Laggan Point circuit, Bowmore

Summary

An easy walk from Bowmore with many bird watching opportunities and a chance to visit a beach. The return section on main road can be busy and not suitable for children.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Tracks, grassy pathless coast, 2km on main road with no pavement.

Public Transport

Bus to Bowmore.

Start

Bowmore. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 14km / 8.75 miles
Time: 3.5 - 4 hours
Ascent: 49m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NR310598

Mapping and GPS

Install our App FREE
Download our route descriptions and use offline with GPS mapping

Want to sponsor this route?

Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (0)

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 at the top of the street is worth a visit and is usually open during daytime hours. It has a large seated gallery upstairs and can hold up to 500 people. From here start the walk by following the main road towards Port Ellen for a short distance uphill past the last houses and then past the bonded warehouses of the distillery.

Stage 2

Immediately after the warehouses turn right down a minor road passing the warehouses and 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. At the bottom of the road turn left following the sign for the Recycling Centre, and follow this lane for 3km all the way past the tip, 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 Inadaal, 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 past the tip along the lane towards the farm at Gartbreck. Before the farm buildings are reached turn left in front of a fence to head towards a metal kissing gate. Go through this and turn left 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 4

A grassy track follows the shore, passing through a farm gate which may have to be climbed. Further on, after a pathless section, a ruined building is reached. Continue past this across the back of a small bay to pass between rocky outcrops on a faint grassy track. This becomes clearer; pass through a gate to reach Lochan na Nigheadaireachd. The track leads round the 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 5

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 track on 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. You can avoid the main road past the round church by turning left just before the bonded warehouses to return to the centre of Bowmore.

Route Profile

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support Walkhighlands?

Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to Walkhighlands.