Claggain Bay

The walk down to Claggain Bay rewards you with one of Islay's most dramatic stretches of coastline - a proper wild spot that feels genuinely remote despite being accessible by foot. The beach itself is scattered with weathered rocks and driftwood, backed by steep cliffs that loom impressively above the shoreline. On a clear day the views across to Jura are striking; on a grey one, which is more often the case, the whole scene turns moody and cinematic.

This is walkers' territory, not a lazing-on-the-sand kind of place. The final descent is steep enough that you'll feel it in your thighs on the way back up, and the beach is only really manageable at lower tide - come when the water's high and you're stuck on the rocks. Most people allow a couple of hours round trip from the nearest parking area, longer if you're taking photos or just sitting with a thermos watching the Atlantic roll in.

Families with young children or anyone not keen on a proper hike should skip this one. For coastal walkers and landscape photographers, though, it's well worth the trip. The nearest town of Port Ellen is about twenty minutes' drive away, making it an easy half-day excursion if you're staying at one of the island's accommodation options like Islay Glamping Pods.

The bay works well as part of a wider Islay coastal route - combine it with other walks in the area for a proper day out exploring the island's more rugged edges.