SCOTLAND'S Route 66 - Gimmick or Genuine Contender? Join me on a drive round the Kintyre Coast...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ส.ค. 2022
- Launched just last year (2021), the Kintyre 66 is Scotland's newest driving route. That being said, the roads have been there forever, so is this a worthwhile addition to Scotland's increasing number of packaged-up camper van routes, or is it just a marketing gimmick with little substance? Join me on a trip round the Kintyre Coast over a couple of days in July 2022.
Disclaimer: This is NOT a comprehensive guide, just my impressions of the route over a limited period of time.
Maps courtesy of Google Maps
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
(Driving music from Roy Edwin Williams and American Legion)
(End credits music: 'Barefoot' by Slowfly)
Hi, I’m Steve. I am a travel reviewer and post my trip reports here on TH-cam. I pay for my own travel and produce my own videos. If you have any questions about my journeys or travel advice in general, please drop me a comment - I do read every single one. I’d also love to hear any recommendations you may have for future content, or why not challenge me to try something a little out of the ordinary! If you are looking to collaborate on any type of project, I’d love to hear from you - email me your ideas and hopefully we can work together in the future.
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#Kintyre66 #MullofKintyre #SteveMarsh
It made me so home sick! Sitting in my office here in Drouin, Victoria Australia, all I can do is to visualise a happy childhood, which is long gone now. Talk about being "Transported". I wish I can go home now. 63 years has gone so soon. Alba gu Bragh!
Ha. Angus I’m up the road in Mirboo and feel Scotland pulling me over…and the weather looks like Queensland 🙄
So glad to take you back there :)
@@paris5551000 Katrina yo are not wrong. I was walking through the car park at Woolies yesterday, and the rain reminded me so much of Inverness. It was that steady down pour that is hard to describe. No doubt you know how water proof a DRIZ A Bone is. When walking up the hill from Inverness Station a few years ago when I was home, the steady rain was just like we had yesterday. As I walked past the Castle on Castle Street Inverness, I could feel the cold water seeping though m DRIZ A BONE and my Leather Hat, and they were well seasoned with a cure before I left Australia. But och lass; it was good to be home!
@@WhoDaresWins-B20 ha ha. That made me laugh 😂.
I’m going to see what ticket prices are. I need to go!
I went to kilmory for my holidays 25 years ago and the weather was beautiful , what good memories ;
I didn't realise that campbeltown was so close to Ireland ;
Or it doesn't look that far ;
on camera 🤳
I just saw this video a year later and it is such a beautiful video. My mum ( RIP) used to tell me that as a Wren she was based in Campbeltown during WW2. She learned that the war had ended at Machrihanish! I have always wanted to do that trip to remember her. So I really enjoyed this TH-cam! Thank you so much Steve!
I'm having a giggle here, because I have looked over to the Mull of Kintyre from Northern Ireland (Giants Causeway) and said "I can't believe that's Scotland " 🤣🤣
Glad you took us there, because no bloody way we'd be attempting that road!
Thanks for another wonderful adventure.
Same. So that’s what we look like from over there.
@@caspianofnarnia we were visiting from New Zealand 😊
My husband was born in Belfast and immigrated with his family in 1969.
@@kelleywoods5244 I grew up there, but I live in Nashville now. These Irish get everywhere. 😂
Haha cool! I'm gonna head over to the other side next week - wish me a clear view!
@@steve-marsh if you're going to the Giants Causeway, ask a local where to park because the carpark fees are outrageous now.
I'm sure the weather will be lovely, if it's not then just head to Bushmills lols 😆
Another great video. I remember when I was a little girl living in Northern Ireland my Dad pointing out Scotland to us from one of the beaches there. I was fascinated that another country could be so close lol.
My favourite TH-camr back doing an amazing trip. Thanks Steve you're a legend and keep entertaining us all.
Richard, thanks so much again! :)
I enjoyed the trip so very much. Beaches, ferry rides, scenery, a beautiful old graveyard, a castle, towns, I think you covered it all. Thanks for taking us along.
Cheers Doris!
Shame you had to rush on and off Ghiga. I took my bike there - one of the most attractive small islands I have ever seen. Full of wild flowers and tiny sandy bays.
Smiles in the sunshine and tears in the rain
Still take me back to where my memories remain
Flickering embers grow higher and higher
As they carry me back to the Mull of Kintyre
Magically beautiful... Thanks so much for the share. Stay safe and healthy.
Kintyre is a beautiful part of the world. As a whisky fan, I always go to Campbeltown. Did you notice the beautiful Victorian villas round about? A sign that in the 19th Century, Campbeltown was the richest burgh in Scotland. You can still see shells of closed distilleries that shut a hundred years ago -even Tesco is built on part of one. And of course a lot of us know that the greatest distillery of them all, Springbank is in the wee town.
You parked outside the cinema which is the oldest in Scotland.
We tend to stay in Tarbert is it’s a great place to do Islay from, go up to Oban and come in or go via Arran. When we go to Campbeltown we go down the east coast of Kintyre as the drive is so spectacular travelling south.
You need a trip to Arran!
Cheers Michael! Wish I'd had more time in Campbeltown!
"That wee Liverpudlian singer from Wings" 🤣
Thanks Steve for showing us another wonderful spot in Scotland. I'm not sure how people have the courage to drive some of those roads. Brent informed me while we were watching this, that Campbellton is New Brunswick, Canada (our home province) was named after Campbeltown in the Mull of Kintyre. Obviously NB spells it differently but this was something I did not know. Many settlers from Kintyre came to the northern NB area when they emigrated to Canada. I guess Brent has a few ancestors from Kintyre, (probably why he knows this, It's like living with Wikipedia! 🙄). We learn so much about the different areas of Scotland from your videos! Keep 'em coming!
Thanks guys! I have an idea to visit some towns named after/twinned with Scottish towns - so much potential :)
@@steve-marsh excellent, pretty much all of Canada then! Lol
I lived in Campbeltown for a few years, still returning when I can. (Last was just in June). The drive is fantastic but does it really need a label to attract people? I'm always wary when we create another "Route" as in some instances the roads are just not suitable. For those that wish to visit Kintyre, please do. I love sitting on Westport beach and watching the sun and looking out to Islay (another place I've lived), Jura, and Gigha.
Btw Gigha is pronounced Gee'ah. ;)
We used to holiday in Campbeltown/ Kintyre in the late 60's and we used to start the long journey on the Erskine ferry. As a wee boy the whole journey seemed to last for ever. Lovely area though and quiet. I agree with you about all this "route" creation. If anyone wants to go, just go! It's not difficult.
Totally agree with you!
@@alancumming6407 I still have a bottle of Whisky distilled (uisge beatha) at Campbelltown. That Distillery is long gone now but a wee dram ever now and again; and you know you are alive. I am a committee member of the Ardbeg Distillery and entitled to a free dram every time I go back. My problem is being so far away. I have hidden my 17 Year old bottle of Ardbeg away which I will flush doon ma throat when I am about to breath my last. I have a could of sons in law who periodically carry out a search for my whisky.
so agree, its ruined so many places AND the welcome many get as the locals are fed up to the back teeth with the inconsiderates that leave disgusting waste everywhere
I love that there's hardly any other cars! I did this drive over 40 yrs ago... hasn't changed much!
Steve, you’re so lucky having such beauty virtually on your doorstep. I have to travel several hours to visit those amazing places. I fell in love with Scotland when I finally visited The Highlands and a couple of Hebridean Islands, more visits planned to enjoy Scotland.
We all live on an island why do you think covid was so bad
@@damienlafferty7555 interesting comment though I’m not sure it has much to do with my comment to Steve.
Thanks so much for the comment, I need stuff like this to stop me taking Scotland for granted :)
@@steve-marsh I can’t imagine you taking Scotland for granted for one minute. You’re proud of your beautiful country and you like to share it. I look forward to watching your videos each time I see a notification
Hello and Greetings from Newcastle upon Tyne. I am addicted to watching your video's . . . that's it, that's my message.
Haha cheers Luke, that’s what I like to hear 😊
As always, another great video. And thank you for doing all the heroic uphill walking to get good views for us to enjoy!
Cheers Barney! Tougher than I expected that walk! :D
That was a real treat. Beautiful scenery, and so informative. Much appreciated!
Really welcome! Thanks :)
Im loving the videos on your channel! The scenery in this one was spectacular! Thank you for making them and posting them!
Thanks so much!
Another journey around a great part of the world and those views made it even better, thanks for taking me along I enjoyed every minute. Stay safe and cheers.
Cheers Simon! :)
Thanks a lot Steve.
Covered a bit of everything.
A lovely tour including dash cam scenes etc.
Much appreciated.
Keep it up.
Always looking forward to your next trip 👌👍😇
Cheers Stasek!
Another cracking video! Thanks for taking us along ❤️
You're more than welcome Linda! :)
Loved this one! Great views, and great laughs! Thank you so much for making these videos, love them!
You're so welcome Becky! :)
Fantastic video again Steve. Thank you for taking us with you 👍
And to you for coming along!
Another lovely drive! Thanks for taking us along and doing the driving. That road does look very challenging in parts especially as a Canadian who is a public transit user on her UK adventures. It appears we have the same motto "Always go the the castle". :)
I guess you could get public transport for most of this route, oh that would be a good challenge :)
great joy.Thank you
Very enjoyable.. Thank You Steve.
Loved the trip as normal with you in your part of the world. look forward to seeing your videos every time you post
Keep up the great work.
Really appreciate it Wayne!
What a lovely drive. That's the part I love the most, the journey! And even ferry rides and castles, almost a lighthouse. Thank you once again for the work you do to make these videos for our amusement. Say hi to Alicja for me. Hope you're enjoying your Montrose Place. Be well, stay safe, love from Texas.
Thanks so much Kate! Love travelling, but also great to come 'home' to Montrose :) All the best to you!
Another great vid, thanks Steve. Tarbert brought back happy memories of the couple of times I went there including when I did the Cal Mac Island Hop 16 (an interesting journey, check it out if you've not seen it) as foot passenger and enjoyed a pleasurable few days on Islay. Keep up the good work sir.
I'd love to do that! Cheers Matt!
Another really enjoyable tour of lovely Scotland. We could do with someone like yourself making scenic and informative videos of Wales.
Ahhh Wales is so high on the list - but want to do that one when Alicja can come too!
Thanks for taking us along Steve. Love from Galicia.
Thanks so much! :)
Thanks for taking us along!
And to you mate :)
Once again a fun tour and lots of nice scenery.
Glad you enjoyed it :)
Steve i have looked at so many of your exciting and wonderful videos with yourself and Alicia boy are they ever intriguing and sometimes scary! Most of all i truly admire your honesty and simplicity in every occasion you both face with such positivity and determination! You are so sweet about it when somtimes there is no breakfast place around or comfortable places to lay your head for the night. You and Alicia truly give us your best of Scotland and it’s amazing beauty. Not only the beauty of this wondrous place but also the beauty that lies in your hearts ♥️ ❤
Carol that's the sweetest comment ever, thank you SO much from both of us!
I journeyed up on the night train to Fort William for a long weekend trip many years ago and hired a car to get me around the area. One of the surprises that struck me was how smooth and unblemished the roads were! It was a joy to drive around. I have Scottish and Irish blood in my DNA and love all things Celtic and Gaelic. Loving this roaming video and it's bringing back so many wonderful memories. Thank you ❤
Another brilliant video, loved seeing the old roads. :)
Glad you enjoyed it Morgan! Cheers!
Cheers for another great video Steve stunning scenery.ps the music just fits ure videos.🍺🍺👍
Cracking Video Steve the scenery in our country is truly breathtaking.
Cheers Derek!
We did the Kintyre Peninsula in 2018, and found it to be amazing. Sadly you missed the Springbank Distillery, fantastic tasting room, and tour! Also, there were some caves after Campbeltown, on the way to the Mull lighthouse. Good for you for hiking all the way down to the lighthouse- and I agree, the road is scary. We saw the Linda McCartney memory garden as well. I loved Skipness Castle when we visited, we were the only ones there, and the views were stunning. Tarbert was lovely, but we drove on up to Inveraray, and had a fantastic lunch at the George Hotel, then toured the Castle of the Duke of Argyll, at Inveraray. Your drive, views, and observations were spot on. I would do this drive again, absolutely.
Once again Steve,many thanks for allowing me to come with you on your tour of Kintyre,Keep em coming laddie .
Another great video, thanks for feeding my Scotland withdrawal symptoms.
We stayed in Rothesay in September 2015 and took the Rhubodach - Colintaive ferry to the mainland, hardly turned the engine off before restarting it, such a short crossing.
We drove north to pick up the A83 down through Inverary, a place we drove through many times and a welcome toilet stop, down to Campbeltown.
After a coffee break very close to the place you ate at in your previous video we took the east coast road back to the A83 and Rothesay.
As part of our dozen or so visits to Scotland over the last decade or so we did a lot of miles and saw some magnificent scenery.
Checking the route for this post I didn’t realised how far we drove that day, so we almost did the route 66 before it was famous, as I did the North Coast 500 learning to drive in Scotland in 1969 before that was also famous.
Thanks again, keep up the great videos.
Superb Mike, thanks for sharing! Aye, you were doing all these roads long before the marketers got involved :)
You’ve chosen an excellent sound track for this video! I’m new to your channel but thoroughly enjoy it thus far!
Such a fantastic video brings tears to my eyes. Need to get home again soon
Hi Steve as always great content and video quality with the usual interesting facts thrown in, been to the area once before but missed half of the interesting things you manage. Thanks again safe travels.
Thanks Brian!
Thank you for a fantastic video. It brings back memories of our two week stay at a self-catering cottage in Achnashelloch in 2014. We did the same route then, only in clockwise direction. Glad to see that the 'End of public road' sign is replaced in the mean time. At the point we were there, it was all scratched up and witth stickers saying 'YES' or 'NO' for independent Scotland. Keep up the good work Steve!
Cheers Henk!
I have really been enjoying your videos. My only comment for this particular one is to show where you are on the map more often. Keep up the good work 😊
Absolutely stunning!! Thank you!
Cheers Molly! :)
Great video once again Steve.You are a great ambassador for Scotland.
Thanks so much Cherry!
Totally agree Steve that part of the country, if you have the weather is absolutely beautiful ☀️🏴!
Aye I chased the weather for this one mate :)
Great road trip! I really enjoyed this tour and I agree the views are amazing!
Excellent as always Steve, enjoyed that 😃
Cheers mate!
Aw Steve, your vid to Campbeltown was fab. My late husband and his uncle lived there for years. It was so good to "do the drive" again and has left me in a state but it was still great to see it again. Keep up the good work Steve. You nail it every time
Thank you so much Linda!
Wow beautiful roadtrip, while you watched the road we all could watch the gorgeous villages and views. It made me dream about how it would be living along the coast up there ...... would not stop looking at the skies and the sea and ...... Still dreaming, thank you for another great video
That would be a wonderful drive for folks with only a few days to make the trip. Thanks for taking a look and sharing your adventure.
Thanks so much for joining me!
Come on now Steve……. The Isle of Gee ga. It is pronounced ghee a. (Gigha). Gigha is very interesting as it had a falling population until the community bought out the island in early the 2000s. Now the island is thriving with more people living there. More tourist attractions and its own electricity supply.
Aye, I'll never be an expert especially with pronunciation!
@@steve-marsh 😊
What a lovely video! Enjoyed the ride along. Love Scotland
Thanks so much!
Beaut!iful and interesting! Thank you, Steve
Thanks Steve, that brought back happy memories of a 1968 summer family holiday in Bellochantuy. A caravan on the beech and a sea kayak...perfect.
Awesome :) Thanks
Great video Steve. Planning a trip to Campbeltown and Islay next year. Very useful!
been there done that run. Had a tour of the lighthouse. Saddle Beach where that song was played. Stayed for a week in a caravan site West coast Thanks for taking us back to the Mull of Kintyre. Memorial of the fallen.
I like the music clips you play on your videos. Really pleasant to listen too.
Another wonderful film!
Thanks so much David!
Thank you Steve, another enjoyable road trip seeing places I could never go to, ah the freedom of a van, shame time limited, looking forward to the next one
Cheers John, aye the van lets me escape at the last minute to wherever the good weather sends me :)
Linda McCartney memorial garden on Route 66, no less! I'm gettin' my kicks.
27:00 - Dude, you need Wellies.
Thanks for this video. My ancestors are from Kintyre.
Great video Steve, it's a part of the world that I never went to even though I lived near Ayr for a couple of years. Hope you both are settling in to your new home
Thanks so much! It was a long drive home but feels like home already :)
Excellent video Steve. Huge Wings fan here!
Awesome trip. Great little towns and the vistas are beautiful. Looks like a great place to live. Would love to live in Scotland. Thanks. Walter
Cheers Walter!
1, Dunaverty rock 2. The Keil Hotel - Old Art Deco Hotel -Nice video- thanks...Awww The Wee Toon
Very enjoyable video Steve thanks
Thanks Jeanette!
Thanks again for bringing back some wonderful memories Steve! It must be 20 years since hubby and I were on holiday on the Kintyre peninsula: we stayed at Kilberry which is further northwest from the road you took, but stopped at Tarbert en route for a pub meal. We spent a day visiting Gigha - went round some gardens there. Watched the Lochranza ferry leave Claonaig when we were going back up the east coast, but missed Skipness Castle which looked amazing on your video - as did the lovely view of Tarbert at the end.
Glad it's a corner of Scotland you know well Sue! A great place to get away from everything!
Just a lovely, relaxing journey. Thankyou.
Thanks so much Heather!
@@steve-marsh actually, although I have never visited Scotland....at my wedding ( back in the 80's) ,I chose to honour my late father, buy having a piper at my wedding (in Australia).
I walked down the aisle to "Mull of Kintyre", and out again, with my husband to "Marie's Wedding ". So after 40 years it was lovely to see the Mull
That video is quite brilliant, next best thing to being there! I see the Mull of Kintyre very often but from Norn Iron and every time I see it I think exactly as you said ...can't believe that Scotland and a part of Scotland that I have never visited. Maybe some day!
Cheers Ray! Will be over to see it from the other side very soon :)
Another fantastic video Steve beautiful views. Hope you are both well
Cheers Robbie!
Fantastic Steve. Mull of Kintyre is where I used to love exploring in the 70's the drive down the A83 was spectacular in those days before the road was straightend out. Love seeing the Gigha ferry again and the villages down to Machrihanish (where I played Golf) Brought back lovely memories for me.
Thanks so much Keith!
Fabulous Steve, thank you for sharing. Xx
Thanks Judy!
Many years ago we stopped campletown few motorcyclist ...but didnt really explore ...cheers steve for inspiration to do it proper i always watch you on tv with google maps on my phone ...👌👌👌👌
Thanks so much, hope you get that way again soon and get weather like I did!
Great video again Steve & although not mega exciting there was still plenty of great wee things to visit.... Still my favourite drive was around Arran several years ago which is slightly shorter but with much much more to explore! The northern tip of Lochranza was my favourite with stunning walks & views & the best secluded cold water spring & pool to dive into 👍
I really need to do this mate!
Another fantastic road trip. Skipness castle was icing on the cake. Thanks!
Thanks Lynne! I was happy to finally find something on the east coast after getting lost :D
Another great video Steve.
I have watched quite a few of your video's and thought it was about time i subscribed to your channel.
So here i am.
Thanks so much Tim! That wee tap of the subscribe button helps so much, really appreciate it, have a great weekend!
Great video, just done the same thing 3 weeks ago, you've given us a few ideas for when we go back again.
Absolutely brilliant Steve. One of the best from New Zealand.
Thanks so much Chris!
Another mind blowing of the wonderful scenery you vlog up for us Steve. Beaches, towns, churchyards ...just so much. Best bit, but, was that you managed to avoid mentioning Pratley....
Haha cheers Peter! :)
Beautifull drive. Cool video. Well done, Thanks.
Cheers Gerd!
Funny how the locals always drive twice as fast. And was funnier whe you said the cats were friendly and it replied: "no, no!"
Steve, I'm a new subscriber, simply great you and the lass
Always love your stuff Steve .... your bar is set very high. Cheers from Cornwall.
Thanks so much Paul!
Love the breakfast and food moments ❤😂
I visited this part of the world on a camping holiday a week after the Scottish Parliament opened and four years later I was working in Campbeltown for a very brief 2 year period. This brought back many memories of my time in that part of the world. Thanks
Cheers for coming back with me John!
Very nice video , thank you !
That was great Steve. Suffering again on our behalf. Early on I was thinking how good the roads were compared to the rest of the country. But you soon found some dodgy ones! That hill up from the lighthouse was pretty tough but the views were great and nice beaches. Classic that the Abbey stones were closed but its certainly a quiet part of the country. Loved skipness Castle, a great building - always like when you can climb up towers.
Cheers Allan!
Damn Steve, thats another one I have to put on the bucket list. Looks gorgeous, particularly with the views on the days that you did it, and to me the roads don't look too bad, but then I'm used to single track roads in Devon with high hedgerows! All the best and look forward to the next one 👍
Scary driving indeed! :) Thanks Daz!
Thanks very much for your video, l found it very interesting, - with great views all round , l say well done Steve.
Cheers John!
I occasionally had to travel these roads back in the 80's when I was fixing the TV signal for these communities, and remember Tarbert and Campbeltown in particular. They don't appear to have changed much since then except perhaps more RV's on the roads now.
Aye spot on Colin! :)
Great Tour Steve! I enjoyed seeing The Linda MacCartney Memorial Garden!
What a really really enjoyable episode fair play to ya that was good 👍👍
Cheers Michael!
I really enjoyed this video Steve. When we lived near Locgilphead l was on Kintyre a lot..Painting and photographing. I love both coasts, both completely different. Saddell bay is very easy to miss, no signs. Its 9miles and about 20mins from Campbelltown. You come down a steep hill and see the bay away to youre right. As you come round a tight bend to the right, driving slowly you come to two stone gate posts and a lodgehouse with a parking area. A lovely old tree Avenue takes you to the Landmark Trust Castle. There you find the beach and the sculpture !! Thanks for the lovely trip......Alioban
Brilliant! I've always thought that walking up those steep hills was a better test of the heart than what the doc can give you. Take care.
Haha so true Bill!
Living in Inverness I am blessed to live within so many places and roads to drive and explore, but it’s just so busy here with tourists such as the NC500 and to be honest Kintyre 66 (K66) actually looks like a dream to escape the crowds and explore an area of Scotland I know little about. Though I would take my time and take a good few days to properly explore and relax
Aye, it's a bit crazy up there in summer eh!?
Am glad I did the NC500 out of season and before it became too well known.
@@andrew5200 I did it at least twice before it existed. If it did exist the Kyle Ferry was still running, the last time I did it there was a brand-new bridge there and a lot of the villages were by-passed! It was mostly single track road when I did it, the last time was not so good with most little places by-passed!
Lets hope this place doesnt go the same way , was a time when i loved Skye and the NW . Its been ruined .
Walter, I was privileged to be born at Inverness, and enjoyed my life until the father decided to go to Australia.. They say, you can take the boy out of Scotland, but you can NEVER take Scotland out of the boy.
Great Video Steve, never been to Campbeltown, its on my list. You must be knackered going to see that lighthouse especially the climb.
Aye, it was even worse than it looked! :D
Great photo there, at 'The Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse' - A special sky PS: South End looked fantastic too! The Lochranza Ferry terminal from MofK has one of the best views of Arran in my opinion. Very enjoyable video, Steve
Cheers! Oh, need to try that ferry some day! :)
We stayed in the little house by beach in Southend a couple of years ago. Swore we'd never drive over to the lighthouse again so I'm kind of pleased it wasn't just me being a wimp. Beautiful part of Scotland.
Nice! Haha yes, it's a beast of a road even though it didn't look so scary on my video!