Laggan Point circuit, Bowmore

Summary

This fairly level walk from Bowmore offers many bird watching opportunities and a chance to visit a beach. There is a fair bit of tarmac and some boggy sections when out on the headland. The return section on the main road can be busy and not suitable for children.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Tarmac lanes, tracks, grassy pathless coast with boggy sections. 1.5km on main road with no pavement.

Getting there

Start

Bowmore.

Public Transport

Bus to Bowmore.

Start Grid Ref

NR310598

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 13.8km / 8.5 miles
Time: 3.5 - 4 hours
Ascent: 80m (Profile)

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Explorer 352 - Islay South

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Start from the centre of Bowmore and walk up the main street towards the Round Church. Bowmore was a planned village, built from 1768 onwards originally to relocate residents of a village near Islay House. The Round Church itself is worth a detour and is usually open during daytime hours. It has a large seated gallery upstairs and can hold up to 500 people. Otherwise, take a right turn at the crossroads before reaching the church into Flora Street, then left onto Moss Road.

Stage 2

The road leaves Bowmore and passes the bonded warehouses of the distillery. Turn right here, ignoring the housing on your right and following a minor road heading towards the coast. The distillery at Bowmore was built in 1779 making it the oldest on the island and the second oldest in Scotland. Follow this lane for 3km all the way to the island's recycling centre. It's a long stretch on tarmac but there are good views across the water to Port Charlotte.

Stage 3

During the second world war, flying boats were operated from a base in Loch Indaal, although winter storms caused many operational difficulties and resulted in one fatal accident when nine airmen were killed. More information about this can be found in the Islay Museum in Port Charlotte. Bear right at the recycling centre along the lane towards the farm at Gartbreck. Before the farm buildings are reached turn left, heading through a gate.

Stage 4

A fainter grassy track now leads along the foreshore. This is an excellent area for bird-watching, with oystercatchers, plovers, terns and various types of ducks all often seen here.

Stage 5

The track fades to a path and follows the shore, passing through a farm gate which may have to be climbed. Further on, the path runs out and there's a very boggy section. Pass a ruined building, then continue around the back of the small bay. A boggy track then climbs through a narrow gap between rocky outcrops.

Stage 6

The track becomes clearer but remains very wet; pass through a gate to reach Lochan na Nigheadaireachd. The track passes east side of the loch before reaching a t-junction. Turn left here towards the houses, then at a stony track, opposite a house, turn right towards the farm and the shore, passing to the left of Laggan Farm with good views ahead to the vast beach of Laggan Bay, stretching away for 8km to Kintra.

Stage 7

A smaller mixed pebble and sandy beach can be visited by detouring right when the track heads inland. Otherwise continue on the track as it passes through farmland before eventually reaching the main Port Ellen to Bowmore road. This can be busy at times so cross and turn left to walk on the far side facing the traffic. After about 1.5km look for a narrow grassy track off the left side of the road and take this to rejoin the outward route. The track can be a little overgrown in summer but it soon reaches the minor road near Ronnachmore; turn right here to begin retracing your steps.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Islay, Jura & Colonsay Hotels

Islay, Jura & Colonsay B&B

Islay, Jura & Colonsay cottages

Islay, Jura & Colonsay hostels

Glamping and Camping

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