Islay - 09-16/04/2022
Islay is the most southern island of the Inner Hebrides and is the 5th largest of the Scottish islands. Administratively it is in Argyll.
Caledonian Macbrayne ferries operate from Kennacraig at the north end of the Kintyre peninsula with a 2 hour crossing to Port Askaig or Port Ellen and from Oban via Colonsay on a 3½ hour crossing. We travelled in flat calm conditions from Kennacraig to Port Askaig on the way to Islay and from Port Ellen back to Kennacraig in somewhat less pleasant conditions.
Caledonian Macbrayne ferries operate from Kennacraig at the north end of the Kintyre peninsula with a 2 hour crossing to Port Askaig or Port Ellen and from Oban via Colonsay on a 3½ hour crossing. We travelled in flat calm conditions from Kennacraig to Port Askaig on the way to Islay and from Port Ellen back to Kennacraig in somewhat less pleasant conditions.
Islay is partially divided between Loch Gruinart and Loch Indaal, with the main island to the east and the Rinns of Islay to the west. A promontory to the south of the island is known as the Oa.
We stayed at Coullabus - marked with a red A on the map, just south of Loch Gruinart. 09/04/2022 - Our first outing, straight after arrival on the island was to Machir Bay, in an unsuccessful search for the Belted Beauty moth. After obtaining a few provisions at Port Charlotte we checked-in to out self-catering accommodation and unpacked the car. Almost as soon as we arrived a White-tailed Eagle flew over the cottage. After this we visited the RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinart - which holds large wintering populations of Barnacle and Greenland White-fronted Geese Bird images are on a separate page. |
10/04/2022 - In the morning we visited the other location of the the RSPB reserve on the Mull of Oa. Here there is a monument to American sailors lost off Islay during WW1. Apart from the magnificent coastal scenery the highlights for us were a large flock of Twite around the car parking area and a Red-billed Chough. Picked up some more provisions from the co-op in Bowmore and then Alison had an afternoon reading while I walked at Loch Skerrols.
11/04/2022 - In the morning we had a very windy, but dry, walk around Ardnave point (at the north end of the Rinns of Islay) on the beach route. In the afternoon I had a very windy cycle along the east shore of Loch Gruinart.
12/04/2022 - In the morning we walked around Sanaigmore Bay. In the afternoon we walked around Loch Balligrant - where we had our first sighting of an otter for this trip.
13/04/2022 - Returned to Ardnave point and this time did the slightly more inland higher route. This time we searched the fence posts carefully and found 10 male and 3 female Belted Beauty, as well as seeing 13 Red-billed Chough. In the afternoon we did some birding by Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart
14/04/2022 - Stayed in for the morning due to heavy rain. In the afternoon we walked from Porthnahaven to the geos at Rubha na Faing
15/04/2022 - Jura - see separate page
11/04/2022 - In the morning we had a very windy, but dry, walk around Ardnave point (at the north end of the Rinns of Islay) on the beach route. In the afternoon I had a very windy cycle along the east shore of Loch Gruinart.
12/04/2022 - In the morning we walked around Sanaigmore Bay. In the afternoon we walked around Loch Balligrant - where we had our first sighting of an otter for this trip.
13/04/2022 - Returned to Ardnave point and this time did the slightly more inland higher route. This time we searched the fence posts carefully and found 10 male and 3 female Belted Beauty, as well as seeing 13 Red-billed Chough. In the afternoon we did some birding by Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart
14/04/2022 - Stayed in for the morning due to heavy rain. In the afternoon we walked from Porthnahaven to the geos at Rubha na Faing
15/04/2022 - Jura - see separate page