sounding more promising. Thanks.
Ferry from tarbert to portavadie and then cycle to tighnabruich and back. Looks like you'd have the roads pretty much to yourself and lots of wee coves and beaches to explore en route.
Carradale is very nice, but the road down to Campbeltown is very up and down to put it mildly. On the Atlantic side, the road to Campbeltown is flatter but faster with lots of lorries tearing past.
Nothing wrong with either wee town, they are both just quiet. Sealochside villages. Few pubs and restaurants not much else happens.
If you go to Tarbert you can get the ferry across to Islay easily. There should be plenty of good road riding there.
Tighnabruiach? It's one more ferry and awesome. Lochgilphead is also fine. Loads of rural council houses are now holiday homes or populated with older people family s or folk seeking the quiet life. Ned distribution is less dense.