Kildalton Cross – An Ancient High Cross and Lunch at Ardbeg
A few hours.
The route
Kildalton Cross has stood in the churchyard of a roofless chapel on Islay's south-east coast since the 700s, and it's one of the finest early Christian crosses in Scotland.
The road there runs past Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg, and lunch is at Ardbeg's Old Kiln Café, 9 minutes' drive back along it.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
None of ours is close by: the nearest is The Hollies, 38 miles away. Sleeps 18.
The day
Kildalton
The old churchyard at Kildalton, at the end of the south-east coast road, then back along it to lunch at Ardbeg.
About two hours
Kildalton Cross
An attraction
The road east from Port Ellen runs past Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg, then turns single track for the last four miles to the chapel. Park at the roadside by the chapel, leaving the passing places clear. The High Cross stands in the churchyard of the roofless chapel, carved from a single slab of grey-green stone in the 700s. Look for David fighting a lion, Cain and Abel, and the Virgin and Child on its faces. Around it lie medieval carved grave slabs, and outside the wall stands a plainer cross nicknamed the Thief's Cross. It's free, with no gate or staff: go in daylight, and keep dogs on a lead.
9 min by car
The Old Kiln Café, Ardbeg
Lunch
Lunch is at the Old Kiln Café in Ardbeg's visitor centre, 9 minutes' drive back along the same road. From October to March it opens Monday to Friday: coffee and home baking from 10am, then lunch from noon to last orders at 3.30pm, with soup, smoked haddock chowder, open sandwiches and pies. It takes no bookings for small groups, so there may be a short wait. The visitor centre is step-free, and dogs may come into the shop on a short lead but not the café. If it's full, SeaSalt in Port Ellen serves lunch from noon to 2pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
If it rains
In rain, the cross is a few steps from the car and the café is indoors; leave the walk round the grave slabs for a drier day.
Where to stay