Dùn Uragaig & Loch an Sgoltaire, Kiloran Bay

Summary

Climb up from the picture-perfect Kiloran Bay through the crofting settlement of Uragaig before exploring a clifftop fort and pebble beach. The return crosses rough moorland alongside Loch an Sgoltaire whcih can be boggy and overgrown followed by a final quiet road section.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Minor road, pathless coastal section, overgrown and boggy lochside path, navigation skills needed. Grazing livestock so dogs must be under tight control.

Getting there

Start

Car park at southwest side of Kiloran Bay.

Public Transport

None to start. A bicycle is perhaps the best means of transport on Colonsay.

Start Grid Ref

NR399976

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.5km / 5.25 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 132m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Park at the small parking area on the southwest side of Kiloran Bay near the end of the public road. From here continue north west along the road on foot towards Uragaig. There are wonderful views over the yellow sands of the bay as the road winds gently uphill and then turns to pass a cluster of croft houses. The road turns sharp right between a large agricultural shed and Creag nan Ubhal B&B to head down the, now rougher, track to pass a low cottage next to the road.

Stage 2

Turn right after the cottage (signed for The Beach), still following the track to head towards a single white house. Just before this house turn left through a gate and follow a grassy track across the field. At the far side go through the gate and here you have a choice. To visit the beach at Port nam Fliuchan bear left after the gate still following the grassy track to reach the raised pebble beach and the dramatic cove which is well worth exploring.

Stage 3

If you detoured to the beach, return to the gate (don't go back through it) and now head up next to the fence on a vague path to head out to visit Dun Uragaig. At the top of a short climb (another gate is visible to the right) bear left on a grassy quad-bike track to head west towards the site of the old fort keeping the fence on your right. Soon cross a stile on the right and cross the narrow band of higher ground linking Dun Uragaig to the main coastline. The remains of seven buildings have been found on this rocky outcrop which has a good strategic position on high cliffs with good views in both directions. It is also a great place to watch seabirds especially during the nesting season.

Stage 4

Retrace your steps back over the stile and then to the gate and back to the road. Turn right to head back to the road, round the bends left and right and past the cluster of houses at Creagan. Just before the crags up to your right look out for a wooden sign on your right (Footpath to the Loch) and pedestrian gate - they can be obscured by the bushes in summer. Follow the vague (and boggy) path below the crags, eventually continue to reach a low point on the craggy moor ahead. Soon after another gate Loch nam Sgoltaire is reached. Whilst it is possible to follow the east side of the Loch, the going on the west side is clearer and slightly easier going although still boggy and overgrown. Turn right (west) to cross the small dam at the outflow and a stile over the fence and climb to the next stile a short distance away.

Stage 5

The route now follows the western side of Loch an Sgoltaire (Loch of the Cleaver), winding through heather and crossing a couple of boggy areas and burns - it can be very overgrown in summer. The island with the Victorian-era summer house on it was once the site of a sixteenth century fort and the loch is also popular with fishermen. As the route nears the far end of the Loch head away from the fence to skirt round a very boggy area and cross a burn before heading towards the water purification building. Go through a farm gate and descend to cross the burn before reaching the building and bearing right onto the access track.

Stage 6

Follow this track down to the road (B8086) and turn left after the cattlegrid along the minor road, keeping left where the road branches and turning left uphill where the entrance to Colonsay House goes straight ahead. The road skirts the grounds of Colonsay House which can be visited by taking the next (signed) entrance on the right (check Colonsay House website for opening times for the garden and cafe -the wider woodland grounds can be visited anytime). Otherwise continue along the road back towards Kiloran Bay.

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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