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Davaar 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!
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 cave itself has been filled with small crosses and other items making it a shrine of sorts. While it may be possible to get right round the island, that may involve a bit of climbing and more scrambling across rocks. By far the easiest way to return is to retrace your steps back to the path used earlier. 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, turn right instead and follow the path as it slowly climbs up the northern side of the island to the lighthouse.
The mainland is also a short walk to the west – and with the 6 hour time limit on the island in mind it is best to keep one eye on the time. However, it is definitely a trip worth making! |
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To
the east of 
The
island is probably better known for the cave painting of the crucifixion
executed in secret by local artist Archibald MacKinnon, in 1887, and touched up
by him after he owned up in 1937. A year later aged 82 he died. Once on the
island, to reach the cave head south along the path, which leads to the base of
the cliff overlooking Kildalloig Bay that lies between the island and the
mainland. There are a number of caves in the cliff and in one of these is the
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! That
gives you the chance to look around, with Ailsa Craig visible to the south and
the Kintyre peninsula across the small bay! 
This
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. Davaar is uninhabited, apart from
sheep and people staying in the cottages at the lighthouse to the north of the
island. From this point of the island, Arran is visible to the northeast on a
clear day. 
