Do you like gin? Do you like holidaying in Scotland? Then head to the ‘Mull of Gintyre’ this April for a fabulous Festival of Scottish Gins on the scenic Kintyre Peninsula. From the 12th to the 14th of April, Campbeltown will host the second annual Gintyre Festival. Here’s our handy guide to making the most of the weekend. Check our past blog on how to get here if you need any help with travel plans.
Paired Gin Dinner – Friday 12th April
Get your tastebuds tingling in preparation for Saturday’s gin tasting with a Gin Tasting Menu at the Ardshiel Hotel. Each course will be accompanied by a gin from one of the Gintyre producers. Contact the Ardshiel for tickets but you’d better make it quick cause places are extremely limited!
If you miss out on the Ardshiel gin dinner then never fear, there are other gin-spired dining choices available over the weekend; The Craigard Hotel has a special gin-themed menu in their Lochview restaurant for the Friday and Saturday evening. Carradales’ chef Steve has created a Kintyre Gin & Lemon Posset for their new Spring menu starting in April.
Gin Tasting at Gintyre – Sat 13th April
The main tasting event takes place in the magnificently restored Campbeltown Town Hall. What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than drinking gin with friends? With tasters from 12 different producers, breakout sessions, perfect serve G&Ts and kilner cocktails this will be an afternoon of ginny delights!
This year’s Gintyre producers are; Kintyre Gin, Old Raj, Avva, Biggar Gin, Lin Gin, eeNoo, Lussa, McLean’s Gin, Nerabus, Perth Gin, Pixel Spirits and Wild Island Gin. A great line-up I’m sure you’ll agree!
Tickets available now from Campbeltown Town Hall or online from Eventbrite.
Distillery Tours and Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Sunday 14th April
To see first-hand how craft gin is made, head to Beinn an Tuirc distillery on the Sunday afternoon. There will be free tours every half hour or so between 12 – 3pm. You can even enjoy a cheeky G&T in their tasting room while you wait, or after you’re done.
After your tour, head back in to Campbeltown where the wonderful Campbeltown Picture House will be screening classic movie, ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ at 3pm. (Yes, there is a tenuous connection to gin – check their website if you don’t believe me.)
After Gintyre, Discover Kintyre
After all that gin-fuelled fun, you might need to blow away the cobwebs. Go for a walk along one of our fabulous beaches (Machrihanish has just been voted Runner-Up UK Beach of the Year). Climb Dunaverty rock, take a walk over to Davaar Island at low tide or visit the beautiful An Ceardach Gardens. There’s plenty to choose from! Check our See & Do section for more ideas.
Machrihanish Beach
