Killinallan Point

Directions: From Bridgend, drive towards Bruichladdich and follow the signs from the main road after Black Rock for Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve. As you reach the Gruinart Flats, follow the sign towards Killinallan (right), which will take you along the eastern shore of Loch Gruinart, passing Craigens Farm. Follow the single track road all the way to the end and park your car on the left just before the gate.

Walk: Cross the gate and follow the main track for about 100m until you see the arrow on the rock pointing left. Walk towards the shore and cross the next gate. Enter the beach and head right. The first part of the beach is quite rocky with tidal pools, and later you reach a beautiful sandy beach. Keep following the beach until you reach the high dunes in the distance. In the autumn, the dunes witness the arrival of thousands of barnacle geese from Iceland. Along the beach, gulls, oystercatchers and other waders are visible, especially at low tide, and seals can be spotted on the sand bank in the middle of the loch. Towards the end of the walk, the soft sand makes walking slightly harder but the views from Killinallan Point are stunning. You can see Ardnave Point on the other side of the Loch. Further along the beach after the headland, you see a few miles of beach backed by the hills of north Islay. Return back along the beach to your starting point.