Muasdale

Fancy a challenge? How about heading down a seeming road to nowhere in search of Kintyre, a place that truly encapsulates the phrase ‘out on a limb’?

Getting anywhere near Kintyre is a long and arduous undertaking, involving a route around the shores of both Loch Lomond and Loch Fyne. You could try crossing the two lochs aboard a ferry - It may not be any quicker, but it is more relaxed and even feels a little exotic.

But is Kintyre really worth all that travel time?

Well, rest assured that the doubts that may have plagued you along the way, despite all the glorious scenes en route, are bound to evaporate from even the grumpiest of souls on reaching this very special place. Perching on not-so-towering cliffs that measure just over a metre in height, Muasdale Holiday Park sits directly above the purest white sands. The calm waters that reside in this bay are so sheltered that, despite the campsite’s proximity to the water’s edge, there’s no danger of sharing your sleeping bag with the sea.

The beach itself is exceedingly beautiful and the water is (we’re assured) warm enough for extended bathing – but what really stole the hearts and minds of the Cool Camping rabble was the view over the water to the islands of Islay and Jura. It wouldn’t be out of the question to simply sit here with a good book for a whole week, occasionally glancing around to confirm you’ve won big in the lottery of life.

The campsite – part of the tiny straggling village of Muasdale, which has retained an air of genuine everyday life about it as tourism is yet to trouble these parts – takes up a slither of well-drained, midge-free ground between a main road and the sea; and with no more than 15 pitches available, it’s rather small. The official Cool Camping inspection took place over the school holidays, but the place wasn’t full, nor did the road prove noisy at night, even though we slept right next to it.

Should you finish your book, hole your canoe, break your bucket and spade or lose your Speedos, it’s worth popping your derrière on to a bike saddle, as the mainly flat road on the western side of Kintyre is made for two wheelers. The ferry to the small island of Gigha is a four-mile pedal; or, to present your thighs with a real challenge, cycle the amazingly scenic road on the eastern side of the peninsula. Surf dudes and chicks can find some serious waves at Machrihanish Bay. Another great day out can be had at a distillery tour on Islay, where some of the finest malts in the world are produced. If you do take your bike over, stick to the east of the island and enjoy the wildly impressive sights of Jura as you pedal.

On the other hand, that might be one challenge too many, so maybe just sit back, relax and open another book.