Mull of Kintyre

The Mull of Kintyre is the tip of a long Scottish peninsula, visible from Ballycastle and Fair Head on a clear day — at its closest, only around 12 miles of water separate it from the Antrim coast, making this the shortest crossing between Ireland and Scotland.

The Kintyre Express runs a seasonal passenger ferry from Ballycastle to Campbeltown, just on the far side of the Mull, typically April to September — about 90 minutes each way. It’s a relaxing crossing even in poor weather, and Campbeltown itself is a small town not unlike Ballycastle, with a few cosy hotels worth a stop. From there, the coast road north along the east side of the peninsula is slow but scenic — good for cyclists — with views across to Ailsa Craig, an island of solid granite.

The Mull is also, famously, the home and inspiration of Sir Paul McCartney’s song “Mull of Kintyre.”