Carradale
Encyclopedia
Carradale is a picturesque village on the east side of Kintyre
, overlooking the Kilbrannan Sound
and the west coast of the Isle of Arran
, approximately 14 miles from Campbeltown
. To the north of Carradale is the coastal peak known as Torr Mor
; nearby are the hamlet of Dippen
and Dippen Bay
.
In the 17th and 18th centuries there were small communities of crofters
and fishermen working in and around Carradale. The introduction of steam ships transformed Kintyre
and from the 1830s until the Second World War daily steamers went from Campbeltown
to Glasgow
, calling at Carradale.
With the herring
industry thriving, Carradale's first pier
was built in 1858, developing and encouraging the holiday
trade. This situation persisted until the Second World War, with hotels developing and a tradition of families returning year after year. Now this situation is reversing again. Carradale still has a fishing
fleet, - largely dealing in shellfish
. Since the 1950s, forestry
has also played an important part in the village with large scale afforestation taking place.
The novelist and poet
Naomi Mitchison
lived in Carradale House from 1937 until her death in 1999.
via Peninver
, and Saddell
.
Kintyre
Kintyre is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The region stretches approximately 30 miles , from the Mull of Kintyre in the south, to East Loch Tarbert in the north...
, overlooking the Kilbrannan Sound
Kilbrannan Sound
Kilbrannan Sound is a marine water body that separates the Kintyre Peninsula of Scotland from the island of Arran. Kilbrannan Sound is the western arm of the Firth of Clyde.-References:...
and the west coast of the Isle of Arran
Isle of Arran
Arran or the Isle of Arran is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland, and with an area of is the seventh largest Scottish island. It is in the unitary council area of North Ayrshire and the 2001 census had a resident population of 5,058...
, approximately 14 miles from Campbeltown
Campbeltown
Campbeltown is a town and former royal burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies by Campbeltown Loch on the Kintyre peninsula. Originally known as Kinlochkilkerran , it was renamed in the 17th century as Campbell's Town after Archibald Campbell was granted the site in 1667...
. To the north of Carradale is the coastal peak known as Torr Mor
Torr Mor
Torr Mor is a hill peak landform on the coastal east side of the Kintyre Peninsula in Scotland. The peak offers views over the Kilbrannan Sound.-References:...
; nearby are the hamlet of Dippen
Dippen, Argyll and Bute
Dippen is a hamlet on the east coast of the Kintyre Peninsula in Scotland. The community of Dippen is in close proximity to Dippen Bay. Roads on the east coast of Kintyre were greatly improved in the era circa 1776, when the settlement was known as Duppin.-References:* Taylor and Skinner. 1776....
and Dippen Bay
Dippen Bay
Dippen Bay is an embayment along Kilbrannan Sound on the east coast of the Kintyre Peninsula in Scotland. Coastal erosion has been documented at Dippen Bay as well as nearby Torrisdale Bay. The bay is located along the coast near the hamlet of Dippen....
.
In the 17th and 18th centuries there were small communities of crofters
Croft (land)
A croft is a fenced or enclosed area of land, usually small and arable with a crofter's dwelling thereon. A crofter is one who has tenure and use of the land, typically as a tenant farmer.- Etymology :...
and fishermen working in and around Carradale. The introduction of steam ships transformed Kintyre
Kintyre
Kintyre is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The region stretches approximately 30 miles , from the Mull of Kintyre in the south, to East Loch Tarbert in the north...
and from the 1830s until the Second World War daily steamers went from Campbeltown
Campbeltown
Campbeltown is a town and former royal burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies by Campbeltown Loch on the Kintyre peninsula. Originally known as Kinlochkilkerran , it was renamed in the 17th century as Campbell's Town after Archibald Campbell was granted the site in 1667...
to Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, calling at Carradale.
With the herring
Herring
Herring is an oily fish of the genus Clupea, found in the shallow, temperate waters of the North Pacific and the North Atlantic oceans, including the Baltic Sea. Three species of Clupea are recognized. The main taxa, the Atlantic herring and the Pacific herring may each be divided into subspecies...
industry thriving, Carradale's first pier
Pier
A pier is a raised structure, including bridge and building supports and walkways, over water, typically supported by widely spread piles or pillars...
was built in 1858, developing and encouraging the holiday
Holiday
A Holiday is a day designated as having special significance for which individuals, a government, or a religious group have deemed that observance is warranted. It is generally an official or unofficial observance of religious, national, or cultural significance, often accompanied by celebrations...
trade. This situation persisted until the Second World War, with hotels developing and a tradition of families returning year after year. Now this situation is reversing again. Carradale still has a fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
fleet, - largely dealing in shellfish
Shellfish
Shellfish is a culinary and fisheries term for exoskeleton-bearing aquatic invertebrates used as food, including various species of molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms. Although most kinds of shellfish are harvested from saltwater environments, some kinds are found only in freshwater...
. Since the 1950s, forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
has also played an important part in the village with large scale afforestation taking place.
The novelist and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
Naomi Mitchison
Naomi Mitchison
Naomi May Margaret Mitchison, CBE was a Scottish novelist and poet. She was appointed CBE in 1981; she was also entitled to call herself Lady Mitchison, CBE since 5 October 1964 .- Childhood and family background :Naomi Margaret Haldane was...
lived in Carradale House from 1937 until her death in 1999.
Segments of the village
The village has five main areas:- Carradale Village, situated at a crossroads formed by the junction of the B842 and B879 roads.
- Carradale Bay, site of a large caravan park overlooking a beautiful expanse of white sand.
- Carradale Harbour (and the surrounding area), situated at the end of the B879.
- Port Righ Bay, overlooking a small sheltered beach.
- Waterfoot, at the mouth of the Carradale River.
Transport
The only public transport available to Carradale is a bus service operated by West Coast Motors, to and from CampbeltownCampbeltown
Campbeltown is a town and former royal burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies by Campbeltown Loch on the Kintyre peninsula. Originally known as Kinlochkilkerran , it was renamed in the 17th century as Campbell's Town after Archibald Campbell was granted the site in 1667...
via Peninver
Peninver
Peninver is a small village situated on the east coast of Kintyre, Scotland, close to Campbeltown....
, and Saddell
Saddell
Saddell is a small Scottish village situated on the east side of the Kintyre Peninsula of Argyll and Bute, overlooking the Kilbrannan Sound and the Isle of Arran, 8 miles from Campbeltown on the B842 road to Carradale. The name Saddell is derived from the Norse for sandy dale.-Saddell...
.