📌 Port Ellen, Isle of Islay
★★★
The first time you spot the lighthouse at Carraig Fhada might be from the ferry to Islay, marking the western edge of the narrow channel into the harbour at Port Ellen. The area is also an enjoyable corner to explore once ashore, with a short concrete causeway built haphazardly across jumbled boulders to this unusually-shaped aid to navigation (built as a memorial to Lady Ellenor Campbell in 1832). This coastal walk also visits the sandy beaches of Kilnaughton Bay and Tràigh Bhàn, one either side of the lighthouse: a perfect, peaceful stroll on a calm evening.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish by cemetery on minor road 1.5 mi west of Port Ellen, Isle of Islay
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NR 344456
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.630778,-6.221749
❌ No public transport within 1 mi – nearest bus stop is on A846 (1.5 mi)
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 4 km / 2 mi | ▲ 80 m | ⌛ 1.5 hr
Features: 🏖️ Kilnaughton Bay; 🌊 Carraig Fhada lighthouse; 🏖️ Tràigh Bhàn
⬤ Easy | Varied: minor roads and tracks, sandy beaches, coastal path and one short, steepish ascent. Burn to cross on sandy beach at Kilnaughton Bay (easiest at low tide, or with a big leap).
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit, joining briefly in middle: start – east then southeast to north end of Kilnaughton Bay – south end of bay – Carraig Fhada lighthouse – Tràigh Bhàn – join track at 🧭 NR 344443 – south end of Kilnaughton Bay (again) – start by direct road
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: A heron and lots of tiny fish in Kilnaughton Bay; perhaps an otter far out in the bay.
Weather: Weak sunshine through an incoming cloud sheet; windless with temperature in mid to high teens.
July 2016
