Routes on Islay

ShinyBonce

Heading for Islay in August. Can anyone recommend any off-road rides?

77ric

ShinyBonce, i'll be there the week after next, for a few days, i won't have anytime to go riding unfortunately, but i'll scope it out and ask around my family on the island if they know of any. one of my cousins is a game keeper for one of the estates on the island, i'll ask him if he knows of any old trails on the island.

where are you staying?

ShinyBonce

Hi 77ric, any info is very welcome. We are staying at Portnahaven again. Last year we did a bit up the West coast including the short section between Kilchoman & Kilchiaran. I wondered if any longer off-road sections could be strung together to keep away from the tarmac?
Thanks,

77ric

Portnahaven, what a stunningly beautiful little village. I'm staying at Bowmore myself, just behind the distillery

I know that there is a downhillish route down from the old Kilchiaran radar station not sure how long a run it is but is potentially dangerous if you're not experienced, and there is another down the ridge behind the beach at Uiskentuie near Bridgend.

If you can find contact details for a brain palmer, who I believe is based out of the ileach office in Bowmore, he would know more about those particular routes and I would imagine would know of others.

I'm certain that the island in riddled with ancient sheep and deer trails, it's just a case of finding them really.

I will definitely be asking around anyway, I love Islay and would love to take the commie over there, my dream holiday would in fact be a mountain biking and photography holiday on the island based out of the red lodge on the Laggan estate.

woodywmb

I took the MTB to Islay, armed with OS mapping. Stayed at Port Ellen and cycled on road to Post Askaig to try out some of the doubletrack over to Bunnahabhain, as shown on the map. The forest paths were closed off with 9ft high deer fences and gates. These were padlocked and had signs stating that entry was forbidden and the estates privately owned. There are loads of tiny tarred roads but I couldn't find any mountain biking.