Islay Walks: Ballygrant Woods

Islay walks, and Ballygrant woods offer a truly picturesque, accessible, trek, along a fantastic track, suitable for wheelchairs, bikes and pushchairs, through beautiful woodland along the shores of Loch Ballygrant. It is one of Islay’s beautiful hidden treasures. Fantastic in all weathers, the tall trees offer shelter from wind, rain and sun. It is one of my favourite walks and of course, Tiggy the dog gets to enjoy a good swim in the loch too.

Directions and Parking (and a coffee shop too)

As the name suggests, Ballygrant woods is situated in the village of Ballygrant, a five minute car ride from Persabus (although I quite often walk the whole way from the farmhouse through the woods!).

Heading from Port Askaig, as you drive through the trees at Ballygrant you will then see a line of neat white cottages to your left. On your right is a large white building housing an amazing coffee shop, Craigard Kitchen, a definite ‘must visit’, with or without the walk! Honestly Nicola’s cakes and paninis, soups, and coffees are absolutely delicious.

On your left just after the row of white cottages you will see a single track road, turn left along this single track road. You will drive past the Ballygrant Village Hall, and just a short way further along the single track road you will see a private road, with a carpark for walkers on the left.

This fantastic new parking area, is neatly signposted. The track leads straight from the carpark to the woods, you don’t have to worry about venturing along the roadside at all. It is a wide track though the woods allowing easy access for wheelchair users too, and beside the loch you will find a picnic bench to munch through your takeway from Craigard Kitchen, or if you prefer, take your own ‘pieces’

Ballygrant Woods Walk

You probably won’t need too much convincing to head out on this gentle stroll. It can also be a very good walk too, as the track eventually leads all the way through Dunlossit Woods to the top of the Brae at Port Askaig. Or you can follow it round to the end of the single track road leading to Persabus.

Ballygrant Loch is incredibly beautiful. It has a family of resident swans, and old Crannogs too from a bygone era. The track meets the loch and the view opens up behind the stone wall, don’t worry you will get to access the shores a little further on. At this point though it is definitely worth stopping to soak up the vista. The view from here is of the loch, and the Crannogs, framed with the stunning backdrop of the Paps of Jura in the distance.

The track then leads you up into the woodland. It’s a fantastic autumn walk for kids and the young at Heart as there are always loads of conkers to gather. It takes me right back to my childhood days, scrabbling for conkers. The rich glossy brown of the conker, hidden, until you carefully peel back the outer shell. There’s always loads of leaves and twigs and branches for arty projects too, or why not take a sketch pad along with you?

If you fancy casting a rod into the waters fly fishing is an option and more information on permits and boat hire can be found from Dunlossit Estate Office. Or why not get a lesson in flyfishing? Islay has an excellent teacher, John McCallum, who until recently was on the UK Olympic fly fishing team. You can contact John via his website. He can provide lessons for all ages, and has all the equipment too.

Follow the track on and you come to the shores of the loch. This is Tiggy, our dog’s, favourite bit as there’s plenty of sticks to throw in, and the loch is great for dogs to swim in. If you are a wild swimmer though do remember that these lochs can be incredibly dangerous as they are full of hidden reeds below the surface and also fresh water does not have the natural buoyancy of salt water, so I would not recommend you join the dog for a dip! It is not safe for wild swimming.

If you want to access the woods from the Dunlossit end, check out my blog here, or for more Islay walks I have loads of suggestions here.

And, if you are looking for a good base for your stay, know a warm welcome is offered at our Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast and Cottages on our family farm at Persabus!