Traveling to Tarbert, Kintyre, Argyll

Where is Tarbert?

Tarbert, Ardrishaig and Lochgilphead are all located within 18 miles of each other at the shores of Loch Fyne, one of the most beautiful lochs at the West Coast of Scotland - the home of crystal clear lochs, lush green vegetation and exceptionally warm weather in summer which also brings in swarms of midges, but that's another story!

First thing you should remember, there is more than one Tarbert (There is one in Ireland, another in Harris, one Tarbert loch in Jura and yet another near Inverness. The one you are looking for is located in Kintyre, Argyll.

If you have GPS, you can find Tarbert at coordinates 55.52 North, 5.26 West. It's 102 miles from Cathedral Street, Glasgow; or 38 miles from Campbeltown. It's located at the A83 which snakes through the lush green, low mountainous range which surrounds the beautiful, natural harbour that you will ever see in Scotland.

How to Go There?

By road is the best way to get over here to Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig or Tarbert. The journey will take you through some of the most spectacular views in Scotland. You will drive along the banks of Loch Lomond and Loch Fyne, and pass through the famous Rest and be Thankful pass. You can travel by Coach from Glasgow's Buchanan Bus Stop. City Link operates three times a day (Monday to Saturday) and twice on Sundays. The starting times are approximately 0900, 1330 and 1800 hours. The starting times change during Summer and Winter, therefore you are advised to check the times at www.citylink.co.uk It costs £18.20 (October, 2005) for an adult return fare. There is also a Coach service from Oban.

Flying to Tarbert?

You can fly from Glasgow to Campbeltown; there is twice daily Air Service operated by Loganair, and then take a Coach or Taxi back to Tarbert. The air fare is approximately £80.

Sailing to Tarbert?

Probably you wouldn't be coming to Tarbert by sea, however if you have time to spare, if its a fine summer day and if you are adventurous by nature then you might like to come to Tarbert by Road and Ferry. From Glasgow you take the M8 (which becomes A8) to drive to Greenock, now take the A770 to Gourock where you take the ferry to Dunoon. Ferry starts at 0620, every hour thereafter until 2020 and it takes only 20 minutes to cross over to Dunoon. Day Saver fare is only £21.85. Once in Dunoon you can drive along A815 to Strachur where you take A886 to Glendaruel and then the A8003 to Tighnabruaich and then on to Portavadie. (Or from Dunoon take the A815 and then B836 to Stronafian and Glendaruel and then continue as above to Portavadie). Take a ferry from Portavadie (every hour from 0945 to 1945, day saver costing £32.00) to Tarbert. Once in Tarbert, you might like to visit some of the beautiful islands around here. There are several local ferry services, details of which you can find on the Local Info page.

Useful Contact Numbers:

West Coast Motors: Telephone 01586 552319.

Citylink: Telephone 0870 550 5050.

Glenfyne Taxi Company, 11 Upper Glenfyne Park, Ardrishaig, Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA30 8HH. Local and Long Distance, Airport Runs, Business Contracts. Telephone: 01546 603823 or 07850 645671.

Hendersons Taxi and Coach Hire: Kintyre Place, Tarbert, Argyll, PA29 6UL. Car, Coach Airport Transfers, Private Hire. Telephone: 01880 820220, Fax: 01880 821100.

Caledonian MacBrayne: View their web site.

Argyll & Bute Council: operates the ferry between Islay and Jura.

Western Ferries: Operate from Dunoon to the mainland.