Islay Walks: Ballygrant Woods

Islay walks, and Ballygrant woods offer a truly picturesque, accessible, trek. This fantastic track is suitable for wheelchairs, bikes and pushchairs. Enjoy exploring the 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. 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. Hop in the car and it’s a five minute car ride from Persabus. I quite often walk the whole way from the farmhouse through the woods!

Head from Port Askaig. As you drive through the trees at Ballygrant you will then see a line of neat white cottages. On your right is 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.

Take the first left, along the single track road. You will pass Ballygrant Village Hall. Just a short way further along the single track road you will see a private road. The carpark for walkers is on the left.

This fantastic new parking area, is neatly signposted. With a track leading straight from the carpark you won’t even have to worry about venturing along the road. Ideally the track allows easy access for wheelchair users too. I highly recommend grabbing a takeaway from ‘Craigard Kitchen’, or taking your own ‘pieces’. As beside the shores of the loch there is a picnic bench. Who can’t resist munching through an alfresco lunch beside in such a picturesque setting?

Ballygrant Woods Walk

You probably won’t need too much convincing to head out on this gentle stroll. With the track eventually leading to the top so the Brae at Port Askaig. So if you want a longer walk, after that lunch, continue through Dunlossit Woods . You can even 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. As the track meets the loch, gorgeous views open up, behind an old stone wall. Don’t worry you will get to access the shores later on in the walk. At this point though, it is definitely worth stopping to soak up the vista. The panorama of Loch Ballygrant with the Paps of Jura in the distance is simply stunning.

The track then leads you on, up into the woodland.

In the autumn 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. My kids loved these walks, and still do! For little ones, there’s always loads of leaves and twigs and branches for arty projects to collect for arty projects. Or why not take a sketch pad or watercolours along with you?

Fly Fishing

Fancy casting a rod into the waters? Fly fishing is an option. For more information on permits and boat hire pop along to

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.

Loch Ballygrant

Follow the track on and you come to the shores of Loch Ballygrant. This is Tiggy, our dog’s, favourite bit. There’s always plenty of sticks to throw into the water. 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. They are full of hidden reeds below the surface. Fresh water does not have the natural buoyancy of salt water. I definitely would not recommend joining the dog for a dip! It is not safe for wild swimming.

If you want to access the woods from the Dunlossit end, closer to Persabus, check out my blog here.

For more Islay walks I have loads of suggestions here. Enjoy my blogs capturing those walks, and grab your boots, what’s not to love?

Are you are looking for a good base for your stay? Know there is always a warm welcome in our Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast and Cottages on our family farm at Persabus!