Rubha nam Faing coastal walk, Portnahaven

Summary

Explore the coastline north of picturesque Portnahaven, with both pebble and sandy beaches, deep geos (inlets), and plenty of seals and birdlife along the way.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Undulating, indistinct coastal path, rough and boggy in places. Some minor roads. Grazing livestock - dogs to be kept under close control.

Getting there

Start

Parking area at NR167518.

Public Transport

Bus to Portnahaven.

Start Grid Ref

NR167518

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 6.5km / 4 miles
Time: 2 hours
Ascent: 150m (Profile)

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Explorer 353 - Islay North

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

There is street parking in several places in Portnahaven, but to reach a larger parking area turn left just past the speed limit sign as you drive into the village, passing the old school and soon reaching Port Wemyss. Turn right here, leaving the houses and reaching a parking area where the road turns to the right. Begin the walk from here by heading along the road to the north to the toilets, then forking left down the right hand half of the bay, past the post box.

Stage 2

The road bends right at the end of the bay, leading to a junction with the An Tigh Seinnse pub just in from the corner. Continue ahead alongside the front of the pub. The lane appears to be a dead end, but at the last house there is a path heading left to the grassy ground above shore between a fence and wall. Take this and turn right above the coastline, crossing a stile. After the stile the path becomes boggy and indistinct, rising slightly and then traversing round above the coastline across a mix of grass and rocks, with Eilean Mhic Choinnich offshore.

Stage 3

Eventually the path slopes down to the start of a wide, pebble-filled bay. A path leads a simple course across this, avoiding most of the pebbles, and heading through a small gate in a fence part way across. Pass to the left of the house at the far end of the bay, then swing right to reach the minor road at the back of the next inlet. Turn left along the road, climbing past several houses.

Stage 4

After around 800m there is a grassy parking area before a house, with a pedestrian gate on the left marked for Currie Sands. Go through the gate and steeply down the path to reach a beautiful small beach of perfect sand. Cross the back of the beach and follow a faint path as it climbs steeply up the grassy slope. Bear right at the top to continue to a gate giving access to a hard track. Turn left towards the site of a former experimental wave power station; pass through the gate into a turning area, then leave via the gate on the right.

Stage 5

Now continue with a fence on your left until it reaches the coast. The path leads round the back of a deep geo or inlet, before petering out. Continue round the coast, keeping above the rocky geos and the headland. On the north side of the point a deep geo forces you a little further inland - look down it as the rocks below are a popular place for basking seals.

Stage 6

Continue to a gap in the fence above the back of the geo, pass through and then head uphill on a faint path, atop steep slopes which drop to your left. When a fence is reached cross at the (broken) stile, then continue to a gap in a stone wall. Pass through and alongside a fence ahead to reach a gate and a rough minor road. Turn right along the road to begin the walk back. The outward route is rejoined at the house above the sandy beach; from here you can retrace your steps all the way back the way you came, via the pebble beach, or instead remain on the road until a t-junction, turning right at that point to return to Portnahaven.

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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