Sanaigmore Bay, Rhinns of Islay

Summary

Explore the beautiful beach at Sanaigmore Bay before heading along the coast to discover the perfect hidden beach at Port Ghille Greamhair.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Coastal paths and beach - optional steep descent to 2nd beach. Livestock and ground nesting birds - dogs must be tightly controlled - sheep have been driven off cliffs and birds have failed to raise young in this area due to badly controlled dogs.

Getting there

Start

Sanaigmore.

Public Transport

None to start. .

Start Grid Ref

NR237706

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 4.3km / 2.75 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Ascent: 25m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

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Explorer 353 - Islay North

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

Follow the B8018 north to the road end at Sanaigmore. There is parking next to the memorial before the farm buildings are reached. The memorial is to 241 Irish emigrants, many women and children, who lost their lives when their boat was wrecked off the coast in 1847, 108 bodies were recovered and buried here. The walk starts by heading past the farm buildings. Continue ahead where the track forks to pass the barns. Turn right to go through the narrow gap in the stone wall and then follow the wall briefly to the right to join a grassy track; turn left along this.

Stage 2

Follow the faint grassy track for some distance; it eventually heads through another gateway. It eventually becomes fainter; curve left on rougher ground to head towards the sea, then right again almost until a small burn. Go left here to reach a semi-circular pebble beach. Turn left to cross this small bay and the rough grassland beyond, aiming back towards the farmhouse.

Stage 3

Eventually the sandy beach at Sanaigmore comes into view. Keep to the left of the fence until a gate allows access to the beach. Go through this and cross the stream (the farmhouse is away up to the left). Cross a bit of sand and continue on short grass until a gate on the left at the corner of the stone wall.

Stage 4

Go through this and follow a very faint path along the coast which heads across grass at first and then along the back of a pebble bay before winding between rocky outcrops staying fairly near the coast. This is rough going in places and can be boggy. Eventually you are rewarded with a view down onto the sheltered beach of Port Ghille Greamhair sited in a deep inlet.

Stage 5

To get down to the beach follow the cliffs inland until nearly level with the back of the sands, a clear but steep and narrow path winds down the cliff (alternatively you can walk further inland until you reach flat ground).

Stage 6

To return to the the start retrace your steps a short way from the steep path down and pick up a faint track (boggy in places) which heads parallel to the coast at first. After a while it turns inland aiming for the corner of a stone wall enclosure and ruin. Pass this on the seaward (left) side and from here head diagonally left uphill to reach a gate in the stone wall. Go through this to return to the memorial.

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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