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Walking on Jura, Islay and Colonsay

23 wild walks in the Southern Hebrides

ISBN

9781852849795

Availability

Published

6 Aug 2019

Edition

Third

Pages

240

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.40cm

Weight

270g

Delivery & Returns

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.
More information...

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.

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

ISBN

9781852849795

Availability

Published

6 Aug 2019

Edition

Third

Pages

240

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.40cm

Weight

270g

Delivery & Returns

Overview

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

Table of Contents

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

Updates

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.

By Peter Edwards

Since moving to Scotland from the south of England in 2006, Peter has developed a passion for the Hebrides. He lives at Rhenigidale on the Isle of Harris with his wife, Fiona, and their Labradors, Dougal and Mara.

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