Kintra

Settlement in Argyllshire

Scotland

Kintra

The Beach at Fionnphort Credit: Des Blenkinsopp

Kintra is a small village located in the Argyllshire region of Scotland. Situated on the western coast of the region, Kintra offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and is surrounded by picturesque landscapes. With a population of around 100 residents, it is a close-knit community that thrives on its natural beauty and tranquility.

The village is known for its rugged coastline, sandy beaches, and rolling hills, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the nearby Kintra Farm, which offers horseback riding and guided tours of the surrounding countryside. The area is also home to diverse wildlife, including seals, otters, and various species of birds.

Despite its remote location, Kintra is well-connected to nearby towns and cities. The village is approximately 10 miles from the town of Bowmore, where residents can access essential amenities such as shops, schools, and healthcare facilities. Additionally, the Isle of Islay Airport is just a short drive away, providing convenient access to the mainland and other destinations.

In terms of accommodation, Kintra offers a range of options for visitors. From cozy bed and breakfasts to self-catering cottages, there is something to suit every taste and budget. Local pubs and restaurants serve up delicious traditional Scottish cuisine, often featuring locally sourced seafood and whisky from nearby distilleries.

Overall, Kintra is a hidden gem in the Argyllshire region, offering a peaceful retreat for those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Its natural beauty, friendly community, and rich wildlife make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those looking to experience the true essence of rural Scotland.

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Kintra Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.339896/-6.356299 or Grid Reference NM3024. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Beach at Fionnphort

Des Blenkinsopp

Fionnphort Beach and Iona

A view across the Sound of Iona.

Des Blenkinsopp

Split boulder at Fionnphort

A distinctive feature of the shore at Fionnphort, this huge split boulder of Ross of Mull Granite can only be approached dryshod at the bottom of a spring tide when an easy walk across the soft sand gives close up views from any angle of choice. The split is most obvious with the sky behind, looking north (its clear from the other side, too, of course, but then the rock is in shade and not so attractive to photograph). This rock must have been dropped here by ice - it's definitely a boulder, not bedrock. In some parts of the world, not too far away, the explanation would undoubtedly be that it had been lobbed by an angry Troll and had split on hitting some warrior's helmet.

Andy Waddington

Mooring on Fionnphort beach

I usually encounter mooring buoys by paddling past them in a sea kayak, but this one is at the bottom of a spring tide and entirely stranded, so the huge chain link to which it is attached can be inspected.

Andy Waddington

TÃ²rr MÃ²r quarry pier from Bull Hole

Bull Hole is a sheltered channel between Eilean nam Ban and the Ross of Mull, which forms a convenient anchorage for any vessel with a shallow enough draft. This includes the Iona ferry, which beds down tied to the island each night. The pier and buildings here are associated with the granite quarry at Tòrr Mòr and the jetty would have provided a secure place to tie up boats exporting the product elsewhere, out of the swiftly flowing tide in the Hole itself. It's looking a bit decrepit now, however, and what boats are here are pulled up safely on the grass above the beach.

Andy Waddington

Eilean Dubh na Ciste

Eilean Dubh na Ciste is a rocky skerry at the NNE end of Bull Hole, a narrow channel and anchorage between Iona and the Ross of Mull. Its advantage from my perspective is that the two main rocks are linked by a small sandy tombolo beach which provides a convenient place to land a sea kayak and wander around getting the best views. This view looks northwards to more skerries outside Kinta harbour, where the water is a lot calmer than on my last visit NM3125 : Paddling into the sun - Eilean Corrach.

Andy Waddington

Landing on Eilean Dubh na Ciste

Eilean Dubh na Ciste is a rocky skerry at the NNE end of Bull Hole, a narrow channel and anchorage between Iona and the Ross of Mull. Its advantage from my perspective is that the two main rocks are linked by a small sandy tombolo beach which provides a convenient place to land a sea kayak and wander around getting the best views. This is the full extent of the beach - my back is almost against the rocks looking over my landing spot towards the bay south of Kintra.

Andy Waddington

Sand on Eilean Dubh na Ciste

Eilean Dubh na Ciste is a rocky skerry at the NNE end of Bull Hole, a narrow channel and anchorage between Iona and the Ross of Mull. Its advantage from my perspective is that the two main rocks are linked by a small sandy tombolo beach which provides a convenient place to land a sea kayak and wander around getting the best views. These are the rocks on the eastern edge of the beach, beyond which lie the shallow bays and rocky coast hiding the settlement of Kintra.

Andy Waddington

Rock-hopping towards Rubh na Cearc, Ross of Mull

Like most sea kayaking trips, we'd chosen our time of day to get the tides working for us - soon after this shot was taken, the ebb tide was whisking us south down the Sound of Iona with very little effort on our part. That meant that we were passing Rubha na Cearc close to the top of the tide (and getting towards evening). These skerries look a lot bigger on the map and on aerial photos which are mostly shot near low tide. Even with this much water covering them, the small swell was causing the occasional breaking wave, one of which had just knocked Pete somewhat off-course, needing a swift reactive steering stroke to avoid the biggest barnacle-encrusted bit of granite.

Andy Waddington