Stage 2: Kilchattan Bay to Port Bannatyne

1. From the parking area on the front at Kilchattan Bay walk north west along the shore road, passing the Post Office. Just before the last, imposing, house turn left up a signed path between the houses. At the end of the gardens turn right and go through a kissing gate and continue on the path through trees alongside fields. When the path emerges at a minor road, go straight across and through the kissing gate opposite to follow the path alongside the fence. Go through the fence and across a bridge into the field with the wind sock and continue alongside the fence. After the next field, a gate brings you onto Bute golf course.

2. The line of the path keeps to the left of the main course although you need to watch out for golfers. Near the shore bear right until you reach a stile over a stone wall where you head diagonally right to a smaller stile which leads onto the beach. There are great views across to Arran on a clear day and sandy Stravanan Bay is a good spot for a rest. Follow the beach for a short while and then the springy turf at the back of the bay. There is a small bridge to cross the stream here. There is a faint track which keeps between the shore and the field fence and then heads diagonally across the wider open grassy area to a signed track heading inland. Go through the gate and up the track, passing through another gate on the way to the farm buildings.

3. At Langalbuinoch Farm, keeping the buildings to your left and turn right through the farmyard gate and along the farm track to the main road. Turn left here to follow the road for a short section. Take the first lane on the right (signed), at a dip in the road, and follow it gently uphill. At a fork keep right and at a T junction turn left following the white triangle on a green post West Island Way marker. There are nice views down over farmland and to the mountains of Arran. Follow the green lane until it reaches another lane at T junction, with a gate. Turn right here and head uphill.

4. The track goes through gorse and bears left near the top onto open moorland used as sheep and cattle grazing. At the summit there is a trig point cairn and a welcome seat. The track here, known as Lord James' Ride, was once a popular charabanc outing route when Glaswegians would come in large numbers on the steamer excursions on the Clyde. Continue on the track, slightly downhill, until you turn left at a crossroads. The track now crosses open land with good views and passes three houses on the left before entering woodland.

5. Keep straight ahead at a metal farm gate and head downhill where another you go through another gate before passing the end of Loch Ascog and then Lochend Farm on the right. Keep following the farm track until it emerges at the road. Here cross diagonally right and climb the signed stile into the field on the other side. Go straight down the field and through a kissing gate and then follow the faint path which bears diagonally left down towards buildings and reaches another track at a kissing gate. Go left here and past the buildings to reach the fishery and bird hide at Loch Fad.

6. Cross the causeway and head up the road and follow this, keeping right where another road joins from the left. After climbing uphill a junction is reached. Turn right here to head towards the houses on the outskirts of Rothesay. Just before the first house, turn left up a signed path and over a stile into a field. The route here can be hard to follow, head diagonally left across the field and then keep to the left eventually going through a gateway on the left and then immediately right to join a green lane that emerges at a residential road just north of a large grey metal building, and opposite a white house. Cross the end of the road and follow the grassy path downhill. At the road turn left opposite the old school building and follow the road uphill passing a waste transfer station. At a fork keep right, before the road reaches Westland Farm turn right along a signed raised track.

7. After a gate, the path is lined with a beech hedge. Just before a gate take a sharp turn to the left (signed) onto a path. Follow this through two kissing gates looking out for the way markers. After another pedestrian gate turn left before a stone wall and through another gate into a wood. With tall pine trees on the right hand side, ignore a path coming in from the right and continue downhill, passing though another gate and then emerging onto a minor road. If finishing the stage in Port Bannatyne it is possible to turn right here and follow the road into the village. Otherwise turn left towards the modern Golf Club building. Just before the building turn right along a narrow path which bears left to head downhill through trees to reach the road near Kames Bay. Here a short walk to the right will take you into Port Bannatyne, while the West Island Way continues to the left on the third stage.

Next stage: Port Bannatyne to Rhubodach

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