Ferries
A regular train service operates between Gourock and Glasgow. From Gourock you can get the ferry which plies back and forth to Dunoon on the Cowal Peninsula. You have a choice of Caledonian Macbrayne or Western Ferries on this route. The CalMac ferry terminal is adjacent to the train station. The Western Ferries terminal is slightly further on - at McInroy's Point. No vehicle reservations are required on either ferry.
From Cowal you can then get the Calmac ferry from Portavadie across Loch Fyne to Tarbert on the Kintyre peninsula.

From Kintyre, you can take CalMac ferries from Kennacraig to Islay, from Claonaig to Arran, from Tayinloan to Gigha.

From late April to September Caledonian Macbrayne operates a summer ferry service from Ardrossan (Ayrshire) to Campbeltown.

Amenities in Tarbert include B&Bs, hotels with restaurants, general stores, post office, bank. The Loch Fyne Gallery near the tourist office on the main street is a great place for books, cards, prints, gifts, etc.

Craft shop and Loch Fyne Gallery photos copyright The Internet Guide to Scotland

You will see plenty of fishing boats and also a lot of yachts, particularly when races are taking place such as the Scottish Sailing Series when Tarbert is full to capacity.

Just outside of the town to the south is the heritage centre of An Tairbeart (tel: 01880 821 212) where you will also find a coffee shop, crafts and gallery (open for the summer, closed in winter).

Continuing south out of Tarbert you will come to Kennacraig which is the ferry terminal for the Isle of Islay. There is a ferry office, toilets and car park. Day trips are possible depending on the ferry timetables.
Near here you can take the small B8001 road across country to Claonaig which is the ferry terminal for the Isle of Arran. Please note there is no ferry office at Claonaig (only toilets) but you can easily buy your ticket on the ferry when it arrives.
Along the coast from Claonaig is Skipness Castle (a ruin in the care of Historic Environment Scotland) which is worth the detour if you have time. The nearby chapel with its ancient carved tombstones can also be visited.

Two miles outside Tarbert to the north is Stonefield Castle Hotel. You don't have to stay there to enjoy a meal in the bar or restaurant, or explore the gardens which go down to the shores of Loch Fyne. Built in 1837, it is set in 60 acres of woodland gardens with a fine collection of Himalayan Rhododendrons which are free to explore.

• Ronachan Point where you can often spot seals and see across the sea to the hills of the Isle of Jura and Gigha.

• Tayinloan is the Calmac ferry point for the Isle of Gigha - well worth a day trip. The island has various historic sites to visit, beautiful views, hotel, general store and the well known Achamore Gardens. These 50 acres of beautiful woodland gardens including exotic plants and trees, walled garden and greenhouses are open all year. Tel: 01583 505254. Established in 1944 by Sir James Horlick, then owner of the island who was a keen gardener and plantsman, with a particular interest in rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. The gardens are now owned and managed by the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust on behalf of the islanders.
  More information and photos can be found on the Isle of Gigha community web site and Gigha page of southernhebrides.com

• Glenbarr Abbey - although not actually an abbey - it is in fact a large historic 18th century house which is open to the public for guided tours by the laird from Easter to mid October (closed Tuesdays). It is also home to the MacAlister Clan Visitors Centre. Tel: 01583 421247

• The historic Royal Burgh of Campbeltown is a large town with a population of over 5,500 and many shops and facilities including an airport (thanks to its wartime past). Visitor attractions include the heritage centre in a church, museum & library, leisure centre with swimming pool, tourist information office, the famous art nouveau Wee Picture House, Linda McCartney’s Memorial Garden and the Campbeltown Cross. Once known as the Whisky Capital of the World thanks to its 34 distilleries, today it has just a few left including Springbank (tel: 01586 552085 for tours). Boat trips operate to Davaar Island which has a cave painting of the Crucifixion.

• Machrihanish - huge beach and famous golf course.

• Mull of Kintyre - made famous by Paul McCartney's song.

• Saddell Abbey - historic ruins with carved grave slabs on the east coast of Kintyre.

• Torrisdale Castle - organic tannery and crafty sheep shop open to visitors.

• Carradale - pretty village with harbour, golf course, heritage centre with exhibitions, tearoom and shop.

From Ronachan looking towards Gigha
Photo copyright The Internet Guide to Scotland

Achamore House & Gardens
Photo copyright The Internet Guide to Scotland

Davaar Island from Campbeltown
Photo copyright 2009 The Internet Guide to Scotland

Useful local maps from the Ordnance Survey include:
Kintyre North (Explorer scale)
Kintyre South (Explorer scale)
North Kintyre and Tarbert (Landranger scale)
South Kintyre and Campbeltown (Landranger scale)