Work in Progress

This path was upgraded some years ago but there were still a few drainage issues and the surface was in need of improvement in places. A wet muddy area next to Bowmore Distillery has been addressed, and a new section of path created alongside Islay High School.

A rough path has been waymarked to guide walkers to the West Tower. This area is one where there are no livestock issues and it is never used by shooting parties, so it is suitable for dog walking all year round

There have been problems here with vehicles being driven onto the sand dunes (and even onto the beach), causing serious erosion to dune system, which is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. Cars often get stuck, and the neighbouring farmer then is expected to help – which, much to his credit, he always does. Now a new parking area has been created and a kissing gate installed in the stock fence leading to the beach, so that the main gate no longer needs to be left unlocked.

Here there are several miles of well-surfaced track, offering easy walking in a beautiful situation. Formerly, there were no formal parking arrangements, and the most-used entrance to the woods was not wheelchair accessible (or particularly accessible for pushchairs). A new large car park has been created, and alterations made to several gates to improve access.

This old carriage track had become flooded and overgrown with rhododendrons. It has now been reopened to provide a new circular walk.

This well used route is relatively easy walking, but boasted no fewer than three major obstacles right at its start, which made access to anyone with any sort of mobility problem very difficult. The stile has now been replaced with a gate, the path has been regraded and the rotten - and very slippery - footbridge replaced.

Parking was an issue here, with cars sometimes continuing towards Ardtalla Farm then pulling off onto the fields adjoining the road. The ground is often soft here and easily damaged. A hard parking area has been provided.

This path with steps and handrail had fallen into disrepair; the gate, although in good enough condition, also need a tidy up. The picnic bench had vanished completely, but has now been rediscovered.

As at Ardtalla, parking was an issue here, with cars causing damage to the verges and no clear indication of where parking was acceptable. A new hard parking area has been provided, along with a polite sign asking visitors to park before the farmyard.

The main problem on this route was the presence of two very high locked gates in the deer fence at either end of the Staoisha forestry plantation. Adding self closing pedestrian gates alongside them has made this route much easier for cyclists, pram pushers, owners of large dogs and anyone with a fear of heights! A parking area was also provided at Balulive. Still to be completed on this route is the repair of the bridge at the Bunnahabhain end – this is being carried out in co-operation with Islay Estates and Burn Stewart Distillers.

• Big Strand North - A new parking area before the dunes, to prevent erosion of the dune area.
• Bowmore Battery - Upgrading of this path and a new section of footpath alongside the High School.
• Weir’s Bay, Port Ellen - Reinstatement of the footbridge and path.
• Laggan Plantation - A new dedicated dog walk.
• Newton Footpath - A footpath linking Newton with the new Bridgend car park path.
• West Tower Plantation - Another dedicated dog walk, near Whin Park.