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Sunday 20th January – Skerrols & Knockdon
This walk has been jinxed in the past – it seems to attract torrential rain and hailstones!
We'll try again though – around 5 miles, 2-3 hours walking mostly on hard track, round by Loch Skerrols & Knockdon,
returning via Mid Carrabus and Whin Park. Mud probably a feature in places. Meet at Bridgend Woods car park, 11am.
Sunday 3rd February – Ardnave
Meet at Ardnave Loch at 11am for a 2-3 hour stroll round the point – mostly level, may be one or two scrambles over rocks in places
but these can probably be avoided if necessary! Lovely views of Loch Gruinart, Colonsay and Oronsay, maybe some choughs and seals to be seen.
Proper footwear essential. Please remember to bring waterproofs and a snack.
Dogs will need to be on a lead if we encounter livestock.
Who would have thought 2007 would have flown by so fast? 9th December will see Walkaboutabitmore's last outing of the year,
so lay out your walking gear before heading out to any pre-Christmas parties tonight and join us at 11am in Bridgend Woods car park for a 3 hour,
6 mile ramble to clear away the cobwebs.
We'll be heading through the woods to Daill, then on up to Scouller for lovely views over Loch Indaal,
before visiting the old chapel at Kilbreanan. Not a very difficult walk, but no doubt there will be mud so make sure you're properly shod.
Sunday 25th November - Margadale
Around 4 miles there and back, rough and muddy in places but well worth the effort.
The settlement at Margadale was last inhabited in the early 1900s, and it was once a popular meeting place on the main route from Loch Gruinart
to the Sound of Islay. Meet at Bunnahabhain, (road junction on the left at the top of the hill before the distillery) at 11am.
Sunday 11th November - Keppols, Finlaggan and Bunnahabhain
Meet at Keppols Farm road end, 11am, for around 7 miles, 4 hours walking over to Finlaggan then on through Staoisha forestry plantation to Bunnahabhain.
(Return transport provided.) Mostly good track but there is one rough muddy section. A lovely, varied walk with great views and lots of history.
Sunday 28th October – Tigh na Speur (Sky House)
Meet at 11am at the Ramsay Hall, Port Ellen, for shared transport on to Tallant (opposite the Kildalton Cross access road).
Around 4 hours, 6 miles of moderate walking on moorland and bike track to the ruins at Tigh na Speur in the hills behind
Kintour, with some rough ground on the approach to the house itself. On the way back, weather and energy levels permitting,
there will be the option of visiting the line of Duns which are a marked feature of this area.
Sunday 14th October
Sorry, no guided walk. Get out there anyway!
Sunday 30th September - Soldier's Rock (walk postponed from 5th August)
Meet at Kintra at 11am for a 3 - 4 hour round trip to see this impressive natural sea stack, and explore the abandoned townships of Frachdale and Tocmal. Some rough ground but reasonably easy walking. Sorry, not suitable for dogs. Proper footwear essential. Please remember to bring waterproofs (and/or sunscreen!) and a snack.
Sunday 16th September - Skerrols & Knockdon
Meet at Bridgend car park, 11am. Around 4 miles of easy walking, returning by Carnain and Whin Park. A lovely circular walk, mostly on hard track, taking in woodland and open fields. Dogs will need to be on a lead if we meet livestock.
Sunday 19th August – Rubha a'Mhail
Around 4-5 hours walking to the northernmost point on Islay, with a lunch break in the lighthouse garden. Reasonably easy walking but rough and possibly wet underfoot in parts. Meet at Bunnahabhain 11am. Dogs welcome.
Sunday 5th August – Soldier's Rock
Meet at Kintra at 11am for a 3-4 hour round trip to see this impressive natural sea stack.
Some rough ground but reasonably easy walking. Sorry, not suitable for dogs.
Sunday 22nd July - Killinallan & Gortantaoid
An old favourite, and an easier day - around 4 hours fairly level walking on track and beach,
out to the old steading at Gortantaoid and returning by the coast (or vice versa, depending on the tide).
Meet at the locked gate at Killinallan, (east side of Loch Gruinart, 2 miles beyond Craigens Farm) at 11am.
Sunday 8th July - Sgorr nam Faoileann
Meet Donald James MacPhee at Storakaig gate at 11am for 4-5 hour walk to the summit of Sgorr nam Faoileann.
DJ promises to make the ascent as painless as possible, and you can expect stunning views from the top.
More info on this walk from Donald James on 01496 840236 (Lindy is on holiday this week).
Well behaved, sociable dogs welcome on all walks unless specifically noted.
Please be prepared to put your dog on a lead if we encounter livestock.
For ALL walks, please remember - appropriate footwear (boots not trainers), waterproofs, food and water.
Oh, and you might like to bring sunscreen too! (Always hopeful)
Sunday 24th June - An Cladach
Meet at Storakaig gate, on the Glen Road, at 11am for a 4-5 hour walk down Glen Logan to the bothy at An Cladach, on the Sound of Islay. Some rough ground, and a fairly long uphill stretch on the way back (plenty of stops available!) Well behaved, sociable dogs welcome.
Sunday 10th June - Inver
Meet at Port Askaig 10.15am (note early start!) to catch the 10.30 ferry to Jura (passenger fare £2.50). A fairly easy walk,
mostly on track with some bits of rocky shoreline, to the raised beach just beyond Inver.
Return will be either on the 2.10pm or 3.25pm ferry, depending on the weather and the wishes of the group. Well behaved, sociable dogs welcome.
Sunday 27th May
Taking a day off for the start of Islay Festival of Malt and Music. Enjoy!
Sunday 13th May - Ardnave Point
Let's try again – last time, we had to abandon this due to horizontal hailstones! Meet at Ardnave Loch, 11am for a gentle amble around the coast.
Around 4 miles, 2 hours of fairly easy walking, watching out for seals and chough. Dogs will need to be on a lead or under close control.
Please remember to bring waterproofs and a snack.
Sunday 29th April - Scarrabus & Loch Cam
Part of the Scottish Outdoor Access Festival. Meet at Scarrabus Farm, 11am, for a 2 hour guided walk around the farm and surrounding area.
Dogs and their owners particularly welcome.
Sunday 18th March, Ardnave Point - meet at Ardnave Loch 11am for a gentle two hour ramble round the coast.
Sunday 1st April - Loch Lossit & Baleachdrach. A slightly longer walk around Loch Lossit and down to the Sound of Islay via Baleachdrach.
About 4 hours walking, some uphill work on the way back so good training for Walkislay! Meet 11am at Ballygrant Hall car park.
Dogs are welcome on most Walkaboutabitmore walks provided they are kept under control and kept on a lead in the vicinity of livestock.
Occasionally a walk may not be suitable for dogs, and this will be indicated on posters.
Sunday 29th May, Meet 11am at Scarrabus Farm (park in farmyard to rear of house) for a 2 hour guided walk around the farm
and surrounding hill ground with Angus Kerr. Angus will give positive advice on public access to farmland,
flagging up some common conflicts and suggesting how to avoid them. Dogs welcome. See the
Outdoor Access Scotland website
for more details of the festival.
Every Monday and Wednesday, 1.30pm at the
Islay Service Point
on Jamieson Street, Bowmore.
Every second Sunday – see
The Ileach,
local posters or call Lindy on (01496) 301338 for details.
This year, Walk Islay
starts on Saturday, 14th April. Get your boots on and get walking!
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Diary