Wildlife walks: The Oa
Walks on Islay
The Oa is home to many important breeding and wintering birds making it the perfect place to discover the wildlife that resides on Islay. Here you can catch a glimpse of soaring golden eagles, wild goats, otters, grey seals on the rocky shore or even rare, endangered choughs probing for food.
Walk from the car park over the cliffs to the American Monument and learn about the history of the landmark
Walk overview
Difficulty: Average
Length: You can explore as far or as little as you like, this isn’t a direct trail just venture out and discover.
Directions: Approximately 6 miles southwest of Port Ellen you will find The Oa peninsula.
What to bring: Sun cream, walking boots or similar footwear, a camera, a drink.
Guided walks: Guided walks at The Oa are every Tuesday at 10am and last approximately two hours. Meet at Upper Killeyan car park at RSPB The Oa.
RSPB guide
The RSPB guide says: “The Oa on Islay is a breathtaking reserve of dramatic sea cliffs, open moorland, freshwater lochs, coastal grassland and heath.
The stunning coastal cliffs tower 100m over the often turbulent sea below and rise, at their highest point, to Beinn Mhòr at 202m. Within the folds of cliff face are hidden bays, where tumbling waterfalls terminate the burns and streams that run from the freshwater lochs and peatland bogs inland.”
