Walkislay is almost upon us yet again, with 15 walks on offer this year. Beginning on Sat 11th April with a walk led by Donald James MacPhee, we will be meeting at Dunlossit Kennels at 9.30 am for a 10am start. We head out past Lossit Loch and out towards Glen Logan, down to An Cladach on the Sound of Islay, follow the shoreline to Baleachdrach, and then return to The Kennels through the woods and past Lossit. A really great walk to start the week with.

On Sunday, we have the option of 2 walks. Lindy and Bryony will be leading from Bunnahabhain out to Giur- Bheinn. Well behaved, sociable dogs are invited to attend, no fighters permitted! Meet at 10.15am. As an alternative, meet with Florrie and Maggie at the Ramsay Hall, down at Port Ellen at 11 am for shared transport for their walk out down Glen Astle. This walk was not previously in the walkislay website. In the evening, there will be a musical evening at 9pm in The Port Charlotte Hotel.

On Monday we head over to Jura where two shorter walks will be led by Louise Gregory. Her first starts from Craighouse, takes in Keills and then out to the cemetery to see some of the historical headstones. You may get a bite to eat at the hotel when you return. After lunch, Louise’s afternoon walk commences from the Three-Arches Bridge and goes out to Ardfernal passing Knockchrome. Please meet at Port Askaig at 9.10am for shared transport. Also on Jura on Monday, Susan and Keith will meet with you at Port Askaig at 9.45. Their walk is limited in numbers, but there is still some space available as we have laid on extra transport to get you along to Jura House. From Jura House, we drop down to the shore through the gardens and return along the shoreline to Feolin. A chance to look back to Islay, and see any stragglers from DJ’s walk... There is a Visitor’s Welcome Evening at 8pm in the Gaelic College. Continue reading....On Tuesday, Scott and Allan will lead you from Gortantoid, round by Bolsa up to Rubh a’Mhail and back down to Bunnahabhain. Meet at the Market at Bridgend at 9.15am for shared transport. At 9.45, again starting from the Market, Jack and Rae, will lead another walk, out to Knockdon, up through Glen Drolsay and over the hill and down to Gortantoid. Transport will be provided for both walks back down to the starting point for you to pick up your own transport. For those wishing an easier walk, meet with Andy Schofield, at the carpark at Upper Killeyan, at 10am for a circular walk on the Oa out to the American Monument and return round the coastline to Killeyan.

Wednesday, and we sail over to Colonsay for a walk out to Balnahard. There will be transport on to get us up to Kiloran Bay, and save you some legwork on the roads! We meet with James and Michal at Port Askaig at 9.40 am sharp. We will return to Islay on the ferry arriving at the back of 7 pm. For those, not wishing to go overseas, James and Mary Macaulay will lead us on one of their walks, Meet with them at 1.30 pm in Port Ellen.

Thursday morning, meet in with Iain and Walter at Kilchiaran at 9.15 am for a walk over the hill to Rockside, where we will stop for lunch before returning through the dunes and back over the hill passing Granny’s Rock. There will be the opportunity to purchase your lunch at the Distillery rather than having to make another lot of sandwiches up! Also today, Rory will be leading a shorter walk from the Visitor Centre at Loch Gruinart, down to the hide and along the Woodland Trail. In the evening, Malcolm Ogilvie will give an illustrated talk on Islay’s wildlife at The Islay Natural History Trust, Port Charlotte at 8pm.

Friday, and our last day. Meet with Tom Dunn at the car park opposite the Ramsay Hall, Port Ellen at 10 am for shared transport. Tom’s walk will start from Ardtalla, and go out to Proaig and then on to MacArthur’s Head. A great chance to see Islay, Jura and all around from a different viewpoint. The last time you need to make those dreaded sandwiches! For our final walk, Catherine will lead a walk from Loch Grinart Visitor centre, meeting at 6pm. She will take us up onto the moorland, before dropping back down to Moulin and returning along the sea wall returning across the flats to our starting point. There will be soup and sandwiches provided for you on your return to the Visitor Centre.

For more information on any of the walks please check on www.walkislay.co.uk and should you wish to go with Susan and Keith on Jura, please contact me on 850 382 to book your place. We look forward to seeing you all again in April, our regulars are coming again as well as several new faces, including a lady from the United States who is coming over for the week. All we need now is - some decent weather please! Ian Brooke

This story was published with kind permission of the Ileach local newspaper.

Tag: walking walk week walk islay event