Mull of Oa and the American Monument

Summary

The Mull of Oa is one of the most dramatic locations on Islay - the furthest point of the rugged, cliff-girt Oa peninsula. It is crowned by the 131m high American Monument, a moving memorial to the men who lost their lives in two shipwrecks off Islay in 1918. The route is waymarked and lies within an RSPB reserve.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Moorland and clifftop path, some boggy patches.

Public Transport

None.

Start

Car park at end of minor road on Mull of Oa. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 3.5km / 2.25 miles
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Ascent: 52m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NR281422

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

There is a car park at the end of the public road on the Oa, with picnic tables and an information board. Begin the walk by heading along the track leading west. When this bends left, head through a kissing gate ahead on the right to pick up a path. This leads on to a second kissing gate giving access to an open pasture. Continue ahead, keeping a fence on your left, until a path leads away to the right and reaches another kissing gate. The tall monument now comes into view ahead and the path leads on towards it.

Stage 2

The cliff-edge is reached just before the monument itself. The memorial commemorates the loss of two troop ships in 1918; on 5 February the Tuscania was torpedoed 7 miles off the coast here with the loss of 200 American soldiers and 60 British crew, whilst later that year a further 351 US servicemen and 80 British crew were lost when the H.M.S. Otranto sank off Machir Bay, following a collision. It's a haunting and dramatic spot with wide views of Northern Ireland on a good day.

Stage 3

Retrace the last few steps to the monument and then take the path which runs parallel to the cliff-edge to the east. Wild goats can often be seen here, but look out also for choughs - rare crows with red legs and beaks - which are resident in the area. There are grand views looking back to the monument.

Stage 4

The view ahead along the dramatic coastline takes in the projecting spur of Dun Athad - site of an iron age fort - and Beinn Mhor, the highest point on the Oa. Cross a kissing gate, then head half left away from the coast to a second kissing gate. Marker posts indicate the way as the path leads towards the white-washed farmhouse at Upper Killeyan.

Stage 5

Pass through another gate to join a track passing to the right of the house. Fork right and follow the track back to the car park at the start of the walk.

Route Profile

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