Kintyre and Gigha is jam packed with stunning scenery and fascinating scenes. Around every corner, you’ll discover a jaw-dropping view that’s crying out to be snapped and shared on Instagram. There are so many great instagrammable places on Kintyre and Gigha, from the wild and remote Mull of Kintyre to the white sandy beaches of Gigha. With all this beauty on offer, the question is: where to start? We’ve pulled together the five most instagrammable places in Kintyre and Gigha. Share these, sit back and watch the ‘likes’ rack up, be sure to #wildaboutargyll on your Instagram posts!
Saddell Bay
This beach on the east coast of Kintyre is a stunner. Wild and remote, it looks out over the Kilbrannan Sound to the hills of Arran and the Ailsa Craig. It’s also the beach where the famous video of Wings’ Mull Of Kintyre was filmed, with the Campbeltown Pipe Band seen marching along the shore. Post a shot on Instagram and see how many of your followers recognise it! At one end of the bay in front of Saddell Castle, there’s a sculpture by artist Anthony Gormley. A shot of this life-sized figure staring out to sea could set your Instagram feed on fire.
Twin Beaches, Gigha
Post a photo of these wonderful sandy bays on Instagram and your followers would be forgiven for thinking you’re on holiday in the Caribbean. The southerly of the two beaches, Bagh Rubha Ruaidh is lovely, but north-facing Bagh na Doirlinne is truly stunning. With fine white sand and turquoise water, it’s pure island paradise. You’ll find the Twin Beaches at the north end of the island of Gigha on the west coast.
Westport Beach
Looking for an Instagram action shot? Then catch some waves at Westport Beach, one of Scotland’s best surfing spots. The west coast of Kintyre has numerous sandy beaches which are often pounded by Atlantic breakers, but Westport Beach must be the finest. It stretches for six miles to Machrihanish. If you want to look like a pro in the photo, get yourself some surfing lessons at Pete’s Surf School. Pete operates from the car park at the beach, providing lessons for all levels as well as surf gear hire.
Campbeltown Picture House
For something a bit different, catch a film and enjoy the ambiance is this beautifully restored art nouveau cinema. It’s distinctive – inside and out! When it opened in 1913, Campbeltown Picture House was one of the first purpose-built cinemas in Britain. Designed by celebrated cinema designer Albert V Gardner, it follows the ‘atmospheric style’. Few of these atmospheric cinemas now survive; Campbeltown Picture House is the only example left in Scotland and one of only a handful in Europe. In the auditorium, look out for the blue sky with moving white clouds projected across it, and two plasterwork buildings (known locally as the "wee houses") on either side of the screen. There are free guided tours on offer.
Glen Scotia Distillery
Campbeltown used to be the whisky capital of the world, with more than 30 distilleries in the town. Get a taste of this whisky heritage with a tour of the historic Glen Scotia Distillery. Founded in 1832, it's one of the smallest whisky distilleries in Scotland. The distillery still maintains much of its original design. A few drams in the Victorian-styled shop is a great opportunity for an Instagram snap! Springbank Distillery is another great distillery to visit the Ardsheil Hotel Whisky Bar? Over 700 malts line the wall behind the bar, just waiting to be sampled (and snapped!).
Photo: Anthony Gormley sculpture at Saddell Bay.