recommended route
Clachan to Tayinloan
-
Coastal walkingPhoto: Robbie Thurley, Macs Adventure
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Safety information
A fair section of this route follows the main road from Campbeltown to Glasgow, therefore traffic can be quite fast moving and includes some large vehicles. After the initial 2km the pavement runs out so make sure you take care and walk on the right-hand side of the road towards any oncoming traffic and take to the grass verge when possible.Tips and hints
Points of interest
Isle of Gigha
Gigha is a low-lying island with an interesting history, unspoiled scenery and a coastline around 30 miles long. It has an abundance of wildlife including seabirds, dolphins, seals and otters. Creag Bhan is the highest point on the island at only 100m (330ft) but offers walkers amazing panoramic views across to Jura, Islay, Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland, the Mull of Kintyre and Arran. Ferries take only 20 minutes to cross the Sound of Gigha and leave regulary throughout the day from Tayinloan pier.
https://www.calmac.co.uk/article/2970/Gigha-Tayinloan---Gigha
Food & Drink
You can purchase snacks at the service/gas station in Clachan, but from here there is nowhere to stop enroute for further provisions until you reach Tayinloan. There is a cafe at the ferry pier and a store in the centre of the village.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
0.00 km – Begin where the route to Clachan ends, at the junction of the main road past Clachan, TURN RIGHT in the direction of Campbeltown and follow the pavement along this road - take care there could be fast-flowing traffic on this road.
1.20 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON and as the road ascends there are some good views across the water to Jura.
2.00 km – TURN RIGHT between the stone gate pillars and follow the gravel road as you head towards Ronachan House.
2.10 km – BEAR RIGHT off the road at the blue waymaker to follow the muddy trail through the trees. After 100m you then cross a couple of wooden bridges.
2.50 km – BEAR LEFT on approach to Ronachan House, then descend the stone steps and cross a small wooden bridge.
2.60 km – Gigha island now comes into view ahead of you. Continue STRAIGHT ON to follow the trail through quite overgrown bracken. If it’s too overgrown then use the gravel track just parallel to it (be aware this is a private road for the estate grounds).
2.70 km – Cross a wooden stile then TURN LEFT to follow the gravel track past South Lodge.
2.90 km – At the junction TURN RIGHT to re-join the main road for a short distance. There is no pavement here so walk on the right side of the road towards oncoming traffic and take to the grass verge whenever you can.
3.10 km – TURN RIGHT off the main road, just past a small parking area, then pick up the waymarked path to BEAR LEFT alongside the shore. Again this is quite overgrown and can be boggy in places.
3.40 km – Join a shingle beach for a short way and continue STRAIGHT ON.
4.00 km – After a small wooden bridge continue STRAIGHT ON to join another shingle beach.
4.20 km – Cross the beach (if the tide is high then you should join the road earlier) then ascend a steep bank to join the road.
4.40 km – After a small parking area TURN RIGHT to follow the blue waymarker through the bushes and onto another shingle beach.
4.90 km – TURN LEFT at the end of the beach to re-join the main road then TURN RIGHT. Please mote there is no pavement here and traffic ca be fast flowing so please take care.
5.30 km – TURN LEFT to cross the road towards a small stone wall with a blue waymarker then head through woodland on a muddy trail.
5.50 km – Go through the metal gate then continue STRAIGHT ON up the gravel track.
5.60 km – BEAR LEFT past the red corrugated barn then BEAR RIGHT to cross a small field.
5.80 km – TURN LEFT through a small metal gate then, after skirting the hillside, descend to continue to BEAR LEFT across another field.
6.10 km – BEAR RIGHT at the telegraph pole just next to some bushes and cross the field towards the white house.
6.30 km – Go through the metal gate, closing it behind you as there may be livestock in this field, then TURN RIGHT onto a gravel lane. After 50m TURN LEFT following a narrow track between trees.
6.50 km – TURN RIGHT to re-join the main road.
7.10 km – There is the option to TURN RIGHT here and join the beach.
7.40 km – As the road bears left by a small parking area, TURN RIGHT to join the beach then follow this for ~3.3 km. There may be opportunities to take to the high grass verge if the tide is very high or if you find the going tough.
10.70 km – Towards the end of the beach BEAR LEFT at the barbed wire fence towards a blue waymaker across grassland.
11.20 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON following the perimeter fence as you round the point and head towards a red brick WWII look-out post.
11.40 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON past the look-out post then BEAR RIGHT at the waymarker to take to the beach.
12.40 km – If the tide is high and you aren’t walking directly on the beach at this point you will need to cross a small stream, then continue STRAIGHT ON following the shoreline.
13.30 km – As you round the next small headland you will see Tayinloan ferry pier directly ahead of you. The ferries to Gigha depart from here.
14.00 km – On approach to the pier BEAR LEFT at the blue waymaker then go through a small wooden gate once reaching the carpark.
14.20 km – Cross the carpark then continue STRAIGHT ON to follow the road into Tayinloan.
15.00 km – TURN RIGHT at the junction to cross the stone bridge.
15.10 km – Finish your walk here opposite the Tayinloan Store and Post Office.
Questions and answers
Would you like to the ask the author a question?
Rating
Help others by being the first to add a review.
Photos from others