Walking on Jura, Islay and Colonsay
23 wild walks in the Southern Hebrides
Walking on Jura, Islay and Colonsay
23 wild walks in the Southern Hebrides
Guidebook to Jura, Scarba, Islay and Colonsay in the Hebrides, describing 22 walks plus a 5-day 89km trek along Jura's remote west coast. The routes range from 6.5 to 25km and cover rough - and often pathless - terrain suitable for fit, competent walkers. Even the coastal walks offer challenges.A guidebook to 23 walks and treks on the Isles of Jura, Islay and Colonsay as well as neighbouring Oronsay and Scarba. Exploring the beautiful scenery of the southern Hebrides, the routes are suitable for experienced walkers.
The 22 day walks range in length from 7 to 25km (4–16 miles) and can be linked to create your own itinerary. A challenging 5-day 89km (55 mile) trek along Jura’s remote west coast is also described.
- 1:50,000 OS maps included for each walk
- Detailed information on accommodation and public transport
- Notes on the islands' bothies and wild-camping recommendations
- Highlights include the round of the Paps of Jura
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781852849795
Availability
Published
Published
6 Aug 2019
Edition
Third
Pages
240
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.40cm
Weight
270g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device.
CONTENTS
Map key
Overview map
Introduction
Jura
Islay
Colonsay
History
Geology
Wildlife
Getting to the Southern Hebrides
Getting between the islands
The routes
Maps and route-finding
Safety and emergencies
What to take
Using this guide
Jura
Walk 1 The Gulf of Corryvreckan
Walk 2 Road End to Glengarrisdale
Walk 3 The west coast walk
Day 1 Ardlussa or Kinuachdrachd to Glengarrisdale
Day 2 Glengarrisdale to Shian Bay
Day 3 Shian Bay to Cruib Lodge
Day 4 Cruib Lodge to Glenbatrick Bay
Day 5 Glenbatrick Bay to Feolin Ferry
Day 5A Glenbatrick Bay to the A846 via Glen Batrick
Walk 4 North Jura coast and glens
Walk 5 Tarbert to Cruib Lodge bothy
Walk 6 Glengarrisdale to Cruib across Jura’s northern hills
Walk 7 Ardlussa to Corpach Bay and Am Miadar
Walk 8 The Paps of Jura
Walk 9 Evans’ Walk to Glenbatrick Bay and return
Walk 10 Glas Bheinn and Dubh Bheinn
Scarba
Walk 11 Cruach Scarba
Islay
Walk 12 Rhuvaal and the north-west coast
Walk 13 An Cladach, McArthur’s Head and the Sound of Islay
Walk 14 An Cladach–Beinn Bheigier circuit
Walk 15 Beinn na Caillich and Beinn Bheigier from Ardtalla
Walk 16 The Oa peninsula
Walk 17 Sanaigmore to Kilchiaran
Walk 18 Ardnave Point
Colonsay
Walk 19 Around Oronsay
Walk 20 South Colonsay coast
Walk 21 Lower Kilchattan to Kiloran Bay
Walk 22 North Colonsay coast
Walk 23 Scalasaig to Kiloran Bay along the Old Road
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Walks on other islands
Appendix C Useful contacts
Appendix D Glossary
Appendix E Further reading
Seasons
Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, though these routes can be walked all year round. Winter can be wet and wild with short days, and in summer midges and bracken can be a real problem.
Centres
JURA - Feolin, Craighouse, Tarbert, Ardlussa, Kinuachdrachd, Glengarrisdale, Ruantallain, Cruib, Glenbatrick Bay ISLAY - Port Askaig, Port Ellen, Port Charlotte, Bowmore, Bridgend, Ballygrant, Bunnahabhain, Ardbeg COLONSAY - Scalasaig, Oronsay, Kilchattan, Kiloran SCARBA - Kilmory Lodge, Gleann a' Mhaoil bothy
Difficulty
The west coast of Jura walk, a round of the Paps or an ascent of Cruach Scarba should only be considered by fit, experienced walkers with strong navigational skills, as there are no waymarks and no footpaths. Walking on Islay and Colonsay is more accessible, but still requires navigational competence. All walkers should be equipped for rough terrain and wet weather.
Must See
The wild and remote west coast of Jura - one of the British Isles' last great wilderness walks, with spectacular geological formations and abundant wildlife; the Paps of Jura - a rough, tough hill-walking classic; dramatic land and seascapes from the Islay and Colonsay coasts; the small-island summit of Cruach Scarba, rising from the sea between the infamous tidal races of Corryvreckan and the Grey Dog
April 2025
Walks 3 and 7
Walk 3
Day 4, p82, first para:
It is no longer safe or advisable to attempt to walk across the dam at Cairidh Mhor so walk around the lochan instead
Walk 7
p109, first para:
The bridge over the outflow of the Fishing Loch has been removed for safety reasons and the bridge over the Allt Grundale has been swept away. Please use the following directions at the start of the walk instead:
If driving, cross the bridge over the Lussa River, turn sharply left and park on the grassy area a short way along the track; let the estate know if you’re leaving a car there overnight. Return to the road and turn right to recross the bridge. After 200 metres turn left down a track, soon passing a large shed. The metalled track runs out shortly before reaching a stand of trees, bear left to follow the ATV tracks across the often boggy moorland. Climb steadily along the southwestern side of Glen Grundale, following the more distinct ATV tracks winding through the rough moorland landscape.
April 2022
An Cladach bothy - Walks 13 and 14
Having been closed during the pandemic, the bothy will re-open under Dunlossit Estate management at some point in 2022 - under a booking system, for a nominal fee.
August 2021
Colonsay overnight parking
27 August 2021
COLONSAY
We're grateful for this information from Chris Kempster.
'There is a real problem for backpackers/wild campers as there is literally not a single place to park on the island that won't offend landowners or the council (laybys) - as the CalMac car park is currently closed.
Of course you could just go as a foot passenger on the ferry, but there is absolutely no information about the issue of parking on either the CalMac website or the Colonsay tourist website.
The problem is related to OVERNIGHT parking, for those intending to spend a few days on the island backpacking. There is limited parking for day-trippers.
Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
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