A Walk to Davaar Island

To the east of Campbeltown, at the entrance to Campbeltown Loch, is Davaar Island which is connected to the mainland by a causeway, known as the Doirlinn. Every day there is a chance to walk over to the island and return within the space of 6 hours – 3 hours either side of low tide. The safe times are available at the Tourist Information office in Campbeltown itself and it is always advisable to check as they are different each day. We were lucky enough to have good weather on the Wednesday of our holiday last year to visit the island.

To reach the causeway, take the road from Campbeltown along the southern side of the loch. Once past the NATO jetty there is a parking area at the side of the road and a gate there allows access to the beach. The best route is to follow the rocks on the Campbeltown side of the causeway as the sand in this area can be treacherous – of course not everyone follows this route as it’s shorter to cut across the sand!

Once on the island we headed south along the path which leads to the base of the cliff overlooking Kildalloig Bay, which lies between the island and the mainland. There are a number of caves in the cliff and in one of these is a painting of the crucifix. However, this nice path runs out and the rest of the route to the cave is across many boulders which slows most people down! I suppose that gives you the chance to look around with Ailsa Craig visible to the south and the Kintyre peninsula across the small bay!

Eventually the cave is reached - a wooden cross has been erected outside to identify its location, although some people still go in the wrong way and end up standing under the painting instead of looking over to it! Definitely a trip worth making as the painting is stunning. The artist was Archibald MacKinnon, a local art school teacher, although this was discovered much later as he painted it in secret. The cave itself has been filled with small crosses and other items making it a shrine of sorts.

Now its time to head back towards the north of the island – across the same boulders to reach the path we were on earlier. No doubt it is possible to get right round the island itself, but that may involve some climbing and having youngsters (and some old people) with us it’s not an option. I fully intend to stick with that excuse as well!

Eventually the path and firmer ground underfoot is reached, which makes the journey north much easier. Then the Doirlinn comes into view and a turn to the left, heading west towards Campbeltown, would lead back to the mainland. However, there is more to see on and from this small island, so instead of turning left we turn right instead and follow the path as it slowly climbs up the northern side of the island to the lighthouse, which was built in 1854 by brothers David and Thomas Stevenson – the former being the father of the more famous Robert Louis Stevenson. Apparently the lighthouse was built on the mainland first using numbered bricks which were then brought over to the island!

The other buildings at the northern end of the island were sold by the Northern Lighthouse Board and are now used as holiday cottages as the lighthouse has been automated since 1983. From this point of the island, Arran is visible to the northeast on a clear day. The mainland is also a short walk to the west – and with the 6 hour time limit on the island in mind it would soon be time to head in that direction!

Contributed by Linda from Scotland from the Roadside