Guide to Argyll

It is characterized by jagged peninsulas stretching towards the coasts of Northern Ireland, such as the index finger-shaped Kintyre, and the abundance of wide and branching fjords, like the Firth of Clyde, which reaches the Argyll Forest Park reserve. One of the main centers is Oban, a convenient embarkation base for the islands and a lively town, with Victorian hotels along the harbor line and pleasant nightlife spots, where in summer, music lasts until late. The only discordant note comes from McCaig’s Tower, on the hill overlooking the town, a sort of circular arena that mimics the Colosseum and which tourists do not expect. Tarbert is instead the focal point of Kintyre; ferries to the islands of Jura and Islay depart from its lively harbor. Meanwhile, Mull of Kintyre represents the end of the peninsula, watched over by a large lighthouse built in 1788 and refurbished by Robert Stevenson, grandfather of the writer Robert Louis.