The Isle of Islay in the Inner Hebrides is a special place and rightly famous for its whiskies. There are eight distilleries on the island and the whiskies they produce are well-renowned for their strong, peaty and robust flavours.

Islay is also an important area for wildlife - especially birdlife. You can see more than 200 different species of birds - almost 100 of which breed here. So the island is rightly popular with birdwatchers too. 

Port Askaig is the main ferry port for the island and looks over to the lovely island of Jura, with its distinctive 'Paps'.

This walking route starts from Port Askaig by heading steeply uphill along the road following a right bend and at a sharp left bend go though a metal gate. Continue along a path which climbs between trees and follows the coast.

Pass Caol Ila Distillery (which is well worth a visit), and turn right over a stile to follow a lane by the distillery. Turn left along the lane and continue upwards to rejoin the road.

Turn right and walk 4 kms to Ballygrant. Turn left along a lane signposted to Mulindry taking the left-hand lane at a fork. After 90 metres turn left through a metal gate and walk along a woodland track, then turning left at a T-junction to continue along the shores of Loch Ballygrant.

When the track leaves the loch, continue along the edge of the woodlands. The route leads along the side of the Lily Loch.

Curve around the head of the loch and head uphill, then curve left to go through a metal gate, keeping to the track until it decends to a T-junction. Here, turn left and go through the metal kissing gate beside a lodge, to the road. Turn right downhill to return to Port Askaig.

A regular bus service runs from Bowmore to Port Askaig on the A846, timetable information is available from Bowmore Visitor Information Centre. Information about travelling around Islay is available on the Islay & Jura website.

Port Askaig to Ballygrant Walking Route, Isle of Islay