📌 Saligo, Isle of Islay
★★★
Saligo Bay’s magnetic pull doesn’t end with its sandy beaches. The surrounding coastline is a fascinating exhibition of rock architecture, with twisted strata, cliffs and natural arches alternating for miles to the south. This figure-of-8 loop (with the start at the centre point) visits the most accessible parts of these, though the terrain is still rough and pathless at times. On a clear day, be sure to admire the prominent Paps of Jura to the east, visible from the higher parts of the route. The arch or blowhole at the southern end of the loop is actually one of the less interesting features, but makes a logical landmark for which to aim before turning back. For more photos of the beaches, check out their separate feature page (link below).
📷 Chronological photo guide
Military defences by the track at the start 
Frosty morning 
Saligo Bay 
Saligo Bay 
Heading along the road for the southern part of the walk 
Saligo River mouth 
View north from the south part of the loop 
Minor headland 
Paps of Jura from the headland 
Natural arch / blowhole at the south end of the route 
Sunrise over the Saligo bogs
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at minor road bend at Saligo, Isle of Islay
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NR 211664
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.810120,-6.452445
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Space for a few cars – don’t block gate
📝 Key info
▶ 5 km / 3 mi | ▲ 30 m | ⌛ 2 hr
Features: 🏖️ Saligo Bay ★★★, coastline & arches
⬤ Moderate | Mix of grassy tracks, informal paths and pathless sections. Some rocky sections if you follow the coastline closely, and a few boggy areas.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit to north, then anticlockwise circuit to south: start – Saligo Bay main beach – north beach – return to start – natural arches at G.R.: NR 200657 by coastline – start via direct track
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Sheep, rabbits, and hundreds of geese in nearby fields.
Weather: Clear skies & light winds after a beautiful sunrise; just above freezing with frozen ground.
January 2018
