Route: Kilchattan Bay
Area: Scotland, Isle of Bute
Date of walk: 9th September 2025
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.2 miles
Ascent: 700 feet
Weather: Overcast and dull, several rainshowers
From our base on the shore of Loch Striven we could see The Isle of Bute in the distance, perhaps 10 miles away as the bird flies. However, thanks to the nature of the terrain, it takes a long car journey to get there. It took us over an hour to drive to Colintraive on mainland Argyll, from where we took the Calmac Ferry across the Kyles of Bute. This is a narrow stretch of water and we landed on the Isle of Bute after a short five minute ride
We then drove south to the shoreline village of Kilchattan Bay, the starting point for today’s walk. We parked near the old jetty and walked along the street until it ended – there are no roads beyond this point. The route we’d chosen follows the long distance West Island Way, and marker posts pointed out the way ahead, which hugged the coastline. Further along, as we approached the cliffs, a sign indicated ‘very rough track ahead’ which made us slightly nervous but our worries were groundless. The path was narrow and quite rough but there was no exposure, nor any undue difficulty
The small lighthouse on Rubh an Eun eventually came into view, a scenic highlight of the walk, but this coincided with a heavy downfall of rain and we wondered whether to treat this as a linear walk and return the way we’d come. We waited for a while and when the rain stopped we continued around the coast, enduring a few more showers along the way. We walked around Glencallum Bay and then turned inland at a point where there is a lovely view over Loch na Leighe. We walked beside the loch over undulating ground before arriving at another scenic highlight, the ancient ruined chapel of St Blane’s. The chapel dates back to the 12th century and is set in a very atmospheric location. An up and a down followed as we made our way back to Kilchattan Bay to end a walk which we’d greatly enjoyed, despite the indifferent weather
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
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Our base for a short stay on the Cowan Peninsula was Point Cottage, with a wonderful view along Loch Striven
We had good wildlife sightings from here, including dolphins, red squirrels, otters and this white tailed eagle
After a drive and a short ferry journey we parked near the old jetty in Kilchattan Bay, here looking across the Firth of Clyde to Great Cumbrae Island and the mainland
We walk along the road leading out of Kilchattan Bay
The road narrows to a track beyond the village
We are following a section of the long distance West Island Way
The road ends and here starts a wonderful coastal path...
As we approach a cliff, a warning sign makes the heart beat a little faster
The path is indeed quite rough and narrow but it's not difficult or dangerous as long as you watch your step
Little Cumbrae Island
Strong winds were propelling this yacht along at a rate of knots
An eroded section where handrails assist progress
We continue along the West Island Way
Looking back along the rugged coastline
The little lighthouse on Rubh an Eun comes into view...
It started raining heavily at this point, so we waited to see if the weather would improve
When the rain stopped we resumed our walk, turning west at this sign. The northern end of Arran and the conical shape of Holy Island can just be seen in the distance
We walk around Glencallum Bay
Looking back to the lighthouse on Rubh an Eun
Beyond the bay the path rises
Looking back along Glencallum Bay
The path becomes grassier and less rocky as we head towards a marker post
Looking across to Little Cumbrae
Views of the Isle of Arran in the distance...
We pass above Loch na Leighe, and will shortly follow a path to its left
A final view of the Isle of Arran before we turn inland...
...and a final glance back along our path, with Little Cumbrae beyond
We now head inland over undulating grassy ground
Looking back to Loch na Leighe below Torr Mor
We head towards a farmhouse named 'The Plan' on the OS map
We follow a sign to St Blane's which takes us to the right of the farmhouse
We climb steadily uphill
We pass by the ruins of St Blane's Chapel
This was once the capital of Bute. The ruins date back to the twelfth century
Looking back to St Blane's Chapel as we climb uphill
Views of Stravanan Bay and the west coast of Bute as we turn east to head back to Kilchattan Bay...
We head towards the hill of Suidhe Chatain and follow a path to its right. It's possible to take a short there and back detour to the summit for an extensive view over Bute
Start of the easy descent back to Kilchattan Bay...
We leave the West Island Way and pass between the houses to arrive at the road through Kilchattan Bay. We turn right and from here it's a short stroll back to the start
We arrive back at the old jetty to end a fantastic walk
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