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We’ve booked a few days on Islay, sailing into Port Askaig. The obvious thing to do is to wait for the motors to leave and then follow the A846 away from the port, but the OS map shows a track just south of the road, which passes Lochs Allan and Ballygrant. On Google, this track has 'no motor vehicles' signs at either end. So, does anyone know if it’s rideable - if we start on it and get shouted at, my wife will be very unhappy with me, but it looks like it should be pretty.
Also, can we get Dun Bhoraraic (broch) for a nose without upsetting locals?
And do I need to bump this for visibility?
And do I need to bump this for visibility?
No, it was just fine
Strava heatmaps has a noticeable if slightly faint line on that path so yes must be ridden from time to time
Fantastic, thank you - it hadn’t occurred to me to look at the heatmaps (heard of them but never looked). I think we’ll chance it, based on that.
Let me know how you go - we're there in September. 👌
A roads on Islay are fine. Everyone in a car waves at you as they drive past. I thought they really liked folk on bikes but realised everyone waves to every other car they see. Bikes get included.
It was a very pleasant trip. That track was nice, but only starts after you’ve climbed the hill out of the port - I would still use it again. That climb is a bit of a beast straight from the ferry. Traffic was light enough not to be the reason to detour (do it for its own sake!) and, in fact on Saturday returning to the port we stayed on the road for variety.
We had intended to wild camp on the west coast, but when we got there, the SW wind meant it was sheltered, so midgey. Instead we headed back to Port Mor campsite (east facing) and spent some money in the community. Facilities were good and clean, and space was plentiful - also happy for us to strike late, allowing us time for a leisurely unladen tour before moving on. The other campsite is closed for the year.
We stayed in Bowmore the next two nights. A good central location, from which we took a spin to Port Ellen and along the distilleries road (and beyond). The westerly wind was impressive getting back, and as a mainly side wind on the A846. The segregated path along the coast is pretty good.
Returning to Port Askaig, we took the smaller roads, as far as Ballygrant. Saw 2 cars in total between Bridgend and Ballygrant! There is a segregated path from Ballygrant to the top of the hill at Port Askaig, but it didn’t look terribly rideable.
We’re already considering when we will return. And neither of us even likes whisky!
A roads on Islay are fine. Everyone in a car waves at you as they drive past. I thought they really liked folk on bikes but realised everyone waves to every other car they see. Bikes get included.
Great isn’t it! I kept wondering if everyone thought I was someone they knew.
Off the beaten track is possibly the best Bothy in Scotland, An Cladach. I remember walking the length of Jura back in 2004 after a getting a charter boat over to a wee settlement on the nnorth east of Jura. God it was wet, we stayed at Glengarrisdale then walked to Craighouse and got a lift to the ferry the next day after sampling the delights of the Jura distillery (my road bike still has the name sake!). We took that track from Port Askaig and walked to An Cladach and stayed a night there, eating dried smoked sausages on the beach with a few drams of Jura. It's a beautiful spot and worth visiting, although I fear it's now partially closed due to a certain Bothy book publicising it as suitable for couples!