“A quietly retiree-heavy community without being one of the more advertised retirement destinations.”
The village is in a spectacular coastal location(Image: Ashley Cooper / Getty Images)
Deciding where to retire is a major decision that depends on a huge number of factors. Some will prefer to enjoy post-retirement life in bustling cities that have easy access to amenities, while others instead choose to move to a quiet town or village with peaceful walks and parks.
As reported by the Daily Record, travel experts at WorldAtlas shared a list of the “seven best places to retire in Scotland” on Tuesday, May 26. Stirling was the only city to be included on the roundup, while one of the smaller destinations to be featured on the list is the village of Tarbert.
Tarbert is a waterside settlement in the west of Scotland in Argyll and Bute, situated at the head of an inlet of Loch Fyne, and is home to a population of approximately 1,200 people. It is considered to be a gateway to the stunning Kintyre peninsula, and is renowned for its spectacular coastal views.
According to WorldAtlas, the population of those living in Tarbert who are over the age of 65 is significantly above the Scottish national average of around 19 percent. The experts state that this makes the village “a quietly retiree-heavy community” that would suit those who prioritise picturesque vistas and peace and quiet.
Despite its small size, Tarbert has various picturesque waterfront and historic sites to explore such as the Tarbert Castle that dates back to around the 14th century. It is also a popular destination for yachting, hosting the annual Scottish Series yacht racing event each May.
Even though it has a small population, the village has a number of popular restaurants, cafés, and pubs where you can regularly enjoy top-quality food and drink. These include Cafe Ca’Dora, which serves up homemade food and hot coffee, and seafood specialists The Red Herring.
Tarbert is also home to a sports hub that is comprised of a bowling club, a golf club, a pickleball club, a football centre, and more. The hub hosts regular events, with the bowling green open for play daily and providing club bowls—while competitions are held most Saturdays from May to early September.
WorldAtlas singled out Tarbert for its bustling harbour, where boats regularly land with fresh langoustines and scallops. Seafood lovers will also enjoy the annual Tarbert Seafood Festival that takes place each July and features parades, music, stalls, and various other activities at the village’s harbour.
The experts also praised the village for its easy access to a huge selection of walking trails and beauty spots. Among those that were named as highlights are the Tarbert Castle Trail and Corranbuie Trail, which offer breathtaking views of Tarbert Castle and Loch Fyne respectively.
WorldAtlas states: “Tarbert is a small fishing village at the head of East Loch Tarbert on the northeast side of the Kintyre Peninsula, with a population of approximately 1,300. The over-65 share of the population is well above the Scottish national average of around 19 percent, which makes Tarbert a quietly retiree-heavy community without being one of the more advertised retirement destinations.
“The harbour is still a working fishing harbour, with langoustine and scallop boats landing daily, and the catch is the basis of the annual Tarbert Seafood Festival in early July. Tarbert Castle, on the hillside above the harbour, has a stone keep dating to the late thirteenth century and accounting records prepared for Robert the Bruce in the early fourteenth that are among the earliest documents in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland.
“Two short walking trails lead from the harbour up around the castle: Tarbert Castle Trail for East Loch Tarbert views, and Corranbuie Trail for views of Loch Fyne, one of the longest sea lochs in Scotland at about 41 miles. Shell Beach, north of the village, is a small beach that is genuinely made of broken shells rather than sand. The nearest hospital is the Mid Argyll Hospital and Community Care Centre at Lochgilphead, about 12 miles north.”
More information about Tarbert can be found on the Wild About Argyll website. For the full list of the “seven best places to retire in Scotland”, see the WorldAtlas website.
