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The Lossit River winding through the dunes to the sand and the sea.
Isle of Islay

Lossit Bay

A remote crescent of golden sand backed by dunes on the wild west coast of the Rhinns of Islay.

Welcome

Lossit Bay is a crescent of golden sand backed by dunes, set among green hills on the wild west coast of the Rhinns of Islay, the most southerly of the island's west-coast bays and, to many who know Islay, its finest beach.

The Lossit River winds out through the dunes to the sea, and dark headlands of rock close in on either side of the sand, with the Atlantic swell rolling straight in.

It rarely draws a crowd. The bay is remote, there is no car park, and the way down crosses a farmer's field where a bull is sometimes kept, as the sign on the gate says. The farmer has asked that the route is not spread about, so take care, never park in the passing places, and respect the land. The sea here is the real danger: the beach is exposed, with strong waves and currents, and there is no lifeguard, so it is a place to walk and look rather than swim.

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Not farCaol Ila DistilleryThe distillery on the Sound of Islay near Port Askaig, the Islay Home of Johnnie Walker, with tours from £21 and views to Jura.18 milesSee itCaol Ila Distillery
Before you go

There is no car park, and parking in the passing places on the road is not allowed.

The field on the way to the beach sometimes holds a bull. There is no lifeguard, and the sea is rough.

Getting there
CalMac’s ferry from Kennacraig sails to Port Askaig while Port Ellen is closed for upgrades (from 2 June 2026, expected to reopen in 2029); Port Askaig is about 20.8 miles from Port Ellen. Or fly from Glasgow to Islay Airport.
Parking
None; not in passing places.
Sea
Strong waves and currents; no lifeguard.

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Where it is

The west coast of the Rhinns of Islay.

Close byOn the west coast of the Rhinns.
  1. The whitewashed front of An Tigh Seinnse in Portnahaven, its windows and door picked out in red.An Tigh SeinnseA traditional pub by the harbour in Portnahaven, serving homemade dishes and fresh local seafood, with takeaway coffees.3 miles 6 min by road
  2. The white cottages of Portnahaven round the head of the inlet, a small sandy beach below.PortnahavenA village of whitewashed cottages round a sheltered inlet at the tip of the Rhinns, where seals haul out.3 miles 8 min by road
  3. The lighthouse on Orsay small on the skyline, dark rocks and still water in front.Rhinns of Islay LighthouseIslay's oldest lighthouse, a Robert Stevenson tower of 1825 on the island of Orsay off Portnahaven.3 miles 8 min by road
  4. The drive up to An Gleann, a white cottage behind its gate and hedges.An Gleann TabletA cottage confectioner near Port Charlotte making tablet by hand, some of it with Islay and Jura malts.5 miles 11 min by road
  5. Port Charlotte HotelPort Charlotte HotelA small hotel by the beach in Port Charlotte, with sea-view rooms, seafood platters and live music in summer.7 miles 18 min by road
  6. Surf breaking on dark rocks at Laggan Bay, the dunes and white farmhouses beyond.Laggan BayThe Big Strand: about six miles of sand on Laggan Bay, Islay's longest beach, backed by high dunes.29 miles 61 min by road
Directions
White-washed Bruichladdich Distillery buildings with turquoise-framed windows and a tall chimneyAttractionsBruichladdich Distillery9.4 miles
The dark green hide at Loch Gruinart, set low in the grass.AttractionsLoch Gruinart16 miles
Peatzeria's whitewashed building on Shore Street, Bowmore, with its belfry and pointed windows.RestaurantsPeatzeria18 miles
The long white building of the Celtic House on the corner, its windows along two streets.ShoppingThe Celtic House18 miles
The whitewashed front of the Bowmore Hotel on Jamieson Street, its name across the gable.RestaurantsBowmore Hotel18 miles
Bowmore Distillery, Isle of IslayAttractionsBowmore Distillery18 miles
Bowmore, Isle of IslayAttractionsBowmore18 miles
The Harbour Inn and its neighbours by the harbour in Bowmore, the loch beyond.RestaurantsHarbour Inn18 miles

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CollectionScotland's Best Beaches
More on Islay
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