Ardilistry Bay - Islay
Circular walk: 1.7 miles
what3words address for parking:
///arrive.budding.additives
A short walk, but interesting, and very peaceful on the shoreline.
NB: This walk is really only viable at low(ish) tide.
The what3words address takes you to a small parking area opposite Tigh Rhaonastil where there is enough space to park two vehicles comfortably and three at a pinch. Please park considerately and don’t be tempted to park in a passing place; despite being a very minor road some large lorries (and bin lorries) use this road quite frequently.
A path leads towards the sea from the parking area through woodland and soon reaches a stone wall at the shoreline. A ruined house is on the right. Turn left and follow the wall until you come to a gate that leads onto the shore.
The river is shallow enough to ford here around low tide and allows access to the other side of the bay. We walked around the bay, mostly on the shore, to Eilean na Banaraich where we stopped, relaxed and enjoyed the solitude before heading back.
You could retrace your steps but we turned inland just before crossing the river and followed it for a hundred yards or so. Pass through a gate in the deer fence. You will see Ardilistry Cottage ahead, between two low outcrops. Keep the cottage and both outcrops to your right. A faint quadbike track leads to the access track for the house and meets it just before it joins the road. These fields often have sheep (and deer!) in them so please keep any dogs on a lead.
It was a short walk but good for the soul!
walking
PeterHadfield on scottexservices.com