How to get there...

Kintyre is a remote and very beautiful peninsula in the West Highlands of Scotland. It is the nearest point on the Scottish mainland to Ireland. At the famous Mull or headland of Kintyre, the Antrim coast of Ireland, also an area of great beauty is only 14 miles away.

To get to Campbeltown, the main town of Kintyre, where Linda's Memorial Garden is located, you need to travel to Glasgow. Once there, there are a number of different ways to travel the 140 miles to the West. You can travel by air. It is a very short and easy flight, but there are only two flights a day and none at weekends. Many golfers, from all over the world, travel on these flights, to play at the famous Machrihanish links course, one of the oldest and finest in Scotland, designed, according to Old Tom Morris, by God for a golf course, although Morris did give Him a helping hand.

In the old days, the best way to Campbeltown was by steamer down the river Clyde, from Glasgow or neighbouring Gourock, but nowadays the steamers have gone, apart from one excursion steamer the last paddle wheeler in the world, PS Waverley. Although the Waverley often makes excursions to the town, most visitors nowadays come by road. And what a road it is. In good weather, especially in spring when the snow is still on the tops and the daffodils and primroses are blooming, it can match any of the great coastal roads of the world.  It starts from Glasgow, along the Clyde, home of the great Queens and other famous liners, and then it winds round Loch Lomond, one of the most beautiful freshwater lochs in the world. From Loch Lomond it passes over the notorious pass known as the 'Rest and be Thankful' and on to Inverary with its famous Clan Campbell Castle.

South of Inverary the road hugs the shores of Loch Fyne, home of the world renowned Loch Fyne kippers and smoked salmon. On your route you will probably see some of the fishing boats, and one or two of the salmon farms.  You will certainly see seals, herons and possibly porpoises or otters.

After Tarbert a fine fishing port nestling round a picturesque harbour, you reach the Kintyre peninsula, and now the road swings to the west and you are in for a continuing vista of seascapes of the Inner Hebridean Islands, beaches, rocky raised beaches from glacial times, and eventually the world renowned surfing beaches overlooking the coast of Ireland, which can be clearly seen on most days.

At the end of the coast road, some 35 miles south of Tarbert, the road crosses to the east for the four miles to the world's former whisky capital, Campbeltown, embracing its superb harbour. It is here you should stay to savour the hotels and highland hospitality, and where Linda's Garden is located.

There is an excellent coach service from Glasgow to Campbeltown operated by West Coast Motors, one of Campbeltown's largest employers, which provides coach services on behalf of the Intercity Group, throughout the Highlands . Although in the blue and yellow livery of the National Company your children will always be able to pick out a West Coast Motors bus anywhere in Scotland, or indeed Europe, by its registration WCM. It is a great game on a long journey.

Letting the coach driver take the strain, in the high, panoramic coaches, with full facilities is a very easy and pleasant way to enjoy the wonderful scenery. The journey takes four hours, with regular stops.

If you are hiring a car or driving your own car, take the A83 road through Glasgow to Balloch and then on through Inveraray, Lochgilphead Tarbert and Campbeltown. There are a number of junctions with other roads, to Oban etc, but keep to the main road, which is well signposted at all junctions.

In Campbeltown, the Memorial Garden is in the grounds of the Library and Museum, in Hall Street. This is the road along the harbour front and the Library is next door to the famous Picture House, which is the oldest cinema in Britain still in use. It was often patronised by the McCartney family, it is now run by a community company, and Sir Paul has been one of a number of generous sponsors.

Enter the Library and sign the Visitors Book. The Garden is accessed through a door beside the foyer. The librarian can help you if you have any questions.  Do bear in mind that this is a seasonal garden and at times the gardener has to change the flower beds, but usually it is a beautiful oasis of quiet where you are welcome to sit and contemplate