20 years of steps and stories..

A story from Kenny McNab
 

Hi There

I started walking on the Kintyre Way in 2012 at the time I had just sold a seafood business and the intention was to retire and of course that never really happens. I had always liked hill walking and climbing so first thing was to get myself fit and that’s when the Kintyre Way came into my life.  So what better than a we jaunt out the back door of where Ilive on to the Way.  Too handy some might say but with a young working cocker spaniel to be walked it was really special. I had decided at this point that if I was going to take up walking or especially hill walking I would be doing it to raise funds for charity and to this day I’m still doing it .

 

The Kintyre Way to me has been the inspiration to raise many thousands for mainly 2 charities - the Fishermen’s Mission and Parkinson’s UK.  All of my training for challenges I have taken on world-wide take place on the Kintyre Way, especially anywhere between Clachan and Tarbert.  I have lost count of the number of times I have traversed that area and I never tire of it.  Every time I see something different whether it be the wildlife or the weather,  Golden Eagles or Sea Eagles, and other birds too many to name I have encountered, not to mention otters, foxes, pine Martens, deer, even the odd adder on a warm spring day.   Whether it be winter or summer from hard frost to wind and rain and even bright sunshine the views are always spectacular and every day is different.

 

I mentioned earlier about raising funds for charity so back in October 2017 I decided to give the Kintyre Way a go to raise money for Parkinson’s UK but,  and there’s always a but with me, I thought why not do it both ways there and back.   Well it was an experience especially with the weather starting to turn at the end of October but it was well worth it.  Seeing the other end was a fantastic experience for me and I will be back at some point, especially above the Mull Of Kintyre a special place never to be forgotten.  It’s hard to pick a favourite spot on the way but the hill above Carradale looking over the Kilbrannan Sound is quite special.  I was lucky it was a great day weather wise that day but it did stay with me. Raising over 5 thousand pounds for Parkinson’s made it all the better and all the help I got along the way from locals makes it even more special.

 

As I write this I have just done my 17 km route part way to Skipness and back which I do regularly it’s always different and I meet some interesting people as I did today.   Never once anyone complaining about the route but most of the time I meet them heading south so just starting so no sore feet at that point.  People always ask me about recommendations for the best time to walk the Kintyre Way. My answer is always - it’s the west of Scotland it’s always a good time if you’re well prepared.  The Kintyre Way is something to be cherished here locally.  It’s an asset that many other areas don’t have and I personally believe more could be made of it.  Happy anniversary and best wishes to all who help to keep it alive.     Kenny MacNab