Islay Community Access Group

Please select an access route from the list below.

Kilnaughton and the Singing Sands
The Battery and Gartbreck
Ardnave
Killinallan
Ballygrant to Port Askaig
Kintra to Soldier's Rock
Octofad to Lossit via Ballimony
Saligo and Kilchoman (Machir Bay)
Ardbeg to Solam

Alternatively, please click on a route number on the map.

Please remember to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Treat the countryside and those who live and work in it with respect.
Take responsibility for your own actions at all times.

If you are a dog owner:

Keep your dog under control, wherever you are.
During the spring, do not take your dog into any area where lambs are present. If you are in close proximity to livestock, your dog should be on a short lead at all times.
In spring you should also keep your dog under close control in areas such as shingle beaches where birds nest - on Islay, this would include places like Uiskentuie Strand.
Remember cows with calves can be unpredictable and may become aggressive. If your dog is chased, let it go and leave the area yourself as quickly as possible. Your dog will save itself, but you could be injured if you try to intervene.

Please note that the maps are intended as a guide only - an OS map of Islay (such as the Landranger 60) is strongly recommended.

Visit the beach at Kilnaughton, or walk a little further to the scenic surroundings of the Singing Sands. Mostly easy walking on made paths, generally dry underfoot although depending on the chosen starting point you may have to cross the burn at Kilnaughton. Watch out for feral and semi-feral goats among the rocks, and perhaps a Golden Eagle in the sky above - the Mull of Oa provides good hunting grounds for these majestic birds. At the Singing Sands, look for signs of otters along the sand and among the rocks. Allow around 1½ to 2 hours for the round trip to the Singing Sands if walking from Cairnmore Woods, less if leaving from Kilnaughton.

From Port Ellen, follow the road to the Oa, past the houses at Imeraval. Opposite Cairnmore House you will see a gate leading in to Cairnmore Woods. This path will lead you down through the trees to the east end of Kilnaughton Bay; if leaving a car here please park considerately, taking care not to obstruct the road or gateway. Alternatively, drive on to the next junction, following signs to the Oa, and turn left after the cemetery to park at the west end of the beach. Follow the well-made track towards the lighthouse. (Just after the car park, you will see a path leading off uphill to the right. This also makes pleasant walking with lovely views, but will not take you to the Singing Sands.) As you approach Carraig Fhada farm, take the path signposted to the right of the track to skirt round the buildings. Please close all gates behind you as you follow the footpath to the beach.

Take a picnic to the beautiful viewpoint at the Battery, once an armed lookout point built to defend Loch Indaal from the 18th Century privateer, John Paul Jones. If you're feeling energetic, walk on along the shore to Gartbreck, watching out for a variety of shore birds and keeping an eye out for Grey and Common Seals lounging on the rocks. Allow 2 to 2½ hours for the round trip to Gartbreck. Mostly dry underfoot but with some wetter areas along the shore.

Follow the signposted footpath just uphill from Bowmore Distillery. A few minutes walk will lead you to a grassy picnic area with lovely views across the loch. To continue to Gartbreck, follow the path over the hill and onto the shore. Walk along the shingle beach, taking care in the spring to watch out for nesting birds. When the tide is out, many walkers choose to continue across the sand; following the waymarkers for the Shore Walk from just below Ronnachmore will lead you onto the driest inland route. This path winds through Iris beds and across salt marsh to the farm at Gartbreck. To return by a different route, follow the path through the gate at the side of the farm buildings to join the single track road leading back to Bowmore.

A lovely coastal walk, beginning at a freshwater loch that teems with bird life. Mostly easy walking on beach or sandy turf, although inland can be boggy in winter. Some lovely sandy beaches, but cold for swimming, and in some parts the sea bottom shelves steeply - take care with young children. This is a good area for spotting Chough, and in the winter large flocks of Greenland Barnacle Geese feed here. Look out for traces of otters in the sand dunes, particularly the telltale five-toed paw prints. Allow 2 to 2½ hours for the circular walk.

Park at Ardnave Loch, taking notice of any signs restricting parking and taking care not to block access for farm vehicles. Take the track which leads to the right at the end of the loch and follow it through the dunes. From here you can cut down to the sea and simply follow the coastline round, watching for seals as you go, or stay inland and enjoy the lovely views across to Nave Island and Colonsay. Cattle graze in the dune pasture - please leave all gates as you find them. If following the coast, strike back up towards Ardnave Farm when you reach the track and manmade lobster ponds just beyond Traigh Nostaig.

Follow the coast of Loch Gruinart round Killinallan Point, watching for seals hauled out on the sandbanks at low tide, to find the beauty of Traigh Bhaile Aonghais - two miles of powdery sands washed by the Atlantic. Take care in the water; there is a deep channel on the east side of Loch Gruinart, and the sea on the north coast can be very rough - and cold! Allow 2½ to 3 hours for the full round trip, using the farm track on the way out and returning by the shore.

Take the road up the east side of Loch Gruinart, past Craigens Farm, and drive to the locked gate about 3 miles on. Park here and use the pedestrian gate to access the beach area. From here you can cut down to the shoreline immediately - follow the waymarkers for the easiest and driest route - or continue along the farm track, towards Killinallan Farm. This route provides an easy shortcut to the far end of Traigh Bhaile Aonghais - way markers at several points along the route show easy access points to the beach, the final one being just before the abandoned steading at Gortantaoid.

A lovely woodland walk on well surfaced paths. Time your walk to return by bus from Port Askaig, or return across more open ground via the Keills - Ballygrant footpath. Allow 1½ to 2 hours to reach Port Askaig. Please keep your dog under control at all times. During the nesting season (15th April to 31st July), you are asked to keep your dog on the track, on a lead if necessary.

Park in the car park opposite Ballygrant Hall (follow the sign to Mulindry from Ballygrant Shop). Please do not use the gateways and verges further along the single track road, as this can cause difficulties for farm vehicles. Walk on to the fork in the road; take the private road to Lossit Farm and enter the woods by the first gate on the left. Follow this main track all the way to the Lily Loch, detouring if you wish to visit Loch Cadhan or the heather-clad boathouse at Loch Allan. At the Lily Loch, follow the signed footpath to the right. (Due to the extensive road works at the ferry terminal, it is no longer possible to reach Port Askaig by continuing straight on). Leave the woods by the wooden gate, making sure it is closed behind you. This stretch of path leads back to the main road, close to Caol Ila road end. From here, continue along the main road to Port Askaig, or join the Keills - Ballygrant footpath for your return journey.

A sometimes challenging walk over rough ground. Watch out for Golden Eagle, Buzzard and other birds of prey; you may also come on a herd of feral goats. Allow 3-4 hours for leisurely exploration of the fascinating coastline and abandoned townships. Good solid footwear is essential.

Set off from Kintra Farm along the hill track, past the holiday cottage and through a gate. On reaching the burn, take the left hand track and continue uphill towards Frachdale. After Frachdale the track heads uphill again, passing through a gate onto open hill ground. From here, the path is less distinct. Stay on the higher ground on the north side of the glen for easier walking, although you may wish to cross the glen to visit the ruins at Tockmal, where a cup-marked stone can also be found. After the final set of ruins, at Grasdale, take a line towards the conical peak on the coast ahead (marked as a trig point on the OS map). After crossing the burn, (Sruthan Poll nan Gamhna), walk out onto the headland to your right to view Soldier's Rock, an impressive natural sea stack, and the dramatic sea cliffs of this area. Take great care here and do not go too close to the edge, particularly in windy conditions! To return, head uphill towards Grasdale again before following the contours of the hill around the coast. Stay on high ground and follow a series of sheep tracks, staying clear of the scrub woodland at Coille a'Cnoc Mhoir. On the hillside above Port Askig is a concrete water tank; from here the track to Kintra can easily be rejoined.

Two miles of partly surfaced track which makes a pleasant walk in its own right, or can be used as part of a circular walk or cycle from Port Charlotte - about 13 miles in total. Watch out for Roe Deer and birds of prey - including Hen Harrier - as you pass through the forestry plantation.

Leave the main road just after Octofad Farm, making sure you leave all gates as you find them. The first part is a little rutted as this is used for feeding stock in the winter, but the condition improves as the road enters the forestry plantation. As you approach the settlement of Ballimony, the track rises, and the view to the south west is of the Northern Irish coast. Rejoin the main road above Lossit Bay, turning right for Port Charlotte, left for Portnahaven.

Saligo is a lovely sandy beach with lots of sheltered picnic spots among the rocks. At low tide there are rock pools to explore and tidal pools to play in, but because of strong undercurrents and rip tides the sea here is not safe for even strong swimmers. Watch out for Chough feeding in the dunes, and look for the distinctive five-toed footprints of otters in the sand.

Please park considerately; note that if there are cars parked on both verges the road may be impassable for farm vehicles. No dogs allowed from 1st April - 1st June while sheep are lambing; at all other times please keep your dog on a lead until the beach, and take care that it doesn't stray into the dunes, where sheep graze all year round.

Kilchoman features a mile of golden windswept sand, perfect for dog walking and beach games. As at Saligo, the water here is not safe for swimming, although at low tide there are often shallow pools to be found at the south end of the beach. This is one of the best areas on the island to see Chough; from July until February there are often large flocks in the dunes behind the beach.

Follow the road from Loch Gorm onto a rough track down to the beach; park in the grassy area at the end of the track. For a pleasant circular walk, leave the beach at the south end and follow the track back through the dunes to the parking area. Please keep your dog under control and away from livestock; you are asked not to use this inland route for dog walking during the spring when there are young lambs and calves. Alternatively, continue uphill from the beach towards the cliffs and join the track to Kilchiaran - with a prearranged lift at the other end, this makes a comfortable 2 hour walk.

A scenic walk to a haunting spot on the hillside. Solam was inhabited until the 1930s, but in the late 18th century the nearby community was wiped out by the plague. When all the inhabitants were known to be dead, the buildings were burned. Outlines of some of the houses can still be traced in the glen close to the surviving ruin. The walk begins on a well-made track then comes onto rough hill ground, sometimes wet underfoot - good footwear is essential. There may be livestock present over all or part of the route; please give cows with calves a wide berth and keep dogs under control. Allow 2½ to 3 hours for the return trip.

Start at the gate directly opposite Ardbeg Distillery. Please park considerately; do not block access to the house or to the farm gate. Follow the track to the bottom the hill at Airigh nam Beist, leaving all gates as you find them. Here the track divides: the right hand track leads to Loch Iarnan, also worth a visit, but for Solam turn left. From here you can either scramble over the top of Airigh nam Beist, past the ruins, or stroll round the bottom of the hill. Either way you will come to a pedestrian gate, then a footbridge across the Ardbeg Burn. The path now meanders through scrub woodland and bracken before coming out onto the hillside. From here it is occasionally indistinct; follow the waymarkers, picking your own way across the boggier bits. Just before Solam, the track approaches a high drystone dyke. To the left is a flat rock face - if you look carefully, you may be able to pick out a carving of a woman's face in profile, made by John MacNiven, whose family farmed here in the 1920s. Continue on alongside the wall to the ruined steading. About 50m beyond the house is large boulder with another carving, this time the face of a man. The remains of the plague village - mostly overgrown with grass - are in the glen about 500m to the southwest of Solam, and nearby at the base of the rocks is St. Michael's Well, once the water supply for the village. To avoid the worst boggy areas, after visiting the site of the plague village retrace your steps to the ruin at Solam and return by the same route.