Campbeltown itself is dominated by the famous Loch and its working harbour. Visitors can while away some time just taking in the busy scene at the pier. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Lifeboat and RNLI shop, and the Tourist Information Centre, both on the pier.

Nearby, past the Town Cross in its pleasant garden, is the Art Deco Cinema, built c1913, and universally known as 'The Wee Picture House'. This is the oldest working cinema in Scotland. Click here for the viewings.

The Heritage Centre, on the route to Machrihanish, provides a very interesting and graphic representation of past life in the town, as well as information on local geology and wildlife. In the summer season, the Owl Centre (on the same road) is a must-see, as is the newly opened Aqualibrium (all year), which combines 25m swimming pool with well-stocked gym and Library. The varied shops and impressive architecture of the town make for an enjoyable stroll.

Both Campbeltown and the Kintyre Peninsula have much to offer, whether your choice is simply to admire the scenery and enjoy the scrumptious food, or perhaps you are keen to participate in some of the exciting leisure pursuits on offer...

Golf
Kintyre is a quiet haven for golf enthusiasts. A championship course that is not absolutely mobbed with visitors? Look no farther than ten minutes from the hotel! Machrihanish: a renowned links course with, reputedly, the world's finest first hole, a drive across the Atlantic Ocean....You may even lose your ball to a seal! Residents of the hotel benefit from a 10% discount on Green Fees. www.machgolf.com

A new links course, Machrihanish Dunes, is almost complete - to the North of the existing course. This, the first links course to be built on the West Coast of Scotland for a hundred years, has been designed by David McLay Kidd, who was responsible for the new Castle Course at St Andrews, as well as Bandon Dunes in Oregon, which is ranked in the top 40 courses in the world. Opening is anticipated in October - see www.thewaygolfbegan.com.

Across the Mull of Kintyre, a mere 15 minutes from the Hotel, lies Dunaverty, a peaceful natural links course with panoramic views of Sanda Island, Ailsa Craig and the Northern Irish coastline. This course offers the golfer a testing challenge, with ample opportunity to spot wildlife, such as sea otter and other flora and fauna. www.dunavertygolfclub.com

Farther afield, Carradale, North East of Cambeltown, is a nine hole course, offering the golfer everything from a challenge to a scenic feast for the eyes. SSS 64, the short course is very welcoming to children, it being possible for the whole family to play together. However, watch your ball – as there are wild goats on this course! www.carradalegolfclub.co.uk

Tarbert Golf Club, at the neck of the peninsula, is another scenic nine hole parkland and woodland course, with some testing holes. Known as 'The Dookers' by Campbeltonians, due to its low-lying holes being prone to flooding! The views over West Loch Tarbert are spectacular. Tel: (01880) 820565

Accessible by nearby ferry, the islands of Gigha, Islay and Arran all have golf courses to enjoy.

• Gigha boasts a nine hole course, par 65, for only £15 per day ticket. (01586 505242)
• Islay has the more challenging Machrie Golf Links, a classic natural links course completed in 1891. (01496 302404)
• On Arran, there are seven courses, all with different characteristics:
  • Lochranza Golf Club (01770 830 273)
  • Lamlash GC (01770 600 296)
  • Machrie Bay GC (01770 840 213)
  • Shiskine G&TC (01770 860 226)
  • Whiting Bay GC (01770 700 775)
  • Brodick GC (01770 302 394)
  • Corrie GC (01770 810 223)

For the youngsters, or those still learning, there is a pitch and putt course on the Esplanade, on the opposite side of Campbeltown Loch to the hotel!

Whisky
Campbeltown is a must-visit for the whisky enthusiast, being one of the four major production areas, the others being Highland, Lowland and Islay. Each region's characteristics are captured from the soil through which the spring water flows, before being transformed into the water of life – Uisge Beatha.

Springbank, run by J&A Mitchell and Co Ltd , through descendants of the original owners, is one of only three survivors of a reputed 34 distilleries producing in the town in the 1900s. Single Malt brands include Springbank 10 and 15 year olds, Longrow (in honour of the former Distillery opposite) and Hazelburn, as well as many other malt expressions and a variety of blends under the banner - Campbeltown Loch. Springbank Distillery is unique in many respects, controlling all aspects of the production process on the one site. However, Mitchell's, as well as being the owners of the oldest Distillery in Campbeltown, are now also responsible for the newest, after having re-opened the Old Glengyle Distillery, on its original site, in March 2004. The first bottling of the new single malt Kilkerran is expected in 2014.

Springbank welcomes visitors by appointment. Contact www.springbankdistillers.com to discover more about the Springbank Society, distillery visits and more...

Glen Scotia is the third Campbeltown Distillery, owned by Loch Lomond Distillery, it is reputedly haunted at night by the spectre of a previous owner who drowned himself in Cambeltown Loch. There are a number of expressions of the Glen Scotia single malt brand, with rumours of an interesting new heavily-peated version quietly maturing.

Walking The newly completed Kintyre Way offers an opportunity to explore the Kintyre Peninsula from coast to coast and North to South for a total of some 103 miles. Newly created paths, many from areas previously closed to the public, offer everything from a gentle ramble to a serious hike or hillwalk. See www.kintyreway.com

Davaar Island can be reached at low water by a shingle causeway called the Doirlinn. Tide times can be checked at the hotel or Tourist Information Centre. Suitable footwear should be worn, as the rocky island is not sandal-friendly! A traverse across the rocks to the seventh cave will reveal a cave painting of the Crucifixion, painted by local teacher Archibald MacKinnon in 1887, following directions in a dream. Davaar is also noted for its herd of wild goats, and a lighthouse protecting the shipping lane to the North.

Mull of Kintyre Run - MoKRun
The Mull of Kintyre Half Marathon and 10K runs are held annually in May, this year it's Sunday 25th May see www.mokrun.com. The 10K race is mainly very flat and is held around Campbeltown Loch, while the half marathon goes farther afield, taking in a kilometre of the sandy Westport Beach – home to the rolling Atlantic surf. In 2006, around 300 people from all over the UK participated, in 2007 the field increased to 500, and this year - due to public demand, there are 600 people participating. Those runners who have stayed here have nothing but compliments for the organisation and stewarding, and the beauty of the course. They also like the porridge here!!

There are opportunities to run for charity, and other convivial events take place over the weekend, such as a pasta party and a Ceilidh. One runner's favoured memory was the lone piper at the head of the beach!

Running / jogging for pleasure
A number of suitable routes for running / jogging exist around the hotel. Some examples are:

• Route 1 - from the hotel to MacCringan's Point, opposite Davaar Island;
• Route 2 - circling Campbeltown Loch and return;
• Route 3 - stretches along the High Street, then around past the Co-op and Tesco, across Kinloch Green and back.

The town and surrounding area offer many other opportunities for running, with miles of white sandy beaches to choose from.

Cycling / Mountain Biking
The quiet and scenic coastal roads offer the cyclist a peaceful journey from place to place, while there are plenty of 'off-road' opportunities – such as the Trans-Kintyre 12 mile route between Ballochgair and Corputechan. Often the hilly forestry roads provide a challenging cycle route, while some sections of the Kintyre Way are viable for cyclists. Bheinn Ghuilean (the high point opposite the hotel) boasts some interesting and sometimes intimidating routes. New Red and Blue trails have recently been opened on Bheinn Ghuilean. Blue is for the less proficient  cyclist, and offers super views over the Loch and Davaar Island, while the Red Trail is steeper and more suitable for the intrepid off-roader. Click here for trails.

Horse Riding / Pony Trekking
The unspoilt countryside, woodland trails and quiet roads and beaches of Kintyre offer boundless opportunities for horse riding or pony trekking. Visitors can try their hand at beach trekking, on one of Claire Peters' eight cob type horses, at nearby Crosshill Training and Trekking in Peninver. Contact Claire on 01586 551791.

Alternatively, Ileene Duncan at Highland Horse Riding, Tarbert, offers her Highland Ponies for hacking and trekking over open hills, native woodland and farm tracks. 1:1 or small groups only; Min age 8 years; open seasonally Easter to end October. Contact tel: 01880 820583/820333. www.highlandhorseriding.com

Fishing
Fly Fishing is good sport on either Loch or river in Kintyre. For those of you who are hooked (sorry!) why not try for Brown Trout at Lochs Auchalochy and Ruan, Rainbow Trout at Lussa Loch, or Pike (any legal method), which has now been introduced at Crosshill Loch, to the detriment of the Brown Trout. The Conieglen River is fly only, except when the river is in spate. Anglers have a good chance of Salmon or Sea Trout, particularly after rain. Permits are available from Kintyre Angling Club (email flyfishing.inkintyre@ukonline.co.uk)

Salmon and Sea Trout also inhabit the Carradale River, to the North East of Craigard. Details and Permit prices on request from Semple's Garage in Carradale, Tel: 01583 431 209.

Sailing
The sheltered bay of Campbeltown Loch offers a haven for yachtsmen. With many facilities available, including pier and pontoon in the harbour, or mooring beside the Craigard House Hotel to choose from, there is no excuse to bypass this vibrant seafaring centre. Visitors to Campbeltown are in an ideal position to make onward journeys to Rathlin Island and the Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland; the Southern Hebridean Islands of Cara, Gigha, Islay, Jura and Colonsay, and, not for the faint-hearted, perhaps negotiate the infamous Corryvreckan. The picturesque Crinan Canal links the Atlantic Ocean with Loch Gilp at the head of Loch Fyne.

To the East of Campbeltown, The Kilbrannan Sound and The Firth of Clyde offer the options of cruises to Arran, Bute, and The Cumbraes in addition to the Mainland.

Shooting Game and rough shooting, duck flighting, deer stalking and clay pigeon shooting are available locally by arrangement, at Killean Estate, by Tayinloan. Contact Helen Baker - www.killeanestate.com

Surfing
Both Westport beach and Machrihanish offer exceptional surfing opportunities – those Atlantic rollers again - with Southend beach also coming into its own - for learners, and in certain wind / weather conditions.

There is a new mecca in Campbeltown for surfers and watersports enthusiasts - Breaks Surf Shop at 23 Longrow offers board, wetsuit and mountain bike hire, as well as stocking a fine range of windsurf kit, spares, boards and clothing.
See www.breakssurfshop.com

Windsurfing
Windsurfing takes place in various places around the coast of Kintyre, particularly Westport and Machrihanish if conditions are favourable, with Campbeltown Loch offering a wide and sheltered bay, close to the hotel.

Scuba Diving
Loch Fyne Dive Charters, based in Tarbert, caters for diving parties in the unspoilt waters of Loch Fyne, and also pleasure and educational trips as far as Arran and Bute. Contact Malcolm Goodchild. www.fyne-diving.co.uk

Ornithology and Wildlife
The coastline around Campbeltown abounds with Oystercatchers and Herons, while wintering ducks and waders are a common sight, as are the Arctic and Common Tern.  Other seabirds, and wildlife in general,  can be viewed from the Machrihanish Seabird Observatory at Usead Point, where 'digiscoping', with a high magnification digital camera attached to a telescope, can bring within range the most rare visitors to our shores. Recent sightings have included a King Eider, click here. The nearby Gauldrons offer a fine coastal walk and vantage points for all sorts of wildlife.

There is an excellent chance of spotting basking seals in the small bay beyond the Golf Course at Machrihanish. You may even be lucky enough to spot an elusive sea otter.

Sanda Island Bird Observatory is noted for its colonies of Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel, Guillemots, Razorbill, Puffin, Shag and Gulls. The trip to the island is an enjoyable adventure in itself, and the Byron Darnton Tavern will quench your thirst.   Boat trips are available, see www.sanda-island.co.uk