Mull of Kintyre

[DENIS.THE.TRUE.MANC.]

As a visitor on holidays I remember the boost in tourism that followed the record with people from all parts of the globe visiting Campbeltown. But it only lasted for a few years and then with the recession things took a dive. So I'm not sure what effect it would have had if the record had been used for marketing Kintyre. Over the years since its' release I've heard more people say they didn't like it than those who did! I think that people look at what's on offer in an area, such as the fantastic golf courses, when they decide on where to holiday. We like walking, the scenery, beaches etc. Probably the weather and the midges put many folk off returning, but there's not much you can do about that!

[numberplease]

What weather? We`ve had mostly good weather when we`ve been there on holiday, but even the bad days are good, just because we`re3 "therer". As for midges,we`ve always been in July just going into August, and had no midge problem whatsoever, unlike when we were almost eaten alive at Loch Lomond.
I loved the song and the record, but it took me several years, too many in fact, before I found out for myself the magic that is Kintyre.

[DENIS.THE.TRUE.MANC.]

Yes, to be fair, we've experienced every kind of weather down the years inc. snow in April. The weather we had the first week in June 2009 was the best we've ever had. But the midges at the Columban Conventicle at Keil - well that was another story !

[EMDEE]

EMDEE, if you don't mind me asking, did you play on the Mull of Kintyre record in 1977? I think the pipers went up to Ranachan to record their part, if I'm not mistaken.

I was not in the band at that time, as I had gone to college in Glasgow.

[howlsatthemoon]

Howlsatthemoon- Machrihanish Golf club is registered as a charity

Your point being?

There are quite a few registered charities in Argyll & Bute (can't find Machrihanish golf club mind you http://www.oscr.org.uk ), so according to your thinking our council tax should be spend on advertising them.

[ChrisA]

Someone hit the nail on the head earlier re branding issues.

A mate of mine called me a few nights ago, to tell me that there was a prog onthe telly about "that place in Scotland that you go on about"." "What, Kintyre?" "Yeah, that's it yeah, Mull of Kintyre". "Eh??? Let me check - oh, its about MULL". "Yeah mate that's what I said".

"No".

Quick education session followed, but you take my point. People can go to Kintyre not knowing that the Mull of kintyre is there. And it doesn't really help that the video was done on Saddell bay!

[DRUMLEMEN1]

Howlsatthemoon- Machrihanish Golf club is registered as a charity

Your point being?

There are quite a few registered charities in Argyll & Bute (can't find Machrihanish golf club mind you http://www.oscr.org.uk ), so according to your thinking our council tax should be spend on advertising them.

Howsatthemoon-Point being that Machrihanish Golf club is registered as a charity for the benefit of the members and is not a Business as you had advised. Reason it is a charity is that no one or group can own it and sell off any of the assets to the highest bidder.The fees from visitors keeps the price of membership relatively low for the locals compared to national golf club fees. Why should it not be advertised on a road sign similar to the ferry service to Ireland which was advertised free on council road signs yet cost millions spent on the Campbeltown terminal. At least Machrihanish golf club brings revenue to many businesses in Kintyre and Argyll including the Argyll and Bute Council with high rates and Licence fees.

[Bobh]

Question- How many people have actually been to the Mul of Kintyre- not the top but actually walked the mile down and back up? Maybe a split thread here. I have, many times. And i have an original bulb from the lighthouse. 1 million candle power.

[LANDROVER ROGER]

Question- How many people have actually been to the Mul of Kintyre- not the top but actually walked the mile down and back up? Maybe a split thread here. I have, many times. And i have an original bulb from the lighthouse. 1 million candle power.

How big is the bulb?

[Bobh]

It's typical old style shaped bulb, clear class and about 20 inches high and about 9 inches in diameter. Thsi is actaully my second one, The first i lost!

[chrisduffy]

Not that big nowadays though!

[numberplease]

I`ve been to the Mull of Kintyre, but unfortunately I`m not very agile, so I stayed at the top whilst my hubby walked down and videoed it for me, including the memorial cairn.

[Bonnie Lass]

I've walked down and back up - took as long to go down (because of the slope) as it did to walk back up. What struck me was the amount of names on the cairn, I had forgotten how many died in that helicopter crash.

[jdcarra]

I've walked down and back up - took as long to go down (because of the slope) as it did to walk back up. What struck me was the amount of names on the cairn, I had forgotten how many died in that helicopter crash.

Have a look here http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/83671

[Lyle from Dallas]

I remember when the song mentioned in the OP came out. I also remember that there was general incredulity at the time that it was called Mull of Kintyre. The phrase "Mull of Kintyre" was used then exclusively to refer to the Mull itself, right down at the end. Everything else north of that was 'Kintyre'. There were also remarks that a 'mull' and a peninsula were not the same thing. However for lyrical and scanning reasons 'The Beatle' obviously decided to apply poetic licence. Since then we've had initial confusion, followed, I'd say, by the phrase 'Mull of Kintyre' finally dominating outsiders' beliefs about what this area is called. Its continued use as a prefix for music festivals, half-marathons, cheeses etc only acknowledges and promotes that.

So, back to the song. It was a bit of a dirge in its day (IMHO) and I don't think time has done it any favours. But its influence on what this part of the country is called has been immense and probably irreversible.

Long may this remain the Kintyre Forum, and not the Mull of Kintyre Forum!