Tarbert (, , or Tairbeart Loch Fìne to distinguish it from other places of the same name) is a village in the west of Scotland, in the Argyll and Bute council area. It is built around East Loch Tarbert, an inlet of Loch Fyne, and extends over the isthmus which links the peninsula of Kintyre to Knapdale and West Loch Tarbert. Tarbert had a recorded population of 1,338 in the 2001 Census.
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 the 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 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, had his longship carried across the isthmus at Tarbert to signify his possession 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.
History
Tarbert is a name from Gaelic for a small neck of land joining two larger pieces; an isthmus, at which Tarbert lies.
Tarbert was anciently part of the Gaelic overkingdom of Dál Riata. It has been suggested as a scene of an action during a conflict for the kingdom's rule between Dúngal mac Selbaig and Eochaid mac Echdach. The Annals of Ulster attest that in 731, Dúngal burnt a "Tairpert Boitir", which was most probably Tarbert and was at the time in the lands of the Cenél nGabráin.
Around the year 1098 Magnus Barefoot, King of Norway, had his longship carried across the isthmus at Tarbert to signify his possession of the Western Isles.
A fortified structure was built in Tarbert during the 13th century. It was reinforced with the addition of an outer bailey and towers in the 1320s by Robert the 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. The castle is on top of a hill in Tarbert overlooking the bay. The castle has a very commanding view of the water approaches.
Geography
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.
The Church of Scotland parish 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 wide, and boats once used to be dragged across to the head of West Loch Tarbert, a narrow sea loch nearly 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.
Tourism
Tarbert is famous for its seafood 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.