Loch Indaal Way: Port Charlotte to Bruichladdich

Summary

The Loch Indaal Way is a one of only a few easy, flat, off-road routes on Islay. Linking the Port Mor Centre just outside the picturesque village of Port Charlotte with Bruichladdich and its distillery, the route includes optional short detours to visit a lighthouse and small beach. You can return by bus as described, or alternatively walk back (double the distance/time stated), perhaps after a distillery tour.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Flat, surfaced cycle path, optional rougher detours with steps, grass and livestock.

Getting there

Start

Port Mor Community Centre, just south of Port Charlotte.

Public Transport

A bus route runs alongside the walk, linking the start and end.

Start Grid Ref

NR247576

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 4.5km / 2.75 miles
Time: 1 hour (one way)
Ascent: 40m (Profile)

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Explorer 353 - Islay North

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The route begins from the community centre and cafe at Port Mor, west of the centre of Port Charlotte (you can join the walk from the village if preferred, starting from Stage 2). Begin the walk by talking the cycleway that runs between the community centre and the road, passing to the left of the children's playpark. Soon the route joins the road and follows the pavement into Port Charlotte. As the centre of the village is reached you can bear right down An Rubha to follow a lane past the harbour. It rejoins the main road at the hotel. Turn right along this, crossing the bridge. If time allows you can visit the Museum of Islay Life which has a very interesting and varied display, particularly photos of Port Charlotte when the distillery was open and details of the role of the island during the second world war.

Stage 2

From here the official route continues along the pavement, but you can make a slightly rougher coastal detour to visit the lighthouse. To do this, head down past the front of the restaurant building, then turn left to walk on the outside of the coastal fence, soon going through a gate to head away from the small sandy beach aiming towards the lighthouse at Rubh'an Duin.

Stage 3

Follow the path along the coast, through another gate near a house, and then another gate to reach the lighthouse. Now turn left to head back to the official Loch Indaal way cyclepath. Go through the gate and turn right to continue along the Loch Indaal Way (if you didn't detour to the lighthouse the pavement route from Port Charlotte will bring you to this point).

Stage 4

The route continues alongside Loch Indaal, crossing two bridges and passing a church on the left.

Stage 5

Soon a granite war memorial is reached. It commemorates the 48 who gave their lives from the Kilchoman Parish in the two world wars. There is a short optional detour to Port Ban beach here - follow the path around the back of the memorial and down steps to reach the shore.

Stage 6

Return up to the cycle path and turn right to continue along it. Eventually it joins the pavement and leads into the village of Bruichladdich and its distillery. The distillery dates back to 1881 but was mothballed in 1994, before being restored and reopened by a group of private investors and later bought by the Remy Cointreau group; it also makes The Botanist gin. There's a bus stop opposite the distillery visitor 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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