Beinn Mhòr and the Mull of Oa

Summary

This dramatic cliff-top walk runs from the American Monument at the Mull of Oa, following the coastline past the dramatic headland of Dun Athad before climbing to the summit of Beinn Mhor, the highest hill on the Oa peninsula.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Clifftop path, rough pathless heather, some boggy patches.

Getting there

Start

Car park at end of minor road on Mull of Oa.

Public Transport

None.

Start Grid Ref

NR281422

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 7.6km / 4.75 miles
Time: 3 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 252m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Beinn Mhòr (Islay)

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Explorer 352 - Islay South

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Walk Description

User reports (5)

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 continuing along the track on foot. 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 along the path with a fence on your left, until a path leads away to the right and reaches another kissing gate. The American Monument now comes into view ahead. The path - soon on a boardwalk - 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; the Tuscania and the Otranto, and commands superb views out to Northern Ireland.

Stage 3

Retrace the last few steps to the monument before taking the marked path which runs parallel to the cliff-edge to the east; there's one near the edge of the cliffs, and another parallel that keeps safely back from the edge. 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 with Beinn Mhòr beyond. After another boardwalk the path passes through a kissing gate, then across a boggy area. Soon a seat is reached and the path bears half left to pass through another kissing gate. After this leave the waymarked path, instead continuing ahead, descending across the slope eastwards towards the Killeyan burn.

Stage 5

The burn is crossed at a very boggy area above where it flows into a ravine. On the far side, follow the borken fenceline to the right, then when a gate is reached pass through. Continue along the far side of the fence, then follow a faint path that keeps above the Sruthan Rabhairt burn. Cross this burn and then bear right along a fence to another gate - passing through this.

Stage 6

The route now leads across open heather moorland. The spectacular promontory of Dun Athad seen over to the right was once the site of a fort but is now an important protected site for rare (schedule 1) nesting birds; disturbing them is a criminal offence and so please keep well away from the headland and aim straight for Beinn Mhor.

Stage 7

The next objective of the walk is the summit of Beinn Mhor, the next peak along the coastline. The easiest way to reach it is to head across the moorland until a gentler slope leads up towards the summit, soon picking up a narrow path. This heads round the bumpy ground until a short detour leads up to the trig point atop a rocky outcrop. With its coastal position and status as the highest point on the Oa peninsula, Beinn Mhòr is a superb viewpoint.

Stage 8

It is possible to continue eastwards on pathless terrain to eventually pass through Inerval and join the Carraig Fhada walk (or all of this could be done as part of an epic challenging walk around the Oa, starting along the coast at Kintra and the Soldier's Rock). However, our route turns back from Beinn Mhor, bypassing Dun Athad but continuing back to the wooden walkway over the Sruthan Rabhairt. Once back across this bear right to head up to the whitewashed farmhouse at Upper Killeyan. Turn right along the track here to return to the car park.

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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