Kilchoman Distillery to Saligo Bay

0.00 km – In the Kilchoman visitor car park continue STRAIGHT ON to leave the distillery on the wide gravel track leading to the road (that the taxi drove you in on). 

0.70 km – At the T-junction with the tarred single-track road TURN LEFT to leave the distillery grounds and walk along the road taking care of traffic.  As you walk look up to the cliffs and Kilchoman church on the rise. 

1.50 km – At the junction with the Machir Bay (1 mile) signpost on your left TURN RIGHT to follow another single-track road to Saligo.  Stay on the road for 2.7 km with views over Loch Gorm on your right-hand side. 

4.20 km – After passing Saligo cottages on your left-hand side continue STRAIGHT ON to cross a low stone-walled bridge.  Then TURN LEFT to pass through the gate signposted Saligo Farm and continue on a wide farm track between two abandoned buildings.  [Please heed any notices about lambing season that are displayed here.]

5.50 km – Do not ross the cattle grid to continue into Smaull farm but TURN LEFT off the well-defined gravel track onto a vague grassy track on the left-hand side of the fence.  Follow this grassy track on the right-hand side of a high-fenced area ahead. 

5.60 km – At the far right-hand corner of the fenced area BEAR LEFT to follow the track towards the shore. 

5.70 km – Pass a concrete block then BEAR RIGHT and curve left down to the coast.  In 200 m you’ll reach two small standing stones/grave-sights at the shoreline on the grass – TURN LEFT here to follow the grassy track along the coastline keeping a safe distance from the edge. 

5.90 km - Continue STRAIGHT ON to descend and walk across the small beach with a stream flowing across it.  Pick up another vague grassy track just on the left of the rocky outcrop on the opposite side of the beach. 

6.40 km – Once on the other side of the beach continue STRAIGHT ON following the coastline on a vague narrow grassy path over the machir weaving between low rocky outcrops. 

6.60 km – BEAR LEFT around the headland knoll after the rocky section of path then BEAR RIGHT to round the knoll and continue to follow the coastline again.  You’ll now have a view of Saligo Bay stretching out ahead of you. 

6.70 km – Here you can either continue STRAIGHT ON to follow the grassy dune path (as the GPX tracks and route notes do) or descend here via the grassy gully to the beach so you can enjoy a 300 m walk along the beach.  Please follow the advice of the notices here and don't swim in the sea here due to the strong undercurrents.  [Follow the beach for 300 m before turning left to rejoin the path back to the road.]

6.90 km – BEAR LEFT on the grassy track behind the dune away from the coast. 

7.00 km – In a grassy depression continue STRAIGHT ON to follow the vague grassy track ou of the depression then descend to meet a track coming up from the beach and TURN LEFT to walk away from the coast to the abandoned buildings. 

7.20 km – After following the grassy track to the buildings TURN RIGHT onto the well-defined farm track and pass through the gate and TURN RIGHT onto the single-track road.  Continue STRAIGHT ON the road passing Saligo cottages on your right-hand side for 2.9 km. 

10.20 km – For the detour to Machir Bay TURN RIGHT at the T-junction and follow the Machair Bay (1 mile) signpost on the single-track road as it descends to the coast.  The road becomes a gravel track, follow it into the car park then choose your sand path down to the long white sand beach of Machir Bay.  Please follow the advice of the notices here and don't swim in the sea here due to the strong undercurrents. 

11.50 km – After enjoying the beach walk back up the way you came to the junction with the Machir Bay signpost and continue STRAIGHT ON ascending slightly. 

12.20 km – TURN RIGHT off the road onto the wide gravel track leading back into Kilchoman distillery.  Follow the track into the visitor car park. 

12.90 km – Finish the walk in the distillery visitor car park.  Why not head to the café for some refreshments while you await your taxi transfer to Port Charlotte.