Welcome to Campbeltown

Campbeltown is located at the southern end of the long narrow Kintyre peninsula, on the north-west coast of Scotland, in the county of Argyllshire, approximately 525 miles north-west of London and 110 miles south of Fort William.

The town has a population of around 6,000. Administratively it is within the unitary council region of Argyll and Bute which covers an area of approximately 6,900 sq kms and which has a population of around 91,000.

Sheltered by hills and lying around its harbour on Campbeltown Loch, it is the chief centre on the peninsula and although the town is in an isolated position there are regular ferries to Northern Ireland and good bus services to Glasgow. Formerly a busy herring fishing port the town, of predominantly grey stone buildings, is now a peaceful resort popular with golfers, anglers and walkers.  

The town was founded in the early 17th century, becoming a Royal Burgh in 1700. It was known as Kinlochkilkerran until being renamed in the late 17th century by the Earl of Argyll whose family name was Campbell. It became an important fishing port and a centre for shipbuilding and whisky.

Historically the town's economy was based upon whisky production, at one time accommodating thirty-four distilleries and claiming to be "the whisky capital of the world". Today Campbeltown has only three active distilleries. The town is also an extremely popular holiday destination for tourists.

The name Campbeltown comes from the fact that the town was taken over by the Earl of Argyll in the 17th century, the family name being Campbell.