Kilcreggan

United_Kingdom

Kilcreggan is a village in Argyll and Bute, on the tip of the Rosneath peninsula. To the east of the peninsula is Gare Loch, west is Loch Long (both narrow but deep fjords), and south is the Firth of Clyde. So it's somewhat isolated by land, but grew up in the 19th century when Clyde steamers linked it to Glasgow, and city merchants began to establish their summer homes and residences here.

Painted Rock

  • Painted rocks: there's a tradition of painting the large glacial boulders along the beach, one example being "Tut-Tut" as it spoofed a pharaoh's head. This tradition is over a century old, as "Para Handy" in Neil Munro's tales of the Clyde Puffers once claimed to have painted several. These artworks come and go as wind and waves scour away the paint and other artists see opportunities. So just look out for examples.
  • Linn Botannical Gardens, Cove G84 0NR (3 miles northwest of Kilcreggan, +44 1436 84 2084. Open all year daily 11:00-17:00. Somewhat overgrown garden in Cove on Loch Long. Adult £5.

Painted rocks: there's a tradition of painting the large glacial boulders along the beach, one example being "Tut-Tut" as it spoofed a pharaoh's head. This tradition is over a century old, as "Para Handy" in Neil Munro's tales of the Clyde Puffers once claimed to have painted several. These artworks come and go as wind and waves scour away the paint and other artists see opportunities. So just look out for examples.

Linn Botannical Gardens, Cove G84 0NR (3 miles northwest of Kilcreggan, +44 1436 84 2084. Open all year daily 11:00-17:00. Somewhat overgrown garden in Cove on Loch Long. Adult £5.

  • Rosneath Peninsula Highland Gathering is held at Rosneath Castle in mid-July. The next event is Sun 19 July 2020.

Rosneath Peninsula Highland Gathering is held at Rosneath Castle in mid-July. The next event is Sun 19 July 2020.

  • The Bank of Scotland opposite the pier is open M Th 10:00-12:00 & 13:30-16:00 and has an ATM.
    The RBS Mobile Bank also parks here every second Tuesday 11:05-11:15.
  • Costcutter convenience store is in Argyle Buildings facing the ferry pier. It's open M-Sa 07:00-18:00, Su 08:00-15:00.
  • There's also Boots pharmacy (M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-13:00) and Kilcreggan Antiques (Th F 10:00-16:00, Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 11:00-16:00).

The Bank of Scotland opposite the pier is open M Th 10:00-12:00 & 13:30-16:00 and has an ATM.

The RBS Mobile Bank also parks here every second Tuesday 11:05-11:15.

Costcutter convenience store is in Argyle Buildings facing the ferry pier. It's open M-Sa 07:00-18:00, Su 08:00-15:00.

There's also Boots pharmacy (M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-13:00) and Kilcreggan Antiques (Th F 10:00-16:00, Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 11:00-16:00).

  • Next to the ferry pier, the Kilcreggan Café is open daily 09:30-17:00.

Next to the ferry pier, the Kilcreggan Café is open daily 09:30-17:00.

Creggans Bar is open daily 12:00-00:00.

  • From Gourock turn east into Glasgow, or south towards Ayr, or take another ferry from Gourock to Dunoon on the Cowal peninsula.
  • With your own transport, drive north through Garelochhead then south to Helensburgh or north to Loch Lomond and the head of Loch Long.