- From the junction of the north-easterly side road into Clachan, pick up the footpath beside the A83. Note the date on the bridge wall (1905) passing the next intersection. The path climbs, with views across West Loch Tarbert to the Paps of Jura. After a mile from Clachan, turn right to Ronachan House. The low-lying island of Gigha comes into view to the southwest.
- Follow the driveway for about 110 yards, then turn right along a path beside the burn. As it descends, cross two footbridges, then continue on a path through bracken along the field edge. At the end of the field, cross the driveway Ronachan House is to the right behind you. There is a bridge then the path takes you through a field. The shore and a farm track are to your right. There are good views of the islands of Gigha, Islay and Jura. The track bends left past South Lodge up to the main road.
- Turn right briefly to reach Seal Point car park, cross it and continue along the waymarked path parallel to the shore. Note the sizeable grassy hummock on your right, containing the oval outline of an Iron Age fort. The Kintyre Way continues parallel to the shore. After a few hundred yards, it drops down to the beach. Walk along the shingle for about 100 yards, then return to the path.
- After about half a mile, on your left looking back, the large mound of stones on a crest is the prehistoric Correchrevie burial cairn, the largest of its kind in Kintyre. Continue along the shingle and bypass an old caravan via the shingle, then follow a path to a tiny beach. At its far end, climb a steep bank to the verge. After about 215 yards, cross the A83 with care and continue to join a narrow pavement for a short distance. There is a gap in the wall and a waymarker post. Turn in, bear right and go up through the woodland.
- Near the end of the woodland, you come to a small timber shelter and picnic table. Go through a gate to a farm track, turn to the left, follow the track up, turning to the right. After about 25 yards, with farm buildings ahead, bear right to cross a field, aiming for a blue waymarker. Go through a kissing gate. Follow the waymarked path through the bracken. The path descends into a field, most probably with sheep and continues along the field edge. Cross the field. There are two houses ahead; go through a small gate and turn right. Shortly after, go left across an old bridge over Ballochroy Burn. Follow the path turning right at the end; a little bit of track takes you back to the A83. Cross with care. A waymarker post marks the start of the path back on the shoreside.
- Descend slightly to follow a path parallel to the shore through open woodland. Soft in places, it leads to the northeastern end of a beach. A track leads down to the shingle beach, challenging the walkers and slowing the pace. Follow the beach close to the water’s edge. Depending on the state of the tide, you may need to wade the stream or may have to detour inland.
- A nearby closed fish farm is soon behind you as you continue along the shingle beach. Follow the shoreline, staying on the seaward side of an old fence, to the survey pillar at Rhunahaorine. The view includes Gigha and the coast in both directions. Avoid walking out to the point during late March to June because terns nest here. Cross grassy ground to a fence parallel to the shore. At this point, the path is in the field, fence on your right. Soon you reach a brick-built World War Two lookout, a useful shelter in wet weather. Walk along the beach, soon passing a holiday park. Cross a low-lying point, then a small burn close to the sea.
- After the burn, continue on the sand or, during high tide, the partly grassed verge. Negotiate a couple more small streams to reach another low-lying point. The Ferry terminal for Gigha and Ferry Farm are now in view (B&B and cafe). Follow the raised path in front of the farm buildings. Go through the gate and turn left. Here you’ll find a Kintyre Way information board and toilets. To reach the small village of Tayinloan, follow the road half a mile inland to a T-junction and turn right. The Tayinloan Stores re-opened in April 2023.
scotland’s great trails
