Walk: The magic of Machir Bay

📌 Kilchoman, Isle of Islay
★★★★

Islay has a wide selection of beaches to explore, but the magic of Machir Bay is undeniable. Smooth sands stretch for two kilometres, backed by large sand dunes and the cliffs of Cnoc nam Muc – chlach. In the other direction, you won’t reach land until Newfoundland, a couple of thousand miles away. In good weather this is one of Islay’s true gems, yet it’s rarely busy: the photos on this page were taken on a sunny afternoon in mid-July! Perfect for a stroll after visiting nearby Kilchoman Distillery, if the tides are right – the beach is best at low tide, though there’s always at least some sand above water level. Using a straightforward inland track for the outward route keeps the beach hidden until you’re nearly upon it, saving the sand for the return leg.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish at minor road end just west of Kilchoman, Isle of Islay

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NR 209634

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.783157,-6.453706

❌ No public transport within 1 mi

🚗 Car park

📝 Key info

▶ 3 km / 2 mi | ▲ 10 m | ⌛ 1 hr

Features: 🏖️ Machir Bay ★★★

⬤ Easy | Clear track fades for sand and grass sections, but easy going throughout. Beach for return.

➡️ Clockwise circuit: start – track south to 🧭 NR 206632 – Machir Bay – start

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Sheep, a few seabirds, jellyfish.

Weather: Unbroken sunshine and temperature in mid teens; a little breezy.

July 2016

Machir Bay ★★★