Skipness Castle

The Skipness Castle walk takes you on a journey of discovery through a remarkably well-preserved 13th-century castle located on the east coast of the Kintyre Peninsula. This accessible route combines history and coastal landscapes: you can explore the castle's rooms, climb the tower for breathtaking views of the Isle of Arran, visit the medieval Chapel of St. Brendan which is ideally located by the sea, before reaching the peaceful beach at Skipness Point. It's an ideal outing that combines architectural heritage and Scottish wilderness.

Remarks

Access: Free parking is available at the castle at the end of the B8001 road.

Nearby: Don't miss the Skipness Seafood Cabin (seasonal opening), where you can enjoy fresh seafood in an enchanting setting facing the castle and Arran.

Difficulties and description of the hike

This walk is very easy. The route begins with a short section on the road and then follows a well-defined trail to Skipness Point. The terrain is mostly flat, with only 50 meters of elevation gain over the entire route.

What you'll love

  • Free exploration of the beautifully preserved Skipness Castle, with the opportunity to climb the tower to enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
  • Discover St Brendan's Chapel (also known as Kilbrannan), a 13th-century building located by the sea, home to remarkable medieval carved gravestones.
  • The peaceful atmosphere of Skipness Point and its beach, where you can watch cormorants and seagulls, with the silhouette of the Isle of Arran in the background.

Hike technical sheet

Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: Very easyiDifficulty levels explained here:
➡️ Hiking parameters
Average duration: 1 h 30 miFind out how we calculate the duration here:
➡️ Hiking parameters
Length: 2.9 km
Type of route: Out and back
Elevation gain: 50 m
Maximum altitude: 20 m
Vertiginous: NoiVertiginous levels explained here:
➡️ Hiking parameters
Marked: No
Popularity: Low
Region: Isle of Arran
Start point: 55.76903, -5.34388
Skipness Castle