View source for Kintyre

{{Short description|Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox landform
| water             = 
| name              = Kintyre
| other_name        = {{Native name|gd|Cinn Tìre}}
| type              = [[Peninsula]]
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| location          = [[Argyll and Bute]], [[Scotland]]
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| embedded = {{Designation list
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| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_offname = Kintyre Goose Roosts
| designation1_date = 28 October 1998
| designation1_number = 966<ref>{{cite web|title=Kintyre Goose Roosts|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/966|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>}}
}}

'''Kintyre''' ({{langx|gd|Cinn Tìre}}, {{IPA|gd|kʲʰiɲˈtʲʰiːɾʲə}}) is a [[peninsula]] in western [[Scotland]], in the southwest of [[Argyll and Bute]]. The peninsula stretches about {{convert|30|mi|km|-1|abbr=off}}, from the [[Mull of Kintyre]] in the south to [[East Loch Tarbert, Argyll|East]] and [[West Loch Tarbert, Argyll|West Loch Tarbert]] in the north. The region immediately north of Kintyre is known as [[Knapdale]].

Kintyre is long and narrow, at no point more than {{convert|11|mi|km|abbr=off}} from west coast to east coast, and is less than {{convert|2|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} wide where it connects to Knapdale at the north. Kintyre is the lower [[Firth of Clyde]] western coast and protects the Firth from the [[Atlantic Ocean]].  The southerly tip of Kintyre is on the [[North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)|North Channel]] that separates southwestern Scotland from [[Northern Ireland]].  The east side of the Kintyre Peninsula is bounded by [[Kilbrannan Sound]], with a number of coastal peaks such as [[Torr Mor]]. The central spine of the peninsula is mostly hilly moorland, the highest point being Beinn an Tuirc at {{convert|454|m|ft|abbr=off}}.<ref>Ordnance Survey. Landranger 1:50,000 Map Sheet 68 (South Kintyre & Cambeltown)</ref> The coastal areas and hinterland, however, are rich and fertile. Kintyre has long been a prized area for [[settler]]s, including the early Scots who migrated from [[Ulster]] to western Scotland and the [[Vikings]] or [[Norsemen]] who conquered and settled the area just before the start of the second millennium.

The principal town of the area is [[Campbeltown]] (about {{convert|5.5|miles|km|abbr=on|disp=or}} by road from the Mull), which has been a royal burgh since the mid-18th century. The area's economy has long relied on fishing and farming, although Campbeltown has a reputation as a producer of some of the world's finest single malt [[whisky]]. [[Campbeltown single malts]] include [[Springbank Distillery|Springbank]].

[[Kintyre Pursuivant]], one of the [[Officer of Arms|officers of arms]] at the [[Court of the Lord Lyon]], is named after this peninsula.

==History==
=== Beginnings ===
[[File:Dun Skeig from the beach - geograph.org.uk - 516943.jpg|thumb|Dun Skeig]]
Kintyre, like Knapdale, contains several [[Stone Age]] sites; at [[Ballochroy]] is a trio of [[megalith]]s aligned with land features on the [[Jura, Scotland|island of Jura]], while a number of burial cairns still stand at [[Blasthill, Argyll|Blasthill]] (near [[Southend, Argyll]]). Remains from the [[Iron Age]] are no less present, with the imposing [[Dun Skeig]], a [[Dun (fortification)|Celtic hillfort]], located at the northern edge of Kintyre. The history of the presumed [[picts|Pictish]] inhabitants of Kintyre is not recorded, but a 2nd-century BC stone fort survives at [[Kildonan Dun|Kildonan]] (near [[Saddell#Kildonan Dun|Saddell]]), and it is not implausible that they continued to use Dun Skeig.

The tip of Kintyre is just {{convert|12|mi|km|abbr=off}} from [[Ulster]], and there has long been interaction across the [[straits of Moyle]], as evidenced by Neolithic finds in Kintyre, such as flint tools characteristic of [[County Antrim|Antrim]]. In the early first millennium, an Irish invasion led to [[Gaels|Gaelic]] colonisation of an area centred on the Kintyre peninsula, establishing the Gaelic kingdom of [[Dál Riata]]. The latter was divided into a handful of regions, controlled by particular kin groups, of which the most powerful, the [[Cenél nGabráin]], ruled over Kintyre, along with [[Knapdale]], the region between [[Loch Awe]] and [[Loch Fyne]] ([[Craignish]], [[Ardscotnish]], [[River Add|Glassary]], and [[River Aray|Glenary]]), [[Isle of Arran|Arran]], and [[Straits of Moyle|Moyle]] (in [[Ulster]]).

The kingdom thrived for a few centuries, and formed a springboard for Christianisation of the mainland. [[Sanda Island|Sanda]], an island adjacent the south coast of Kintyre, is strongly associated with [[Saint Ninian|Ninian]], the first known missionary to the Picts, and contains an early 5th century chapel said to have been built by him. In 563, [[Columba]] arrived in Kintyre, to pay his respects to the kings of Dal Riata, before continuing to [[Iona]], where he established a base for missionary activity throughout the Pictish regions beyond.

=== Norwegian dominion ===

Dál Riata was ultimately destroyed when [[Norsemen|Norse]] Vikings invaded, and established their own domain, spreading more extensively over the islands north and west of the mainland. Following the unification of [[Norway]], they had become the Norwegian [[Kingdom of Mann and the Isles|Kingdom of the Isles]], locally controlled by [[Godred Crovan]], and known by Norway as ''Suðreyjar'' (Old Norse, traditionally anglicised as ''Sodor''), meaning ''southern isles''. The former territory of Dal Riata acquired the geographic description ''Argyle'' (now ''Argyll''): the ''Gaelic coast''.

[[File:King-magnus-kityre.jpg|thumb|350px|Magnus dragging his boat across the isthmus, as depicted in an 1899 book]]
In 1093, [[Magnus Barefoot|Magnus, the Norwegian king]], launched a military campaign to assert his authority over the isles. [[Malcolm III of Scotland|Malcolm, the king of Scotland]], responded with a written agreement, accepting that Magnus' had sovereign authority of over all the western lands that Magnus could encircle by boat. The unspecific wording led Magnus to have his boat dragged across the narrow [[isthmus]] at [[Tarbert, Kintyre|Tarbert]], while he rode within it, so that he would thereby acquire Kintyre, in addition to the more natural ''islands'' of Arran and Bute.

Supposedly, Magnus's campaign had been part of a conspiracy against Malcolm, by [[Donald III of Scotland|Donalbain]], Malcolm's younger brother. When [[Battle of Alnwick (1093)|Malcolm was killed in battle]] a short time later, Donalbain invaded, seized the Scottish kingdom, and displaced Malcolm's sons from the throne; on becoming king, Donalbain confirmed Magnus' gains. Donalbain's apparent keenness to do this, however, weakened his support among the nobility, and Malcolm's son, [[Duncan II of Scotland|Duncan]], was able to depose him.

A few years later, following a rebellion against Magnus' authority in the Isles, he launched another, fiercer, expedition. In 1098, aware of Magnus' actions, the new Scottish king, [[Edgar of Scotland|Edgar]] (another son of Malcolm), [[quitclaim]]ed to Magnus all sovereign authority over the isles, and the whole of Kintyre and Knapdale.

[[File:Saddell Abbey 20100928 north transept and choir.jpg|thumb|left|Saddell Abbey, founded by Reginald, a son of Somerled]]
In the mid 12th century, [[Somerled]], the husband of Godred Crovan's granddaughter, led a successful revolt against Norway, transforming Suðreyjar (including Kintyre) into an independent kingdom. After his death, nominal Norwegian authority was re-established, but de facto authority was split between Somerled's sons and the [[Crovan dynasty]]. The exact allocation to Somerled's sons is unclear, but following a family dispute, [[Domhnall mac Raghnaill|Donald]], Somerled's grandson, acquired Kintyre, together with Knapdale, [[Islay]], and [[Jura, Scotland|Jura]]. Donald's father, [[Ragnall mac Somairle|Reginald]], established [[Saddell Abbey]], in 1207.

In the mid 13th century, increased tension between Norway and Scotland led to a series of Battles, culminating in the [[Battle of Largs]], shortly after which [[Haakon IV of Norway|the Norwegian king]] died. In 1266, his more peaceable successor ceded his nominal authority over Suðreyjar to the Scottish king ([[Alexander III of Scotland|Alexander III]]) by the [[Treaty of Perth]], in return for a very large sum of money. Although Alexander III generally acknowledged the semi-independent authority of Somerled's heirs, he did not give them back control of the mainland territory which Scottish forces had taken during the strife, including parts of Kintyre.

=== Early Scottish rule ===

In 1293, king [[John Balliol]] established [[sheriffdom|shrieval]] authority by creating the post of [[sheriff of Kintyre]]. Shortly after, [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert de Bruys]] launched a civil war challenging John for the throne. By this point, Somerled's descendants had formed into three families - the [[Clann Ruaidhrí|MacRory]], the [[Clan MacDougall|MacDougalls]], and the [[Clan Donald|MacDonalds]]; the MacDougalls took John's side, while the MacDonalds and MacRory backed de Bruys. When de Bruys defeated John, he declared the MacDougall lands forfeit, and gave them to the MacDonalds.

[[John of Islay, Lord of the Isles|The head of the MacDonald family]] married [[Amy of Garmoran|the heir of the MacRory family]], thereby acquiring the remaining share of Somerled's realm, and transforming it into the [[Lord of the Isles|Lordship of the Isles]], which lasted for over a century. After 4 years and 3 children, however, he divorced Amy, and married Margaret, the daughter of [[Robert II of Scotland|Robert II, the Scottish king]], who gave him the remaining parts of Kintyre, along with the whole of Knapdale, as a dowry.

In 1462, however, [[John of Islay, Earl of Ross|John, the then Lord of the Isles]], plotted with [[Edward IV of England|the English king]] to conquer Scotland; [[Wars of the Roses|civil war in England]] delayed the discovery of this for a decade. Upon the discovery, in 1475, there was a call for forfeiture, but a year later John calmed the matter, by quitclaiming Ross (Easter, Wester, and Skye), Kintyre, and Knapdale, to Scotland.

=== The Campbells and later ===

[[File:Tarbert Castle 21 09 2013.jpg|thumb|The remains of Tarbert castle]]
At an uncertain date before 1481, the sheriffdom of Kintyre became ''[[Tarbertshire]]'', based at [[Tarbert, Kintyre|Tarbert]] at the northern end of Kintyre; in that year, Tarbertshire was expanded to include Knapdale. However, [[Regality|comital authority]] remained absent following the [[quitclaim]] from the Lord of the Isles; following a law and order crisis in the region, king [[James IV of Scotland]] appointed [[Archibald Campbell, 2nd Earl of Argyll|Archibald Campbell, the Earl of Argyll]] as governor of [[Tarbert Castle]], with implied authority over nearby castles such as [[Skipness Castle|Skipness]].

Following the [[Scottish Reformation]], the MacDonalds (opponents) and [[Clan Campbell|Campbells]] (supporters) came into more direct dispute. In 1607, after a series of hostile actions by the MacDonalds, King [[James VI of Scotland|James VI]] ordered their lands in Kintyre to be transferred to [[Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll|Archibald Campbell, heir of the earlier Archibald]]. Under pressure from the [[Clan Campbell|Campbells]], the [[sheriff court]] moved to [[Inveraray]] at the extreme northeast of Tarbertshire, near the heart of Campbell power; somewhat inevitably, in 1633 shrieval authority was annexed by the [[Argyllshire|sheriff of Argyll]].

[[Archibald Campbell, 8th Earl of Argyll|Archibald's son]], a dedicated supporter of [[covenanter|the religious reformers]], developed a plan to establish a large settlement, around the village of Kinlochkilkerran, at the south of Kintyre, composed of loyal [[Presbyterian]]s from [[Lowland Scotland]], in order to outnumber and undermine the local [[Catholic]] population, and reduce resistance to the state's religious reforms. Under his son, [[Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll|Archibald]], this became [[Campbeltown]]. Their actions also had the effect of diluting Gaelic culture, gradually replacing it with a Lowlands one.

[[Regality|Comital powers]] were abolished by the [[Heritable Jurisdictions (Scotland) Act 1746|Heritable Jurisdictions Act]], leaving only the shrieval unit. In 1899, counties were formally created, on shrieval boundaries, by [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889|a Scottish Local Government Act]]; Kintyre became part of the [[Argyllshire|County of Argyll]]. Following late 20th century reforms, it is now within the wider region of [[Argyll and Bute]].

==Towns and villages in Kintyre==

[[Image:Crossaig north of Carradale on B842, Kintyre. - geograph.org.uk - 63443.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The north-eastern coast of the Kintyre peninsula looking northward to [[Skipness]] and the [[Sound of Bute]]]]
[[Image:L1010597.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Skipness Castle]]

{{Columns-list|colwidth=20em|
*[[Achinhoan]]
*[[Bellochantuy]]
*[[Campbeltown]]
*[[Carradale]]
*[[Clachan, Kintyre|Clachan]]
*[[Claonaig]]
*[[Dippen, Argyll|Dippen]]
*[[Drumlemble]]
*[[Glenbarr]]
*[[Grogport]]
*[[Kennacraig]]
*[[Kilchenzie]]
*[[Killean]]
*[[Machrihanish]]
*[[Muasdale]]
*[[Peninver]]
*[[Saddell]]
*[[Skipness]]
*[[Southend, Kintyre|Southend]]
*[[Stewarton, Kintyre|Stewarton]]
*[[Tarbert, Kintyre|Tarbert]]
*[[Tayinloan]]
*[[Torrisdale, Argyll|Torrisdale]]
*[[West Loch Tarbert, Argyll|West Tarbert]]
*[[Whitehouse, Kintyre|Whitehouse]]
}}

==Transport==

Information on all forms of public transport is available from [http://www.travelinescotland.com Traveline Scotland].

=== Bus and coach services ===

*Long-distance coach services to and from [[Glasgow]] are operated by [http://www.westcoastmotors.co.uk West Coast Motors] on behalf of [[Scottish Citylink]]
*Bus services throughout the Kintyre peninsula are operated by [http://www.westcoastmotors.co.uk West Coast Motors] alone.

=== Flights ===

*Available between [[Glasgow International Airport]] and [[Campbeltown Airport]]

=== Ferry services===

*Operated by [[Caledonian MacBrayne]] on the following routes:
**[[Claonaig]] - [[Lochranza]] (in summer)
**[[Kennacraig]] - [[Islay]]
**[[Tarbert, Kintyre|Tarbert]] - [[Lochranza]] (in winter)
**[[Tarbert, Kintyre|Tarbert]] - [[Portavadie]]
**[[Tayinloan]] - [[Gigha]]
**[[Campbeltown]]- [[Ardrossan]] (in summer) (suspended for the 2025 season)<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/24966071.calmac-cancels-popular-scottish-ferry-route-2025/| title=Campbeltown-Ardrossan ferry route axed for whole summer in CalMac rejig  | date=26 February 2025 }}</ref>
*Operated by [http://www.kintyreexpress.com/ Kintyre Express]:
**[[Campbeltown]] - [[Ballycastle, County Antrim]]

=== Railways ===

No railways remain in use today. From 1876 until 1931 the [[Campbeltown and Machrihanish Light Railway]] operated, initially built to transport coal.

==Places of historic interest==

[[Image:Church Ruins and Beehives - geograph.org.uk - 96776.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ruins of the old church at Kilchenzie with beehives below]]

{{Columns-list|colwidth=40em|

*Clachan Church - carved medieval grave slabs
*Kilchenzie church
*Kilchousland Chapel, near [[Peninver]]
*Kilcomkill, [[Southend, Kintyre|Southend]] - [[St Columba]]'s Chapel, carved grave slabs, "St. Columba's footprints" nearby
*Killean - St. John's Church - "most important medieval parish church in Kintyre"<ref>{{cite book
 | last = Newton
 | first = Norman S
 | title = Kintyre
 | year = 1999
 }}</ref> - carved grave slabs
*18th century Killean and Kilchenzie Church (united parish) at A'Chleit
*[[Saddell Abbey]]
*[[Saddell Castle]]
*[[Skipness Castle]]
*[[Tarbert Castle]]
}}

===Prehistoric sites===

[[Image:Looking south along the Kintyre Peninsula, from Torrisdale Bay. - geograph.org.uk - 62499.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Kintyre Peninsula visible from [[Torrisdale Bay, Argyll|Torrisdale Bay]]]]

{{Columns-list|colwidth=40em|

*[[Avinagillan standing stone]]
*[[Ballochroy]] [[standing stones]]
*[[Beacharr]] standing stone, near Tayinloan
*Corriechrevie [[Chambered cairn|cairn]] - intact
*[[Dun Skeig]] - [[Iron Age]] forts near Clachan
*Kildonan galleried [[dun (fortification)|dun]]
*A crag near the chapel of Keil and St. Columba's Well, between Dunaverty Bay and Carskey in Kintyre, has two footprints carved at a place where St. Columba is reputed to have first set foot in [[Dál Riata]], Scotland. One is recent and the other genuinely old. Kingship rituals may have been connected with this [[petrosomatoglyph]].
}}

==Associated peerage titles==

*[[Robert Stuart, Duke of Kintyre|Duke of Kintyre]] (extinct)
*[[Duke of Argyll|Marquess of Kintyre and Lorne]] (subsidiary title of the Duke of Argyll)

==Test==
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2025}}
The [[Mull of Kintyre test]] is, according to an [[urban legend]], an unofficial guideline to classify erections in film and TV by the [[British Board of Film Classification]] for the [[censorship]] of [[pornography|adult films and images]].

==See also==

* [[Kildonald Bay]]
* [[Kintyre Way]]

==Related songs==

* The best known of these is [[Paul McCartney]]'s 1977 track "[[Mull of Kintyre (song)|Mull of Kintyre]]", performed by [[Paul McCartney and Wings|Wings]]. The song was written in tribute to the picturesque peninsula, where McCartney has owned High Park Farm since 1966, and its headland or Mull of Kintyre. The song was Wings' biggest hit in the United Kingdom where it became Christmas number one, and was the first single to sell over two million copies in the United Kingdom.

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{oscoor gbx|NR 73783 28749}}

* [http://www.visitkintyre.info VisitKintyre.info - Web Site including webcam, accommodation, news, photo galleries etc]
* [https://www.easyways.com/walking-holidays/kintyre-way/ EasyWays - walking holiday and guided walk round Kintyre]
* [https://www.wildaboutargyll.co.uk/destinations/kintyre-and-gigha/ Explore Kintyre & Gigha] - official Marketing Organisation for Kintyre & Gigha

{{Scottish provinces|major}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kintyre| ]]
[[Category:Peninsulas of Scotland]]
[[Category:Landforms of Argyll and Bute]]
[[Category:Firth of Clyde]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in Scotland]]