What’s on in and around Carradale?
With its pristine natural setting, unique coastal character and history, you ‘ll have an abundance of things to do in Argyll. Dine on the freshest seafood and savour some of the world’s most famous Scotch whiskies and Kintyre Gin. Marvel at the region’s magnificent birdlife and the sight of a magnificent sea eagle, an elusive corncrake or a thousand-strong flock of barnacle geese. Sail into secluded harbours and beaches and watch the night sky glitter. Kayak in turquoise waters and walk in the many forest walk and The Kintyre Way or cycle this stunning area on The Caledonia Way. Marvel at early standing stones and visit castles of the famous clans. You’ll be spoilt for choice in this glorious region.
Kintyre is also home to the iconic song ’Mull of Kintyre’ by Paul McCartney, famous cycle trails, spectacular dive sites, unbeatable sailing waters, superb beaches and distilleries.
“Carradales” lets you experience all this in luxurious comfort in a stunning location within close proximity to Campbeltown.
Gintyre
12th – 14th April
Gintyre will be celebration of Scottish gin held over three days in Campbeltown, Kintyre.
Carradale Music Festival
19th – 20th April
After a very successful debut year, this event has become an annual event. Carradale Music Festival returns on 19th April 2109!
There will be a lot of new acts but also familiar acts such as Trail West and Heron Valley, who headline the Friday & Saturday Nights of the festival.
Live Music across two stages, a wonderful Food Vendor and a wide variety of Local Stalls / Attractions… CMF2019 is sure not to be missed!
Tickets available here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carradale-music-festival…/amp
Why not really make a real occasion and stay in style at Carradales Luxury Guest House.
CAMPBELTOWN – Kintyre Songwriters Festival
3rd – 5th May
The festival which was founded in 2008 aims to showcase and promote the song writing and musical talent in Kintyre. It also aims to encourage a new generation of local songwriters and musicians, by means of donations to local musical groups/organisations and the presentation of an annual memorial quaiche at Campbeltown Grammar School for original material.
MACHRIHANISH – End of the World – Cycling Tournament
4th – 5th May
The first event End of the World Cycling Tournament takes place as MACC Base on May 4th & 5th. The event is organised by Kintyre Wheelers Cycling Club and it is hoped to include a 10 mile time trial, a two-up time trial and a six hour endurance event.
The Kintyre Way Ultra
11th May
The Kintyre Way Ultra was first run in 2007, from Tarbert to Campbeltown.
2019 there is a new version which is 32 miles long.
Instead of Tayinloan to Campbeltown as in recent years, runners will be tackling the 32 mile northern part of the Kintyre Way, beginning at Tayinloan and finishing in Tarbert. There will, as always, be a three-stage relay option.
The race will take place on Saturday 11th May 2019. Carradales makes a fine base for this event!
Campbeltown Malts Festival 2019
21st – 24th May
The Campbeltown Malts Festival is a three-day celebration of Campbeltown’s whiskies – Springbank, Glengyle and Glen Scotia. Expect distillery tours, masterclasses, local craft stalls, live music, special bottlings and much more in various venues in and around Campbeltown.
Carradales is fully licensed and has serves these well know whiskies.
Mull of Kintyre Half marathon and 10k Race (MOK Run)
25th – 26th May
MOKRUN was established 2006 in Campbeltown which is located close to the beautiful Mull of Kintyre. It has been voted by Runners World as the UK’s top race and normally sells out within days of the entry date. The race has grown in popularity over the 8 years due to its picturesque location, fantastic atmosphere as well as the post-race celebrations of Danish pastries and ceilidh dancing!
TARBERT – Scottish Series Regatta 2019
24th – 27th May
The Scottish Series is a fantastic weekend of yacht racing in Tarbert, Loch Fyne. Organised by the Clyde Cruising Club, it takes places annually on the second bank holiday of May. The racing yachts are a great spectacle to watch from shore. Carradales Luxury Guest House is 30 minutes away! The event began through enthusiastic sailors, in 1975, wanting to race their boats combining challenge with enjoyment. Passage racing combined with Olympic triangles created variation and something for everyone. This is still the vision today. The village of Tarbert has welcomed the event since 1977, offering a sheltered anchorage and plenty of bars to exchange tales after a day at sea! Onshore entertainments and good craic, influenced by the Irish contingency, has become as much a part of the event as the sailing.
A warm welcome awaits you at Carradales.
CAMPBELTOWN – Tide Lines • UK TOUR 2019 • Campbeltown
15th June
UK TOUR 2019! TIDE LINES In the Summer of 2016, four men in their twenties, all from different corners of the Highlands, crossed paths in the vibrant Glasgow music scene. Drawing from a myriad of influences, spanning from their native Gaelic culture to classic American song writers, they soon penned a host of original songs and some dynamic bagpipe sets. Within no time, the unique folk/pop sound of Tide Lines was born.
Gigha Music Festival
28th – 29th June
The fabulous Isle of Gigha Music Festival is held each year at the end of June. This small festival offers a perfectly-formed line-up of ceilidhs, headline concerts, sessions, workshops and a musical beach picnic – all on the beautiful Isle of Gigha on Scotland’s West Coast. The Isle of Gigha Music Festival takes place over the last weekend in June every year. During Saturday they run a number of sessions and open mikes, put on a raft of music and poetry workshops, and hold a Gigha crafts fair. There is a late afternoon barbecue at The Boathouse followed by their headline evening concert. They welcome musicians of all abilities to our festival – learn or improve at a workshop, play or sing at a session or open mike. Do bring your instruments with you. There is camping available to all as well as the range of island serviced accommodation and self catering.
Make this part of your exploration, so why not stay at Carradales Luxury Guest House on route or afterwards as we are only 30 minutes away from the ferry.
Tarbert Seafood Festival
6th – 7th July This is a fantastic weekend of seafood, parades, music and fun situated around Tarbert’s stunning natural harbour.
The harbour is lined with a variety of stalls operated by the local businesses. Head to the fisherman’s market to watch cookery demonstrations using the local seafood.
One of the highlights of the event is the crowing of the Seafood Festival Queen and her princesses after she has arrived in Tarbert by sea. This is followed by the festival procession of floats led by the seafood queen and Mid Argyll Pipe Band.
Traditionally Sunday is a great family day out with live music and lots to entertain the kids and adults.
MACHRIHANISH: MACH 1 Stages Rally
13th – 14th July
This event has already become one of the most talked about dates in the rally calendar. The rally takes place on the weekend of July 13th & 14th 2019. The rally is organised by Dunfermline Car Club and event co-ordinator and committee member David Hatrick says his team is determined to ensure they build on the success of last year’s rally, which saw an astonishing 100+ entries, over the last 5 years we have managed to vary the route on each event and 2019 will be no different.
Carradale Harbour Day
20th July
A day of fun and frolics with a pirate theme at Carradale Harbour on Kintyre. There will also be a fun dog show, bar, BBQ, craft stalls, home baking and more.
Southend Highland Games
20th July
Traditional Highland Games with piping, Highland dancing and a host of other events and activities. Community Playing Field, Southend.
Tarbert Traditional Boat Festival
20th – 21st July
Last year attracted some 30 traditional boats from across Scotland and Ireland and an exciting programme, the event attracted a huge number of delighted visitors from across Kintyre and Mid-Argyll, as well as a large number of additional visiting boats. This was the re-launch of Tarbert’s traditional boat festival and will certainly not be the last. With all traditional boats being visible from the new main pontoon, villagers and visitors can enjoy the spectacle from the walkway around the harbour.
Gigha Raft Race
27th July
The fun-filled day that is the Gigha Raft Race is always a family favourite, why not test your raft making and stamina skills…fancy dress is always welcome! The race is organised by the Boathouse Restaurant. Further details will be posted once available.
CAMPBELTOWN – The Kintyre Agricultural Show 2019
2nd August | Gates open 8.00am
The Kintyre Agricultural Show has been going for over 150 years and offers a superb day of entertainment for everyone. Taking place in Anderston Park, Campbeltown, it features judging of sheep and cows, a pipe band, tug-o-war, dog show and a selection of rare breeds. The date for this event is provisional and has still to be confirmed.
Clachan Art Show
16th – 17th August
Clachan Art Show has been held in Clachan Village Hall for 40+ years. They do not charge and entry fee and they accept all types of artwork, including sculpture, photography, floral art, and different craft items, and exhibit everything that comes their way. Any profit is now given to the Clachan Hall Re-Development Fund.
CAMPBELTOWN – Mull of Kintyre Music Festival
21st – 25th August
See a mix of traditional and contemporary Scottish and Irish music in various venues in Campbeltown, Kintyre, at this friendly festival in a stunning location. With 7 ticketed concerts and various free open air events accross the weekend, it’s a real musical adventure. The festival attracts big names in the music industry, with past headliners include The Fratellis, The Time Frequency, The View, The Saw Doctors, Deacon Blue, Capercaillie, Idlewild, Ally Bain & Phil Cunningham, Peatbog Faeries, Red Hot Chilli Pipers and the Stranglers. Now in it’s 27th year the MOK Fest has big plans yet again for 2019 with some major bands already booked. If you fancy an adventure this is the event for you.
Glen Scotia Marathon
7th September
A marathon and Relay race starting and finishing in Campbeltown, sponsored by Glen Scotia Distillery. 2019 event will take place Saturday 7th September
Tarbert Music Festival 2019
20th – 22nd September
A fantastic weekend of live music in the hotels and bars in the fishing village of Tarbert in Kintyre, Argyll. The event has been running since 1988 and is held during September just when the nights are starting to draw in. This is a great Festival if you are looking for something to look forward to as autumn approaches.
CAMPBELTOWN – SCOFF 2019
15th – 17th November
Campbeltown Picture House’s annual Scottish Comedy Film Festival. A weekend of live comedy, funny films and workshops.
CAMPBELTOWN – Christmas Lights Switch On
29th November 2019
Celebrate the “Switch-On” of the Campbeltown Christmas Lights Switch On. In 2018 we had a Ceilidh in Burnside Square, late night shopping, live bands, singing, dancing, street entertainment, amusements & Santa’s Grotto… we’re looking forward to plans for the 2019 event
Campbeltown Christmas Market
1st December | 11am – 4pm
This years annual Campbeltown Christmas Market takes place on Dec 1st 2019. The excellent annual event run by Explore Campbeltown from 11am – 4pm in the Malt Barns at Springbank Distillery will complete a fun filled weekend which starts on Friday Nov 29th with the Lights Switch On.
