Tarbert has a long history both as a harbour and as a strategic point guarding access to Kintyre and the Inner Hebrides. The name Tarbert is an anglicised form of the Gaelic word tairbeart, which literally translates as "carrying across" and refers to the narrowest strip of land between two bodies of water over which goods or entire boats can be dragged or carried (portage). In past times cargoes were discharged from vessels berthed in one loch, hauled over the isthmus to the other loch, loaded onto vessels berthed there and shipped onward, allowing seafarers to avoid the sail around the Mull of Kintyre.
Tarbert was anciently part of the Gaelic overkingdom of Dál Riata and protected by three castles – in the village centre, at the head of the West Loch, and on the south side of the East Loch. The ruin of the last of these castles, Tarbert Castle, still exists and dominates Tarbert's skyline. Around the year 1098 Magnus Barefoot, King of Norway, is said to have had his longship dragged across the isthmus at Tarbert with the helmsman in place, to meet the agreed definition of an island, and establish his possession of Kintyre as one of the Western Isles.
Despite its distinction as a strategic stronghold during the Middle Ages, Tarbert's socioeconomic prosperity came during the Early Modern period, as the port developed into a fishing town. At its height, the Loch Fyne herring fishery attracted hundreds of vessels to Tarbert.
Tarbert Castle. A fortified structure was built in Tarbert during the 13th century.
History
Tarbert is a name from Gaelic for a small neck of land joining two larger pieces; an isthmus, across which a birlinn (longboat or galley) could be dragged.[2][3]
Allegedly, around the year 1098 Magnus Barefoot, King of Norway, had his galley drawn across the isthmus at Tarbert with himself in it, to establish his claim to Kintyre as an island.[5]
A similar story recounts that Robert the Bruce, when on his way to visit the Isles in 1315, "caused his galleys to be drawn across the isthmus of Tarbert. The King, whose exploit wrought upon the superstition of the inhabitants, having thus 'dantit the Ilis' and procured their homage," later returned to the castle.[5] A fortified structure had been built in Tarbert during the 13th century. It was reinforced with the addition of an outer bailey and towers in the 1320s by Bruce, to protect it against the Lords of the Isles. A towerhouse was added in the 16th century, which is the most noticeable part of the remains. The castle occupies high land above Loch Fyne, providing views up East Loch Tarbert and beyond to the Firth of Clyde. This castle was captured from John MacDonald by James IV of Scotland as part of his campaign to destroy the power of the Lords of the Isles. In 1685 the castle was involved in another skirmish when Walter Campbell of Skipness Castle seized it as a stronghold for the Clan Campbell.
There are only a couple of standing walls left which have been stabilised, allowing removal of fencing and closer access for visitors.[6] The castle is on top of a hill in Tarbert overlooking the bay. The castle has a very commanding view of the water approaches.
The coast of Tarbert Bay is rocky and the cliffs are fringed with young firs, the village itself being an extremely tranquil and beautiful place. Tarbert boasts several beaches, accessible either through forested walks or over seaside rocks. One such beach, known locally as the Shell Beach, is composed entirely of broken seashells that have washed ashore following offshore processing of queenies and clams.[7]
The Church of Scotlandparish church occupies a fine situation on high ground and has a crown spire. Overlooking the harbour are the ruins of a castle built by Robert I of Scotland in 1326. The isthmus connecting the districts of Knapdale and Kintyre is little more than 1 mile (1.6km) wide, and boats once used to be dragged across to the head of West Loch Tarbert, a narrow sea loch nearly 10 miles (16km) long. A proposal to cut a canal across to shorten the sail to Islay and Jura in the late 19th century did not progress further.[8]
Tarbert is the start;finish point of the NCR75 a route from Tarbert to Edinburgh via Glasgow.[9] The National Cycle Network is maintained by sustrans.[10] NCR75 includes two ferry crossings from Tarbert to Portavadie on the Cowal peninsula and from Dunoon ((Cowal)), to Gourock in Inverclyde. Once on the Kintyre peninsula you can join the National Cycle Route 78 (The Caledonia Way).[11]
Tarbert is famous for its seafood[citation needed] and hosts a seafood festival every year. In addition to the Seafood Festival, Tarbert also plays host to the Scottish Series, which usually takes place in the last weeks of May every year. This yacht race is the second biggest in Britain and is surpassed only by the Cowes Week. At its peak, the village is swelled by visiting yachtsmen and their yachts.
Tarbert also hosts an annual amusement fair at the end of July.[13] Begun in the early 1800s, Tarbert Fair was originally a place where farmers and crofters would barter cattle, wool, and other goods. Today, however, the Fair is all about entertainment, with a suite of fairground rides, arcades, and fast food outlets that stretch along the harbour walls.
Tarbert anciently formed part of the Dál Riata. It has lain within the county boundaries of Argyllshire from a very early time. In 1890, Tarbert fell under the authority of Argyll County Council, where it remained until 1975 when the county was superseded by the regional council area of Strathclyde. From 1975 to 1996, Tarbert was in the Argyll district of Strathclyde until the two-tier regions and districts of Scotland were abolished. Since 1996 it has formed part of the unitary Argyll and Bute council area; Argyll and Bute Council is the local authority. Tarbert remains part of Argyllshire for purposes of registration.
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