Skipness from the road

Skipness

Skipness is a small village on the eastern shore of the Kintyre peninsula, looking across the Kilbrannan Sound towards Arran. There are also magnificent views to Cowalside, Bute and the Ayrshire coast. It is a quiet haven, where the main activities are farming, forestry, tourism, fishing and conservation. The village has a church, village hall and a temporarily closed primary school. The Village Hall holds regular Ceilidhs and dances during the year for locals and holiday-makers alike.

Skipness Point marks the beginning of Loch Fyne and evidence can still be seen of the moorings where ships of long ago were once fastened. The very word Skipness, which in the ancient Nordic tongue means “Point of the Ships” conjures up images of the Vikings who dominated the Highlands and Islands for so long.

To secure the peace, the building of the first Skipness Castle began in the 13th century and the ruined walls and massive tower house still guard the shore. It ts one of the earliest standing castle buildings in Scotland. The ruins of the medieval Kilbrannan Chapel lie just a little further, towards The Point.

The Estate and Farm

Skipness Estate has been in the ownership of the Oakes family since 1936. The farm has a beef herd of approximately 60 Simmental-cross cows calving during the summer. There are also 500 breeding sheep made up of Scottish Blackface, Cheviot and Texel crosses. The farm has 500 hectares of land which is a mix of hill, rough grazing and permanent pasture. There is also approximately 50 Ha of mixed woodland. Skipness’ woodlands are being managed within the family, producing sustainable local firewood, and also timber by way of a recently acquired mobile sawmill.

The Estate has had self-catering holiday cottages since the 1950’s, all are traditional estate houses or conversions of. In 1990 The Seafood Cabin was established in the grounds of Skipness House and still flourishes there today.

    Skipness 360° Panorama

View Skipness yourself with this interactive 360° panorama. Click or swipe the image below to pan and zoom.

Skipness Castle and Farmhouse, Seafood Cabin, Kilbrannan Chapel, and over the sound to Arran (Jan 2016)
 
 

Around Skipness

Skipness Seafood Cabin
The Seafood Cabin

A seasonal family-run venue that prepares and sells locally sourced, fresh seafood dishes. It also provides a variety of homemade cakes & scones with a choice of beverages. Set next to Skipness Farmhouse, the Castle is a short walk away and stunning views of Arran and the Kilbrannan Chapel are on offer. The licensed restaurant aims to provide an easy going, relaxed atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable and leaves satisfied!  Open 11am – 7pm, 28th May – 1st Oct.  Go to Seafood Cabin page.

Skipness Castle

The ruins of this 13th Century castle, dominate the surrounding landscape. The courtyard is open to the public all year round, and the tower house is open every day from the 1st April to 30th September, 9:30am – 5:30pm. The views from the tower are spectacular. Entry is free.  Go to Skipness Castle page.

Skipness Castle
Village Shop
Village Shop and Post Office

The Village shop has reopened!!

The Skipness Shop facebook page.

The Smokehouse

Skipness Estate’s latest development is a new smokehouse, built for Tim & Fran of Creelers (Arran and Edinburgh) on the site of the old estate workshop. Skipness Smokehouse is now home for all their smoked and pre-cooked seafood products, they provide tours of the smokehouse and you can buy smoked goods directly from their shop. For more information, and to order delicious smoked fish right now, visit the Skipness Smokehouse website.

Skipness Smokehouse
Kilbrannan Chapel
Kilbrannan Chapel

Kilbrannan Chapel lies closer to Skipness Point than the Castle and close to the shore. The MacDonalds built Kilbrannan Chapel around 1300 when they converted the original MacSween castle and chapel into one larger, more impressive residence. In the surrounding graveyard are some excellent examples of elaborately carved gravestones and a number of medieval burial slabs. The cemetery is still in use today and the grounds are looked after by the local council.

St Brendan’s Church

St Brendan’s church lies at the far end of the village, just before the humpback bridge over Skipness River. The church was designed by Bertram Vaughan Johnson and built in 1896-7. It is a small country church with walls of local grey stone with red sandstone margins. The east gable is ornamented with a small Celtic cross. The lancet windows have leaded lights. The interior is simple with a open timber roof. One of the stained glass windows features Celtic interlacing designed by R C Graham of Skipness and made by Powell & Co, 1897. There is a regular Sunday morning service.

Skipness Church
Village Hall
Skipness Village Hall

Skipness Village Hall is a community managed charity that hosts various events and can also be hired for private functions. It has a small kitchenette, disabled access and toilets. Scottish country dances and Cèilidhs with a live band are often held in the hall so check the noticeboard for upcoming events.